Acupuncture Specialist

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine needles into specific points in the body along pathways called meridians. Treating these points can alleviate pain and bring about the resolution of a number of health concerns, including depression and asthma.

Acupuncture unblocks and releases your body’s energy, called chi, that flows along the meridians. When meridians are blocked, your chi can’t flow freely and illness results. Acupuncture helps your chi to flow properly again and health is restored.

As a natural treatment that requires no medication, acupuncture may be used as a supplement to other types of treatment, including cupping.

What conditions can acupuncture address?

The practitioners at Pohala Clinic PC may recommend acupuncture to treat issues such as:

• Rhinitis and sinusitis
• Bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses
• Back and neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Headaches and migraines
• Depression
• Symptoms of hormone imbalance

Acupuncture can treat a number of other diseases and conditions, too.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?

During acupuncture treatments, you lie comfortably on a padded table or in a chair while the Chinese medicine specialist inserts sterilized needles into the areas that correspond to the blocked meridians in your body.

Anywhere from 3-15 needles, and sometimes more, are applied in any one session at depths that correspond to the condition being treated. Because the needles are so thin, it's rare for acupuncture to cause significant pain, but there is sometimes a bit of initial discomfort that typically disappears within seconds. After the needles are applied, you lie quietly and relax for a period of time, then your acupuncturist removes the needles.

You don’t need any official recovery time after acupuncture and are welcome to go back to all of your regular activities.

When will I notice the effects of acupuncture?

Many patients notice a difference after just a few sessions. Results vary, but you may even notice some improvements in pain and other illness symptoms after just one session.

Treatments are usually scheduled about 1-2 weeks apart. Periodic maintenance sessions help you maintain energy balance and the positive effects of acupuncture treatment.

To schedule your acupuncture session, call Pohala Clinic PC or book online today.

Both our licensed acupuncturists are also Naturopathic doctors. Dr. Paresh Shelat (ND, LAc) works as a primary care provider in addition to providing acupuncture services, while Dr. Kacy Borba Spann (ND, LAc) provides speciality naturopathic care to her patients including Prolo Therapy and Postpartum Trauma Therapy.