Acupuncture in Santa Rosa Beach near 30A
Hi! I’m April, an Acupuncture Physician and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner specializing in women’s health. If you’re suffering from fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, hormone imbalances and digestive issues you’re in the right place! Acupuncture is an amazing natural treatment that can address almost any health concern you have.
Whether you’re a local with a chronic health issue, a visitor dealing with pain on your trip, or you’re just looking for the most amazing “Acu Nap” to help you relax, I look forward to helping you feel better!
Our treatment space is such a cozy and relaxing spot. Each treatment is customized just for you and may include the use of essential oils, gemstones, cupping, gua sha, and facial rollers.
Wanna know more about acupuncture? Check out our FAQs below…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which originated in ancient China over 3000 years ago. It is one of the oldest and most common forms of healthcare in the world. In fact more people have been successfully treated in the past 3000 years with acupuncture than any other healthcare modality.
Today acupuncture is offered in hospitals like The Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt and The Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It is also being used in the military for help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as for pain relief.
What does my initial acupuncture appointment consist of?
We’ll begin with an in depth health history and intake and allow you the time to talk about what’s going on. After all, nobody knows you better than you. We hear from clients all the time about their frustration with practitioners that don't listen and we want you to know we’re here for you. Your acupuncturist will also feel your pulse and look at your tongue in order to gain more information about what’s going on internally.
You’re then ready for your first acupuncture treatment. You’ll be resting comfortably on a massage table with soft music playing to help you relax. We offer heated tables and far infrared heat lamps that can be used if needed. Depending on what we’re working on you can remain clothed as long as we can get to the areas of your discomfort. Once the needles are placed you will rest for anywhere from 20- 40 minutes. Acupuncture is very relaxing and enjoyable and oftentimes people will fall asleep.
While you’re resting with the needles we will prepare your customized treatment plan based on what we found during the intake. It will include a list of prioritized recommendations on treatment frequency, any supplements or herbs, and any dietary or lifestyle changes that may benefit you. Depending on your time and your budget you can select which options are best for you. There’s no pressure and we’re not here to sell you on anything. Together we can develop your specific plan of action to get you on the road to a healthier, happier you!
How does acupuncture work?
The Chinese theory for how Acupuncture works is that the energy flowing through our bodies or Qi (pronounced chee) can be influenced and balanced by stimulating specific points on the body. The points used are located along meridians that are tied to our major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the flow of Qi becomes unbalanced or blocked. Acupuncture re-establishes this vital energy.
Modern scientific theory behind Acupuncture's effectiveness is that the needles stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain, which influence the body's own regulatory system. There are more studies coming out all the time showing the effectiveness of acupuncture.
Even though they’ve proven these findings it’s still unknown how and why it works this way. Both East and West agree that the improved energy and biochemical balance produced by Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural healing abilities and promotes physical and emotional well-being. Simply put, your body has an amazing ability to heal itself. Sometimes it just needs a little push in the right direction and that’s what acupuncture does.
How long will my appointment be?
Your initial appointment will be 60-75 minutes typically and follow-ups will likely be about 45 to 55 minutes. If you need to be out by a certain time just let Dr. Bradley know before your treatment begins.
I don't really like needles, does it hurt?
This is a very common question that we hear. Acupuncturists use extremely fine, sterile, single use needles to stimulate the acupuncture points. These needles are nothing like the hypodermic needle that most people think of when they hear the word needle. In fact they are so small that you can fit many acupuncture needles into the tip of a hypodermic needle. The most common thing that people feel is a slight pinch or pressure when the needle is applied and is not usually described as painful. Most people feel very calm and relaxed after the needles are in and oftentimes fall asleep.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. There are many factors involved including what your symptoms are, how long it’s been an issue and how well you follow the treatment plan and suggestions we lay out for you. Most of the time we tell people to start with a series of 5 treatments. At that point you may need to continue with regular treatments for a little while longer or you may be able to transition to more of a maintenance schedule. This will be discussed in your initial acupuncture treatment.
Do you accept insurance?
No, however you can pay with a Health Saving Account and we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance if they reimburse for acupuncture. Also, acupuncture is tax deductible as a medical expense.
How do you decide where to put the needles?
Every person’s treatment plan is different. When you come in for your visit we will go through your health history and ask detailed questions about your issues. In Chinese Medicine we also take your pulse and look at your tongue to help us create a diagnosis. Both of these help give us an idea about what is going on inside your body. Once we determine what your pattern is we then formulate your treatment plan and decide which acupuncture points we want to use. Depending on your pattern we may also make other suggestions about nutrition, supplements or herbs, or lifestyle changes that may help you get better faster.