Fortuna Acupuncture

10/12/2025

Did you know most insurance policies cover acupuncture? And if you don't use your benefits before the end of the year, you lose them! Caltrans, college of the Redwoods, Cal poly Humboldt, Open door, Providence, Cal Pers, have benefits!
You can find out about yours by filling out the form at

https://fortuna-acupuncture.org/insurance/

10/07/2025

offering acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the whole family

10/07/2025

NOW IN NETWORK WITH CIGNA!!!!!

ALSO ACCEPTING PARTNERSHIP HEALTH PLAN
BLUE SHIELD
ANTHEM BLUE CROSS
AETNA
WESTERN UNITED HEALTH
PACE

IF YOU ARE CURIOUS IF YOUR INSURANCE HAS ACUPUNCTURE BENEFITS FILL OUT THE INSURANCE FORM @
https://fortuna-acupuncture.org

offering acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the whole family

08/16/2025

Chinese Medicine has a long history in the treatment of acute pathogenic disease. Chinese Medicine is well known for the treatment of pain, however, 2000 plus years ago, the barefoot doctors were traveling village to village to cure epidemic disease, as this is what plagued the population of the time. It is my observation that since the Covid era, pathogens are affecting our population with increased virulence. Even before Covid times, the beginning of the school year is well known for viruses to run through classrooms, schools, and communities. Here at Fortuna Acupuncture we carry a full line of Chinese Herbal Medicines, for the prevention of, and the treatment for acute respiratory and digestive cold and flus. Our herbal pharmacy stocks herbs for children as well as adults. It is a good idea to start preventative immune-building herbal treatment at the beginning of the school year, before the weather changes. If you, or your child does become sick, changing from a preventive to a first-stage cold or flu remedy can shorten the duration of the illness and help ease symptoms. For those children who are asthmatic, or tend to have lingering symptoms of cough after a cold of flu, changing to a middle-stage formula often helps these kids move through the “Humboldt Crud” faster while reducing the tendency for coughs to linger. Twenty-minute herbal consultations are available on a phone or zoom call to help dial in the best formula for the stage of the pathogenic factor. Note, herbal consultations are not covered by insurance benefits.

offering acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the whole family

08/02/2025

Let Acupuncture Help You Get Better Sleep

It’s the middle of the night, usually between 2am and 4am, and you’re desperately searching for the elusive Sandman to bring you a dream, any dream, that will quiet your mind and make sleep less of a stranger. You resist the urge to scroll through your phone because that just may be the reason you are still awake now.
You’ve tried melatonin, over the counter and prescription medication, before bed teas, sleep routines, and nothing works to get you feeling rested when your alarm does go off. Desperate and exhausted, you’re looking for something with fewer side effects than the grogginess and fogginess you’re currently experiencing. Look no further than your local acupuncturist.
Ancient Roots but a Modern Problem
Sleep disorders are alarmingly common. According to the American Sleep Association, 50 to 70 million adults in the U.S. experience sleep disorders. Insomnia tops the list, with difficulty falling or staying asleep affecting approximately 30% of adults. Conventional treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), medication, and lifestyle changes. While these methods are often effective, many people find themselves seeking alternative approaches that are natural, holistic, and non-habit forming.
That’s where acupuncture comes in. With its tiny needles and energy-flow theories, acupuncture might seem far removed from Western science. Yet, modern research is increasingly validating its use as a legitimate and effective treatment for sleep disorders.
How Acupuncture Works
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, insomnia and other sleep disturbances are believed to result from an imbalance in the flow of qi, considered the body’s vital life energy. This energy flows through meridians or pathways. When this flow is blocked or disrupted — often due to stress, lifestyle factors, or illness — it can manifest as physical or mental symptoms, including insomnia.
Acupuncture seeks to restore balance by stimulating specific points along these meridians with ultra-fine needles, encouraging the body to heal itself. Depending on the root cause of the sleep issues, an acupuncturist might target points to calm the mind, improve digestion, reduce anxiety, or support liver or heart function — all of which can affect sleep.
From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture is believed to work by stimulating the nervous system, increasing blood flow, and triggering the release of endorphins, melatonin, and serotonin, neurochemicals associated with relaxation, mood regulation, and sleep.

What Does the Research Say?
Numerous scientific studies support the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating insomnia and other sleep-related issues:
A 2020 meta-analysis published in Sleep Medicine Reviews concluded that acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture and medication in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia symptoms.
Another study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture increased nocturnal melatonin secretion, improved total sleep time, and reduced waking during the night .

It’s not just about falling asleep either. Many people who turn to acupuncture report improved sleep depth, fewer nighttime awakenings, and better daytime energy. It seems that rather than acting like a sedative, acupuncture gently helps to reset the body’s internal rhythms.
Rather than treating just the symptom (poor sleep), acupuncturists explore underlying causes, whether it’s stress, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance, or emotional trauma. Treatment usually begins with a detailed intake session where the practitioner examines the patient’s lifestyle, emotional state, diet, and physical condition. The treatment plan evolves over time, and many patients notice improvements in other areas of health as well.

