Acupuncture can be used for anything, but what do I treat?

My practice is currently focused on using the Compliment Channels of Acupuncture. These channels were first described in the Song Dynasty and were integral to the development of Classical Chinese Medicine. They are remarkable because, with them, anything from musculoskeletal issues to deep constitutional issues can be treated along with everything in between. This means that literally anything that can happen with the body is described by one or more of these sets of channels!

I still ocassionally use the Primary Channels, which are the channels you might be used to seeing when learning about acupuncture. Along with the Compliment channels this means there are a total of 60 channels in the body that can be used and balanced to improved your health and well being.

Below is a breakdown of the four sets of Compliment Channels and what they can be used to treat.

The Sinew Channels

The Sinew Channels are the most superficial channels in the body and as such are most often used to treat acute pain and musculoskeletal complaints, such as sports injuries, pulled muscles, general tension, numbness and nerve issues, sprains and strains, any kind of restricted range of motion issues. The Sinew channels also connect to parts of the digestive and immune systems and can help with constipation and improving immune response.

The Luo Channels

The Luo Channels represent the next level of the body and deal primarily with mental-emotional conditions such as anxiety, over-thinking, depression, insomnia, apathy, difficulty letting go, stress management, addiction, overwhelm and over-stimulation, heartbreak, anger and frustration, and fear. These channels are a fantastic compliment to working with your therapist and for acute emotional triggers. The Luo channels can also be used for varicose veins, prolaspses, and skin conditions.

The Divergent Channels

The Divergent Channels are very interesting because they are primarily used to treat chronic degenerative diseases which is where I believe acupuncture and Chinese medicine shines the brightest. This includes anything based in aging, chronic conditions including pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and polymylagia rheumatica; issues such as long covid, reactions from vaccines, all hormonal conditions, women’s and reproductive health, allergies, and all autoimmune disorders.

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians

The Eight Extras are the deepest channels in the body and are used for a large variety of conditions including: structural alignment, neurological conditions, long-standing digestive insufficiencies, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, deep or generational trauma, congenital conditions, difficulty fitting in with society, reproductive health, changing rigid belief structures, aversion to change in general, deep personal growth and attidude changes, addiction, and difficulty with life transitions such as menopause, career changes, retirement, marriage/divorce, etc.

It’s impossible to list all the things acupuncture can treat, so if you’re wondering whether I have experience with something specific, please ask me!