What is Acupuncture?
Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life. Chinese medical theory explains these disharmonies as an imbalance of opposing forces called yin and yang. This imbalance disrupts the movement of the body's vital energy (qi) along the meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture restores the smooth flow of qi. By inserting and manipulating needles at specific points on the body, we are able to return the body to its natural balance and promote the body's ability to heal itself. In addition, Nancy Sencil has extensive training in both Chinese and Japanese acupuncture which uses palpation of points to diagnose the underlying cause of an imbalance. These points are usually sensitive when lightly pressed. After treating the imbalance, these points are less sensitive and therefore symptoms are also eased.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when we insert them. When the needles are gently stimulated you may feel a unique sensation that Chinese medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe a feeling of warmth, tingling or a moving sensation traveling down the meridian pathway. During the treatment, patients report a sense of calmness. Afterwards, they leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary. For acute conditions you can expect to have approximately 10 treatments, but you will usually begin to feel relief after the first few. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative and/or maintence treatments are recommended and scheduled at appropriate intervals depending on the condition treated. Nancy Sencil will discuss a treatment plan with you during the first visit.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique. Nancy Sencil completed the comprehensive national board examination administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed by the state of Georgia. As required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.
Your Initial Consultation
Before you arrive for your acupuncture consultation your practitioner will ask you to complete a comprehensive intake form. The acupuncture intake form asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Chinese medicine takes everything into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them leaves its mark.
After reviewing your intake form, Nancy Sencil will discuss your condition in depth with you. She will devise a treatment plan tailored uniquely to you.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Below are some common conditions Nancy Sencil treats, but please feel free to contact us about your specific health condition.
Chronic Pain
- Muscle, Joint or Nerve Pain
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Leg, ankle and foot pain
- Arm, wrist and hand pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Headache and migraine
- Postoperative pain
Chronic Digestive Issues & Nausea
- Heartburn, Acid Reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Gastritis
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
Chronic Respiratory Complaints
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
Reproductive Issues/ Women's Concerns
- Infertility, female and male
- Increased efficacy of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Pregnancy back pain, nausea, insomnia, anxiety
- Menopausal hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, libido
500 N. Milledge Ave, Suite100 Athens, GA 30601
706-549-3176
