FAQ’s

Acupuncture is a safe and effective drug-free form of holistic healthcare, that is used help treat millions of people worldwide. It involves having small sterilized needles placed at different acupoints on the body. This stimulates the body’s Qi (internal vital energy) to promote healing.

The sensation of receiving acupuncture may vary from patient to patient, but is generally pain-free. Sometimes patients will describe feeling a “qi sensation” at the needle site, which may feel like pressure, a dull ache, or simply just “activity.” The needles are incredibly thin and are similar in diameter to a human hair or a cat’s whisker. Needles are inserted to appropriate depths, depending on which body part is being treated, but generally go less than 1⁄4 inch to 1 inch into the body.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institute of Health (NIH) recognize acupuncture as an effective treatment in many medical problems. Here are just a few of the diseases that acupuncture can treat: Click Here to view a complete list.

Licensed Acupuncturists must complete 3 to 4 years of graduate school; requiring between 2,500-3,100 hours of training. They must pass national board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and be licensed to practice by the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). By comparison, a chiropractor, physical therapist, or medical doctor may practice “dry needling” with only a 100 hour certification course. L.Ac.’s are the qualified experts in administering, not only acupuncture, but the full range of services that Asian medicine can provide. Dr. Brittany is also an expert of Dry Needling.  

At your first appointment your acupuncturist will take a detailed health history, get to know your current symptoms, talk with you about your healthcare goals, discuss your healthcare options, and administer a first treatment. At follow-up treatments your acupuncturist will check in with you, make note of your progress, and adjust your treatments to fit your continuing needs. Your acupuncturist will feel your wrist pulses, look at your tongue, and palpate your body and its acupoints, and will combine this information with your symptomology to formulate a treatment. Your treatment may include acupuncture, bodywork, and possibly other healing modalities for your benefit.

-Cupping: A treatment adjunct used for musculoskeletal pain and the common cold. It involves small glass or plastic suction cups placed on the body.

-Moxibustion: A heat therapy which uses moxa, the Chinese herb, Mugwort. A small amount of moxa is burned carefully on or near the surface of the skin, or on top of a needle to produce therapeutic effects on the acupoints. Moxibustion has powerful effects on pain, immune function, and circulatory disorders.

-Gwa Sha: Uses a specialized tool to gently scrape and rub the skin to provide stimulation. Gwa Sha is a useful treatment adjunct for pain, skin disorders, and cosmetic acupuncture.

-Electroacupuncture: Uses electrical stimulation attached to acupuncture needles to provide pain-reducing stimulation to the body. It can also be used in cases of muscle atrophy to help strengthen flaccid muscles.

​-TDP Heat Therapy: Helps to increase the body's microcirculation and helps release the fascia which sits above the muscle layers. The heat accelerates the natural healing of the body.

Acupuncture has a long history of treating dermatological disorders. All skin problems are related to an underlying imbalance, which acupuncture addresses very well. Dr. Brittany treats a wide range of skin problems. Treating underlying causes may allow the patient’s whole health improve. Problems may be of a cosmetic nature; wrinkles, fine lines, scars, c-section scars, breast/abdominal sagging, chin/neck sagging, cellulite, spider veins/nevi, and poufy/droopy eyelids. Patients with more serious problems, such as, rashes, acne, lesions, bruises, edema, general bloating, weight gain discoloration, eczema, and psoriasis can also experience amazing results with acupuncture treatments. To achieve long lasting results, needles, topicals, herbs, and injections are used in treatment. By addressing underlying imbalances of skin disorders, results are more dramatic and long lasting.
Acupuncture has a long history of treating dermatological disorders. All skin problems are related to an underlying imbalance, which acupuncture addresses very well. Dr. Brittany treats a wide range of skin problems. Treating underlying causes may allow the patient’s whole health improve. Problems may be of a cosmetic nature; wrinkles, fine lines, scars, c-section scars, breast/abdominal sagging, chin/neck sagging, cellulite, spider veins/nevi, and poufy/droopy eyelids. Patients with more serious problems, such as, rashes, acne, lesions, bruises, edema, general bloating, weight gain discoloration, eczema, and psoriasis can also experience amazing results with acupuncture treatments. To achieve long lasting results, needles, topicals, herbs, and injections are used in treatment. By addressing underlying imbalances of skin disorders, results are more dramatic and long lasting.

