Sandra Rudin is a board certified, licensed acupuncturist in the state of California. She holds a Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a NCCAOM diplomate, and is a member of the Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In addition to her training in Chinese Medicine, Sandra is a certified Holistic Health Practitioner, a Yoga Instructor, and is certified through the Egoscue Method as a Postural Assessment Specialists. Having obtained her undergraduate degree in Dietetics, nutritional consulting and education also play a large role in her work.

What is Acupuncture?

With a 3,000 year-old history, acupuncture is one of the oldest healing modalities in the world. Its aim is to encourage the body to promote its own natural healing abilities and improve physiological function. This is achieved by gently inserting very fine, sterile needles into the body at specific acupuncture points. Acupuncture needles typically remain in place for 15-30 minutes, during this time manual or electrical stimulation may be applied to the needle. In some cases, radiant heat from a lamp or Moxa stick (a burning herb) may be applied to the top of an acupuncture needle to obtain additional effect.

What Conditions are Treatable with Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is well known for treating both chronic and acute pain conditions. Western medical studies are now discovering acupunctures diverse biological effects on both the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). Modern research shows that the presence of acupuncture needles inside the body causes the release of endorphins and opioids (the body's natural pain killers), as well as neurotransmitters in the brain. This neuro-biological response creates an analgesic effect within the body. When pain is relieved, a sense of well-being can be restored both physically and mentally. As a result, the body heals faster and health is restored.

While acupuncture is most often associated with pain management, its scope of practice is much larger. Acupuncture has been found to be particularly effective in resolving various physical conditions related to tension, stress and emotional disorders. Although acupuncture is not a "cure-all" treatment, it is very effective in addressing a wide variety of medical conditions. Clinical research from the National Institute of Health demonstrates that acupuncture: boosts immunity, improves circulation, stimulates the production of pain modulating endorphins and enkephalins, regulates blood pressure, and increases red & white blood cell count.

Acupuncture is Effective at Treating:

Facial Pain - Headaches / Migraines - Low Back Pain - Menstrual Cramps - Muscle Pain - Neck Pain - Neurological Disorders - Numbness & Tingling - Post-operative Pain - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Sciatica - Shoulder Pain - Sprains / Strains - Sports Injuries - Tendonitis - And Much more

How Does Acupuncture Work?

All of our bodily systems are constantly working together to maintain homeostasis. Stress, diet and environmental factors can all lead to disease or imbalance of this system. Acupuncture helps to restore this balance by stimulating our bodies' natural healing capacities by manipulating its vital-life energy (known as Qi, pronounced "chee").

Traditional Chinese Medicine explains that one's health depends on the flow of Qi through 12 major meridians within the body. These meridians are energy pathways that connect with all of the organs and major body structures. When there is a deficiency or an obstruction in the flow of Qi, its vital nourishment is unable to circulate freely throughout the body. Consequently, pain and/or disease arise. By stimulating certain acupuncture points, the acupuncturist can balance the body's Qi, enabling it's free flow through the meridians and restoring proper function.

From a western standpoint, acupuncture points are areas on the body that can affect nerve impulses, blood circulation, and regulate the hormonal system. The National Institute of Health in the United States has noted the following theories as to just why acupuncture works:

v Changes to the central nervous system during acupuncture sessions alter the regulation of blood pressure and flow as well as body temperature.

v Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system causing neurotransmitters and neurohormones to be released, thereby boosting your body's natural ability to heal itself.

v Acupuncture reduces pain by releasing the endorphins, which naturally occur in the body's pain control system, into the central nervous system.

Does it hurt?

More often than not, the experience is relatively painless. Most patients find acupuncture very relaxing and are surprised at how comfortable they are during treatment; some patients even go to sleep. The experience of an acupuncture needle is nothing like that of a hypodermic needle (which are 10 times the width an acupuncture needle). In fact, acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a single human hair.

What Does it Feel Like?

Upon insertion, you may feel a slight prick as the needle pierces the skin, or nothing at all. After the needle is inserted into an acupoint, a minor soreness or a dull-achy sensation may arise. There may also be numbness, tingling, or heat sensations, none of which should feel disturbing or uncomfortable. These sensations are a desired effect and are necessary to obtain therapeutic benefits. The more you can allow yourself to relax and receive the sensations without fear, the more pleasant the experience will be.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Yes. Acupuncture needles are 100% sterile and disposed of after the first use. Therefore, there is no risk of blood-borne disease transmission. In keeping with an ever-growing demand for alternative medicine, the FDA classified acupuncture needles as medical equipment in 1996, subject to the same strict standards as medical needles, syringes, and surgical scalpels.

As far as bodily harm, the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower with acupuncture than with many drugs and other commonly accepted medical procedures for the same conditions. On rare occasion, the needle may nick a blood vessel and cause a small bruise that disappears in a couple of days. Since the needles are so fine, it is unlikely to cause damage to the tissues it comes in contact with.

How Many Treatments Will it Take to Get Results?

No two conditions or people respond the same. The number of treatments needed to get results depends largely on the severity of your condition, how long you have had the condition, and how well your body responds to treatment. Generally, the more chronic a condition, the longer it takes to heal. An average course of treatment could range anywhere between 8 to 12 visits. Some conditions warrant fewer treatments, some may require more.

How Long Does it Take?

On average, the appointment will last about 1 hour, give or take 15 minutes.

What Should I Do to Prepare for Treatment?

v Never come in for treatment on an empty stomach. Ideally, some food should have been consumed within a couple of hours before treatment begins.

v Where comfortable clothes that can be easily pulled up above the knees and elbows.

v Avoid overeating, alcohol, and high stress situations before and after your treatment.

Does Acupuncture Really Work?

Yes. In the past 3,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced extensively worldwide and is being used more frequently in America by patients and physicians. Acupuncture treatments can be given in conjunction with other forms of health care, such as conventional western medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic or naturopathic prescriptions.