acupuncture

Acupuncturist, Chapel Hill, NC

Acupuncture helps patients with arthritis in vital ways. Numerous studies show the effectiveness of acupuncture care in treating joint pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Licensed acupuncturists such as Dr. Lisa Oskardmay identify blockages in qi flow using Chinese medicine diagnosis methods, including body palpation and tongue and pulse evaluation, to determine where to place tiny sterile acupuncture needles.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

Frequently located along pathways and around pain and inflammation, stimulation of acupoints enhances the body’s natural healing response in affected areas, bringing natural relief. Endorphins and other chemical signaling agents bring relaxation, while improved blood and lymph flow helps to remove toxins and other irritants. Acupuncture reduces inflammation by influencing the immune system, resulting in less joint swelling and stiffness. Whereas arthritis is a chronic and harmful inflammation, acupuncture needle stimulation causes a minor acute inflammation response that helps resolve arthritis symptoms. Pain and chronic inflammation reduction help improve overall joint function for most patients.

Another way that acupuncture therapy helps people with arthritis is by reducing overall body stress. Dr. Oskardmay always incorporates massage and other mindfulness activities into treatment at our office. Massage of the body’s muscles and ligaments increases self-awareness while at the same time promoting an aspect of calm and relaxation. Our private rooms, surrounded by nature, filled with soft spa music, and warmed with nonelectric devices, are smooth and comfortable. Dr. Oskardmay takes her time with each patient, and each person enjoys a healing, non-rushed atmosphere. We provide this healing atmosphere because we know it helps patients get better faster when they can relax.

As part of our holistic approach to care, Dr. Oskardmay provides patient education regarding exercises and nutrition that influence arthritis. Sometimes, patients stop exercising because it hurts, they do the wrong exercise, or they do the proper exercise too much or too little. She inquires about various activities of daily living to help people make small changes that can have a lasting impact. Sometimes, she also refers to local physical therapists or trainers.

Additionally, we recognize that sleep patterns influence joint pain and arthritis in many ways. While sometimes overlooked, sleep issues matter; again, small changes can have a lasting impact.

What a person eats significantly affects their pain and inflammation levels. Therefore, Dr. Oskardmay inquires about food intake, allergies, and other digestion-related aspects. Getting annual bloodwork to know one’s ‘numbers’ is helpful. Dr. Oskardmay helps patients understand how blood sugar, A1C, blood pressure, Vitamin D, C-reactive protein, magnesium levels, RF, and ANA affect arthritis. Eating a good, balanced diet can help resolve many arthritic symptoms.

Lastly, as a chiropractor and a licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Oskardmay can provide joint adjustments where needed. The option of chiropractic care at our office is another reason to call today. 919-260-0330. acudocnc.com

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Acupuncture benefits digestion in several vital ways. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the acupuncture and chiropractic offices of Lisa Oskardmay DC, Lac in Chapel Hill, we strive to help people achieve good digestion naturally. We understand digestion is a natural process and believe a healthy body can digest food safely and well. We help patients improve many aspects of digestion to get healthier and stay healthier. Read more to learn about how acupuncture helps digestive health.

What is Digestion?

Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food compounds into small water-soluble components to be absorbed into the blood plasma. These smaller food substances are absorbed through the small intestine into the bloodstream. When digestion suffers, the entire body and mind suffer.

Digestion involves assimilating food into our bodies to assist our muscles, brain, skin, and other tissues. Mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food in the mouth by chewing larger pieces of food into smaller pieces, and digestive enzymes break down further in chemical digestion.

How Does Acupuncture Help Digestion?

Applied to the channels affecting the jaw and face, acupuncture and acupuncture massage help reduce pain, making chewing less problematic and painful. Acupuncture along the channels impacting the stomach helps this crucial organ break down and change food more thoroughly. Through its impact on the fire channel, acupuncture helps the small intestine organize and process nutrients that pass through this organ. Acupuncture applied to the metal channel supports holding onto beneficial nutrients while releasing waste through the large intestine.

