Anxiety or depression can range from unsettling and uncomfortable, to completely debilitating, seriously affecting one’s life. Some people suffer from one isolated episode (usually connected to a particular event), while others suffer throughout their lives. Hormonal changes in thyroid disorders, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause can also trigger anxiety and depression.

Acupuncture and Functional Medicine are a natural form of treatment that work to regulate cortisol levels, restore parasympathetic dominance and increase serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Through the movement of stuck energy that contributes to anxiety and depression, negative emotional patterns are shifted and balance is restored.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 64 million Americans suffer from insomnia. Insomnia can be trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both. It is often associated with health conditions like stress, sleep apnea, chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, and depression.

Using Acupuncture and Functional Medicine, we work to correct underlying energetic and physiological imbalances that are the cause of insomnia. Acupuncture has been proven to regulate cortisol levels, restore the parasympathetic nervous system, and increase endogenous melatonin secretion. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and is essential in regulating circadian rhythms of the body like sleep.

Menopause represents a sacred transition in a woman’s life. Research into the physiological processes of women going through perimenopause reveal that indeed, a full rewiring takes place during this time. With support for the physical symptoms brought on by hormonal changes, women can gracefully move into a place of higher intuition and discovery of their own internal resources.

Menopausal symptoms effectively treated by Acupuncture and Functional Medicine include insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty focusing, mood swings, general uneasiness, low libido, weight gain, irregular periods.

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder where the small and large intestines do not function properly. Symptoms of IBS may include constipation, diarrhea, or both, incomplete bowel movements, mucus in stools, bloating, gas, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Every case of IBS is different, but nearly all are negatively affected by mental and emotional stress. Effective treatment includes acupuncture to restore parasympathetic dominance, lab testing to find underlying causes, dietary changes, colon cleansing and stress management tools.

Chronic pain, pain lasting more than 6 months, may originate from an injury or accident, or there may be an ongoing source of pain. Common sources of pain include: arthritis, headaches, stenosis, tendonitis, nerve, muscle, low back and neck pain.

Substantial research has shown the benefits of acupuncture in treating chronic pain. Acupuncture works by causing biochemical changes that decrease inflammation, increase circulation, enhance the body’s natural healing abilities, decrease perception of pain and promote a sense of physical and emotional wellbeing.