Acupuncture re-balances the body's Qi by applying heat or very slender, solid needles (about the width of a human hair) to points along the meridians. Needles are sterile and disposed of after each patient. Most insertions are very shallow; sensations vary from nothing at all to a momentary ache or sting.

Response to treatment varies. Many conditions are alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture. Some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only over time with slow steady progress. Some people may notice a change in their overall well-being. Others notice no effect at all at first, and some may experience a slight intensification of a symptom prior to its disappearance. Generally speaking, the more severe a condition is and the longer its duration, the longer it will take to treat.

People receiving acupuncture frequently notice increased relaxation, improved sleep, enhanced mood, positive changes in appetite or bowel patterns, improved body temperature, or a greater sense of energy. These are all signs of better energy balance, which when continued and supported can lead to an alleviation of symptoms.