We see the function of the water channel affecting digestion in its role of nervous system control and in the role of water itself. Through its impact on the water element, acupuncture involves the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, the breakdown and building up aspects of the system, and influencing the balance of stress and relaxation in digestion. Significantly, through the wood channel pathways, acupuncture can help propel food through the system via the muscles of the body and impact the immune system via the wood element itself.

Digestion is a multifaceted process that affects one’s entire being. When a patient uses acid reducers to allay the symptoms of acid reflux or antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria, there are side effects on the whole person. When a person experiences stress that causes gastritis or stomach upset, there are ways to manage the symptoms that are not harmful to the person.

Acupuncture can help improve digestion by helping heal the whole person naturally with less emphasis on drugs or surgery.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, we’ve helped people resolve digestive disorders since 1995 using a variety of acupuncture and other hands-on holistic treatments. Call today at (919) 929-1400, M-F 8:30-5:30, to learn more about how acupuncture helps digestive health and to  see how acupuncture can help you return to a healthier you. Visit us on the web at acudocnc.com to schedule online 24 hours a day. We look forward to helping you.

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Acupuncture, a time-honored healing remedy, is not just a local practice but a globally recognized treatment. Endorsed by the World Health Organization as an effective remedy for various conditions, including back pain, headaches, depression, hypertension, and others, acupuncture has gained significant traction in recent decades. The widespread recognition of this treatment should instill confidence in its potential benefits, but it’s crucial to consider some essential aspects.

One crucial consideration in acupuncture treatment is the practitioner. Most states mandate the licensure of acupuncturists, ensuring they possess in-depth knowledge of Chinese medicine principles, anatomy and physiology, sanitation, and other safety concerns. Licensed Acupuncturists, designated LAc., adhere to the ‘Clean Needle Technique’ to safeguard themselves and their patients—this comprehensive training guides LAcs in skin preparation, point selection and location, safe needle insertion, and removal. Unlicensed practitioners without this training may still practice some forms of needle insertion and refer to it as ‘acupuncture .’ To ensure the best, safest care, consumers are advised to inquire about licensure status.

Risks surrounding acupuncture treatment involve bruising and puncture of nerves, arteries, and even organs. Infection is also a risk. Point selection, skin preparation, and patient education while under care influence outcomes. The importance of practitioner selection must be recognized in mitigating these risks.

Acupuncture treatment is associated with minimal adverse side effects. Unlike many surgical procedures and medications, Acupuncture and acupuncture massage do not pose additional health risks. This aspect underscores the safety of acupuncture, making it a viable first choice for individuals seeking healthcare options.

Another consideration is cost. While insurance coverage exists for acupuncture treatment, providers may be hard to find, and the rules surrounding what insurance will cover may be hard to understand. Another option is to use one’s HSA or FSA account. The cost of care may vary from one office to another. Ask to know about this crucial point and avoid unexpected expenses. Some practices may have a self-pay or pay-at-the-time-of-service fee, so inquire about that. Many offices accept payment by cash, credit card, or check.

Many wonder if acupuncture treatment is worth their time—does it work? In answer, we look at millions worldwide who have used this time-tested natural healing treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to help people feel better and achieve better health outcomes for a wide variety of health conditions, from back pain to hypertension, headaches to fibromyalgia, insomnia to carpel tunnel syndrome. Treatment times range from 45 to 90 minutes.

Some patients express concern that acupuncture is against their religion, and they resist trying this type of natural medicine for that reason. Acupuncturists view patients in a holistic’ whole person’ way, incorporating physical and mental concerns in their treatment regimen, which may feel relaxing and comforting, but it is not religion. Practitioners discuss natural elements, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, as they relate to the inside and outside of the body. Still, diagnosis and treatment are sensible and logical, and they work.