Common Acupuncture Points for Sleep
Acupuncturists choose different points depending on the individual’s symptoms, but some commonly used ones for sleep include:

Yin Tang (between the eyebrows): Known for calming the mind.
Shen Men (on the ear or wrist): Often used to treat anxiety and restlessness.

Heart 7 (Shenmen): Helps regulate the heart, both physically and emotionally.

Spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao): Influences the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians, crucial for hormone balance and relaxation.

Anmian: Literally means “peaceful sleep,” located behind the ear.

07/24/2025

Though Traditional Chinese Medical history dates back THOUSANDS of years, it was only around the 1970s that acupuncture was first accepted by the United States as a formal medical practice. A lot has changed in the past 50 years and yet acupuncture continues to be a leader in the movement toward more safe, natural, and anti-narcotic medical protocols. We urge you to explore your benefit opportunities offered by your insurance plan. You may be paying for it, so you might as well use it. It certainly could not hurt! There's a good chance that acupuncture and TCM are an included benefits.

https://fortuna-acupuncture.org/insurance/

05/22/2025

Acupuncture benefits for medical patients are on the chopping block. If someone you know is or has benefited from acupuncture please sign the petition.

Stop CA Medi-Cal Cuts to Acupuncture Benefits

05/12/2025

Are you or do you know and love a teacher? Fortuna Acupuncture is now in network with North Coast Schools insurance policy. Teachers can get acupuncture for $6 share of cost after the small deductible is met. May is metal health awareness month and teachers have stressful jobs so we are getting the word out. Please let the teachers and school employees know!

05/07/2025

May is mental health awareness month.
One of the best healing modalites for mental health is Acupuncture.

04/12/2025

Acupuncture as a Treatment for Allergies

Allergies affect millions of people worldwide, causing symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions. Conventional treatments typically involve antihistamines, corticosteroids, or immunotherapy, but these approaches often address only the symptoms rather than the root cause. As people seek more holistic and natural treatments, acupuncture has emerged as a popular alternative therapy for managing allergies.

The Connection Between Acupuncture and Allergies
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances such as pollen, dust, or certain foods. This overreaction triggers the release of histamines, leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and swelling. The goal of acupuncture in treating allergies is to regulate the immune system and reduce the body’s hypersensitive response to allergens.

One of the main ways acupuncture is thought to help with allergies is by reducing inflammation. Studies have shown that acupuncture can decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play a key role in allergic reactions. Additionally, acupuncture may help modulate the immune system by balancing the activity of T-helper cells, which are involved in allergic responses.

Research on Acupuncture for Allergies
The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating allergies has been the subject of numerous studies. A significant body of research suggests that acupuncture can provide relief for allergy sufferers, although the results are not universally consistent.

One of the most comprehensive studies on this topic was published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine in 2015. The study involved 422 patients who suffered from allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture, sham acupuncture (a placebo treatment), or no treatment at all. After eight weeks, those who received real acupuncture reported significantly greater improvement in their symptoms compared to the sham acupuncture and control groups. The benefits were also observed to last for up to 12 weeks after the treatment ended.

How Acupuncture is Administered for Allergies
When treating allergies with acupuncture, a practitioner will typically focus on points related to the lungs, spleen, stomach, and large intestine, as these organs are believed to be involved in the immune response and the production of mucus. Common acupuncture points for allergies include:

LI 20 (Large Intestine 20): Located on either side of the nose, this point is often used to relieve nasal congestion.

Yingxiang (Welcome Fragrance): This point is located near the base of the nose and is also used to treat sinus and nasal issues.

LI 4 (Large Intestine 4): Found on the hand between the thumb and index finger, this point is believed to boost the immune system and alleviate symptoms like headaches and congestion.

ST 36 (Stomach 36): Located on the lower leg, this point is thought to strengthen the immune system and improve overall energy.

The number of sessions required can vary depending on the severity of the allergies and the individual’s response to treatment. Some patients may experience relief after just a few sessions, while others may need ongoing treatment, especially during allergy season.

Patients considering acupuncture for allergies should consult with a qualified practitioner and discuss their medical history, current medications, and overall treatment goals. It is also essential to choose a licensed and experienced acupuncturist, as improper needle placement or technique can lead to complications.

Acupuncture offers a promising alternative or complementary approach for managing allergies, particularly for those seeking natural and holistic treatment options. While research indicates that acupuncture can reduce allergy symptoms and improve quality of life, more high-quality studies are needed to establish its efficacy definitively. Patients interested in acupuncture for allergies should consult with a healthcare provider to ensure it is a safe and appropriate option for their specific condition.