Cosmetic acupuncture is the treatment of choice for patients who experience wrinkles, fine lines, scars, acne scars, stretch marks, c-section scars, bruises, breast/abdomen sagging, chin/neck sagging, cellulite, spider veins/nevi, poufy/droopy eyelids, facial paralysis, and facial asymmetry. This specialty style of acupuncture helps patients age gracefully. Dr. Brittany helps her patients improve skin tone, elasticity, and vibrancy. Cosmetic acupuncture increases collagen production, blood circulation, and reduces inflammation and scar tissue. Treatment with cosmetic acupuncture is your best choice for looking vibrant, beautiful, and healthy.

Dr. Brittany's practice is centered in traditional Japanese style acupuncture. Japenese acupuncture is gentle, effective and provides results for patients where other therapies have fallen short. Utilizing needle-top moxabustion therapy is the focal point of her treatments. Moxabustion heat therapy which uses moxa, the Chinese herb, Mugwort. A small amount of moxa is burned carefully on or near the surface of the skin, or on top of a needle to produce therapeutic effects on the acupoints. Moxibustion has powerful effects on pain, immune function, and circulatory disorders. Kototama Inochi Medicine has influenced the way she practices, as well as, traditional Japanese medicine.  Both practices encompass the art and the knowledge of ancient Japense acupuncture.  She thanks Michael Young L.Ac. and Ted Hall L.Ac for the time they spent educating her on such unique forms of acupuncture.

Shiatsu is a generic term for Japanese bodywork. The power of touch is indispensable in Kototama Inochi Medicine and Korean medicine. Shiatsu is a great way to cover lots of territory on the body, finding and correcting imbalances for effective treatment of pain and disease. Hara (abdominal) massage, was taught by Dr. Brittany's teachers, most importantly her teacher Michael Young. Touching the abdomen to promote health of the internal organs is a powerful and specialized part of the treatment process. It promotes overall health and well being, as well as digestive function, immune system function, reproductive function, and emotional balance.

Orthopedic Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for directly addressing injuries, acute and chronic pain, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sports performance enhancement, and postoperative recovery. This specialized care can decrease pain, inflammation, and the stress associated with pain and injuries. It also speeds up recovery time, while increasing strength, stamina, and range of motion. Treatments may include electro-acupuncture, cupping, handcrafted herbal medicines and topicals, Tai Chi and Qigong exercises, shiatsu bodywork, and more. Dr. Brittany has been trained to provide proper evaluation of orthopedic problems from the perspectives of both Western sports medicine and Eastern traditional medicine. This way, proper acupuncture and oriental medical treatments can be administered, and issues that may need referral for diagnostic imaging and/or orthopedic surgery can be red-flagged, giving patients peace of mind that all aspects of their care are being considered. Dr. Brittany is happy to work alongside her patients’ medical and orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and other health practitioners, towards your healthcare goals. Their goal is to get you back to living your life; healthier, stronger, and more pain-free than ever before.

Auricular acupuncture treats an array of physical, emotional, and mental problems. Auricular acupuncture is a powerful adjunctive therapy in treating many conditions including stress, pain, stopping smoking, cognitive disorders, trauma, mood disorders, and chronic illness. The ear is what we refer to as a micro-system, where we can treat disorders of the whole body by using an overlay of the body on the surface of the ear.

​Many women have a hard time conceiving or sustaining a healthy pregnancy. In these times many fertility drugs and methods are used. Still, women may find themselves unable to become pregnant and are frustrated and distraught. Many are told their hormone levels look excellent and there is no reason for the infertility. At this point, where does that leave a woman?

​For these reasons, Dr. Brittany decided to specialize in fertility issues. She realized without alternatives for women, this cycle of frustration and sadness would continue. She is proud to say she has helped many create a healthy happy family through her acupuncture treatments for fertility and pregnancy. She uses a combination of acupuncture, herbs and dietary regulation to stimulate the body's ability to maintain a healthy environment. These treatments then may help hormone levels stabilize and fertility increase. Acupuncture is a wonderful alternative for women who are looking for a natural approach to pregnancy.