Basic Balance Acupuncture

About Basic Balance, PLLC

Acupuncture can help with all types of pain conditions, improve emotional states like anxiety and depression, benefit women's health by alleviating PMS and menopausal symptoms, improve sleep, help you quit smoking, and so much more! Visit www.basicbalancekeene.com for more information or to schedule a complementary consultation or acupuncture session with me at my clinic in Keene, located at 67 Winter Street.

What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is the insertion of micro-fine needles into the skin to elicit a physiological response within the body. It is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which dates back at least 2000 years. ​ ​ What does acupuncture do? ​ While western medicine stimulates healing from the outside-in, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine stimulate healing from the inside-out. Our bodies know how to heal themselves and they naturally produce anti-inflammatories, enkephalins, immune compounds, hormones etc. In fact, many effective pharmaceutical drugs just mimic these compounds. Acupuncture stimulates our body’s own internal resources to increase this self-healing potential. ​ ​ How does acupuncture work? ​ Although medical research has proven that acupuncture works, the mechanism via which it works is still unknown. It has been shown to improve circulation, increase endorphins, regulate neurotransmitters, release anti-inflammatory compounds, activate key brain regulatory centers, and block pain sensation via the ‘Gate Control’ mechanism of our nervous system. As far as how it does these things, interesting research is being conducted to try to get to the bottom of it. One interesting theory is that the fascia, a complex web of lining of organs and muscles within the body, conducts an electrical charge by way of the crystalline structure of connective tissue. ​ ​ Can acupuncture help my condition? There are many factors that need to be considered. Based on your condition, medical history, and what other treatments you are receiving, I can estimate how well and how quickly you may respond. Generally, if your treatment according to a Western diagnosis isn’t resolving the problem, is expensive, or has side effects, then acupuncture is worth a try. Book a consultation for a personalized assessment. ​ ​ How many treatments will I need? ​ This question depends on a few factors, as well. In my experience, when a symptom is experienced some of the time as opposed to all of the time, or when it varies greatly in intensity, it tends to resolve more quickly. Acupuncture works cumulatively; one treatment builds upon the next. I typically recommend no less than 5 treatments. For this reason, I offer package pricing. The more treatments you receive, the less expensive the treatments. ​ ​ Is it painless? Acupuncture needles are extremely thin. The ones I use are as thin as a piece of hair and 6-7 of these can fit on the head of a hypodermic needle. Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow, so unlike hypodermic needles, they do not pierce the skin when inserted; they slide between skin cells. Insertion of the needles is rarely felt and when felt, it is a mild prick that subsides quickly. Patients feel very relaxed during and after a treatment and often, fall asleep. ​ ​ Is it safe? ​ If received by a properly trained acupuncturist, yes. All the needles I use are sterile and disposable, so they are only used once and there is no risk for cross-contamination. I attended school for 4 years, so I am well trained in terms of contraindications, point depths, and locations. I am certified by CCAOM (Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) in Clean Needle Technique.