What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing modality that has been practiced for over 2500 years. Fine needles are inserted to stimulate specific points and areas on the human body. Acupuncture taps into the meridian system that runs through the human body. The meridian system is a network of energetic pathways that run externally to the skin and muscles and internally to the organs and tissues. This explains why needling points on the surface of the body are able to affect complex internal processes. Acupuncture can be used to aid in the heath of almost any condition as it at root works to restore dynamic harmony in all systems of the body. It is a great tool to be used in adjunct with western biomedicine and other healing modalities.
Acupuncture can be used to treat:
- Headaches and migraines
- Menstrual pain and gynecological conditions
- Orthopedic pain (Back pain, Joint pain, Myofascial pain)
- Nausea and side effects of chemotherapy
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Mental-Emotional conditions (Anxiety, Depression)
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Postoperative pain and recovery
- Neurological disorders (Stroke recovery, Parkinson’s)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Addiction
- Stress reduction
What to Expect
During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted into the skin at various acupoints at a depth of .25-1.5 inches depending on the area of the body. Acupuncture needles are fine needles about the width of a strand of hair. The sensation of needling can vary from person to person. It is generally a gentle feeling, but it can be accompanied by sensations of pinching, heaviness, aching, or light throbbing. These sensations generally fade as the treatment progresses. Most needles are left in for about 30 minutes or more as the acupuncture session finds a harmonious conclusion.
An acupuncture session may be accompanied by other techniques used in traditional Asian medicine such as:
- Moxibustion: the burning of Ai Ye (mugwort herb) directly on the skin or above the skin for warming or for acupoint stimulation
- Cupping: the application of small globe shaped cups to the skin applied with suction to provide relief for areas of muscular tension and other conditions.
- Gua sha: Repetitive gliding of a small rounded edge tool on the skin used to release excess conditions of the fascia and muscles as well as certain internal conditions.
- Tuina: Chinese body work technique involving the pressing, pushing, and stretching of muscle and soft tissue for relief of orthopedic issues performed with the patient fully clothed.
Meet Maria Spangler, LAc
Maria Spangler is the owner of Heart Path Acupuncture. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) She incorporates many techniques into her Chinese Medicine practice which include Acupuncture, Tuina (bodywork), Moxibustion (heat therapy), Cupping, and Herbal Medicine.
From a young age, Maria has been drawn to healing systems that extend beyond the mainstream medical paradigm. The notion that health in the individual is absolutely dependent on the harmonious interplay of the mind, body, emotions, and spirit is a truth that has always resonated with her. This strong connection led her to explore many healing modalities, including massage therapy, Reiki, folk herbalism, and Shamanic Healing. In addition to practicing Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, she is a Reiki Master, Shamanic Energy Practitioner and Herbalist.
In her work, Maria listens closely to what the client’s body is saying to reveal the strong but often unacknowledged connection between physical and emotional health. This approach can have profound effects, shifting awareness and the physical state to reveal what ails us, that which causes us “dis-ease”. Her acupuncture style focuses on gentle techniques, including pulse diagnosis, abdominal palpation, and Japanese-style needling. Maria’s approach is helpful for most conditions, but is particularly useful for individuals seeking mental-emotional balance, and those with autoimmune disorders, chronic illness, and pain.
Core to Maria’s approach of healing is connecting to the wisdom of the Heart. In many esoteric and traditional medicines around the globe, the heart center is the bridge between our physical/earthly reality below and spirit/cosmic reality above. The Heart integrates the grounding of the body with the intangible spark of the Spirit. The path of healing by the heart’s wisdom connects us to all parts of ourselves and brings that which is disconnected into a harmonious, interactive whole.
Maria enjoys spending her leisure time pursuing her love of plants & herbs and working on home fermentation projects and herbal preparations. She is an amateur mycologist and often has medicinal and gourmet mushrooms growing in her greenhouse.
