A Different Approach to Acupuncture
At Koi Chiropractic and Acupuncture, acupuncture is more than simply placing needles where you hurt.
Our Acupuncturist Michael Mark, L.Ac Dipl O.M. combines the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a modern understanding of anatomy, pain, movement, and overall health. Each treatment begins by looking at both your main concern and the factors that may be contributing to it.
For pain and musculoskeletal conditions, this may include an orthopedic assessment along with evaluation from an Oriental Medicine perspective. For internal health and wellness concerns, we look at patterns involving sleep, stress, digestion, diet, activity, and lifestyle.
Our Acupuncture principles
- Safe Space — Quiet, Calm, & Private Rooms.
- Personalized Care — Treatment is based on your individual condition, health history, and goals.
- Thorough Evaluation — We look beyond symptoms to understand contributing factors.
- Comfortable Treatments — We use fine acupuncture needles and try to avoid unnecessarily sensitive areas whenever appropriate.
- Modesty & Privacy — Patients remain appropriately clothed, and we expose only the area necessary for treatment.
- Clear Explanations — We explain what we find, what we are treating, and what you can reasonably expect from care.
- No Treatment Packages — Recommendations are based on your condition and response to treatment rather than pre-sold packages.
Your first visit?
- Your first appointment begins with a discussion of your main health concern and medical history.
- We will ask questions from an Oriental Medicine perspective to better understand factors that may be affecting your health, including:
- Eating • Sleeping • Stress & Emotional Health • Physical Activity • Lifestyle
- For pain and musculoskeletal conditions
- Orthopedic examination may also be performed to help identify the tissues and structures involved.
- After the evaluation, we will explain our findings and discuss a recommended treatment approach with you.
Where are the acupuncture needles placed?
It depends on what we are treating. Patient comfort and modesty are always important to us.
- Neck & Shoulder Pain: We can provide a tank top that exposes only the neck and shoulder blade region.
- Low Back Pain: Only the portion of the lower back necessary for treatment is exposed.
- Hip Pain: We can provide shorts that allow access to the hip while maintaining appropriate coverage.
- Stress, digestion and other internal conditions: Acupuncture points are located on the forearms and lower legs. Abdominal points may occasionally be used when appropriate.
Whenever possible, we try to avoid unnecessarily tender areas such as the hands and feet. In many cases, alternative acupuncture points can be selected to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while making treatment more comfortable.
Origins of Acupuncture
A Healing Tradition Developed Thousands of Years Ago
Acupuncture developed in China over 3500 years ago and became an important part of what is now known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Traditional Chinese Medicine describes the body’s vital activity through the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”) and pathways traditionally called meridians.
In this traditional framework, health depends upon maintaining balance and proper function throughout the body. Illness, injury, emotional stress, diet, sleep, activity, and other lifestyle factors can contribute to patterns of imbalance. Acupuncture uses carefully selected points to help restore balance and support the body’s natural ability to regulate itself.
Modern Perspective on Acupuncture
Modern research looks at acupuncture through the nervous system, muscles and connective tissues, circulation, and the body’s natural pain-regulating mechanisms.
Rather than describing acupuncture solely in terms of Qi and meridians, a modern perspective examines how stimulation from acupuncture needles may produce physiological responses in both the area being treated and the nervous system.
Research suggests acupuncture may influence mechanisms involved in:
Pain regulation- Nervous system activity
- Release of natural pain-modulating chemicals
- Local blood flow
- Muscle tension
- Inflammatory signaling
- Stress and relaxation responses
At Koi, we respect acupuncture’s traditional foundations while also incorporating modern anatomy, examination, and healthcare knowledge into the way we evaluate and treat our patients.
Traditional Wisdom. Modern Understanding. Personalized Care.
Our goal isn’t simply to perform acupuncture. It is to understand why you are seeking care, explain what we find, and provide a treatment approach that is comfortable, thoughtful, and specific to you.