Call (919) 929-1400 or visit our office online at acudocnc.com to schedule an appointment and learn more. Serving the Triangle since 1995, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay and Acupractic Natural Healing Center are here for you.

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Studies show that electroacupuncture is a safe and beneficial treatment for knee pain following knee replacement surgery. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the acupuncture and chiropractic clinics of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill, we provide this beneficial therapy. The combination of acupuncture with electrostimulation is very healing for patients with knee pain whether they have had knee replacement therapy or not. Learn more about electroacupuncture for knee replacement pain.

The main reason patients get knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis characterized by joint cartilage breakdown which limits movement and causes pain. Over time, surrounding muscles and ligaments suffer as well. Acupuncture treatment applied along channels affecting the knee and hips and other related areas of the body brings healing qi or energy to damaged areas. The use of electrostimulation assists the process of healing, resolving blockages to qi flow, helping cartilage repair.

Some questions patients ask about Electroacupuncture include:

Does acupuncture with electrostimulation hurt? How long does it take? Can I exercise after treatment? How long will it take to get results? Can I get chiropractic treatment with electrostimulation acupuncture? How does electroacupuncture work?

In answer, electroacupuncture does not typically hurt; most patients report feeling a small sensation at the needle site during part of the treatment, but the goal is not to inflict pain. Treatments generally take 40-60″ depending on various factors. Patients are advised to avoid extreme exercise, heavy eating or other activities for several hours after treatment. We do not guarantee results nor a timeframe for results; most people see some results in two weeks or less. Patients can receive chiropractic care on the same day as acupuncture or electroacupuncture. Many of our patients benefit from the fact that Dr. Oskardmay is licensed in both acupuncture and chiropractic medicine and has extensive training in electroacupuncture therapy.

Electroacupuncture works by stimulating areas of the body to induce a natural healing response at the site of injury, as well as to calm the mind. Inherent to our bodies is a variety of healing responses, ranging from increased blood flow, changes in muscle contractions, stem cell delivery, and others. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture help to improve the automatic healing response.

Natural care at our office helps patients to heal better more quickly from injuries and surgeries, pain and body aches. Call us today at (919) 929-1400, email us at schedule@acudocnc.com or schedule online at acudocnc.com anytime to learn more and to schedule an appointment. We participate with most major insurance plans for both acupuncture as well as chiropractic. We look forward to helping you feel better soon!

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Ear Acupuncture, also known as auriculotherapy, is a type of acupuncture therapy wherein Licensed acupuncturist Dr. Lisa Oskardmay places tiny sterile acupuncture needles in specific areas of the outer ear or auricle to stimulate a healing response in the body and mind. Acupuncture is based on the theory that health depends on a balanced flow of qi or energy in the body. Like the blood flow or nerve impulses, qi flow travels along meridians or channels throughout the body, delivering healing energy. The ears are critical to acupuncture treatment because all body areas have points on the auricles, and qi flowing from these points balances qi elsewhere. Auriculotherapy has many beneficial applications, and patients at our acupuncture clinic in Chapel Hill appreciate how treatment helps them.

How Ear Acupuncture Can Help

Ear acupuncture works on the premise that ear points relate to various areas of the body; stimulation of these areas sends messages to the brain to deliver healing energy or qi to the body area. For instance, a point called Ear Shen men corresponds with the hip and pelvic region, whereas other points nearby relate to other body areas. Dr. Oskardmay uses auriculotherapy with other therapies to support health and relieve body pain and other conditions. Headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, stress, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), neck, shoulder, hip, and back aches benefit from care, as do other conditions. One added benefit of ear acupuncture is that it is very relaxing, and treatment need not be performed at a painful site but rather on the ear, distal to the site of pain.

Traditional Chinese medicine ear acupuncture has other potential benefits. People use auriculotherapy to help resolve a wide range of health concerns, including insomnia, depression, allergies, and anxiety, and to resolve the effects of chemotherapy and cancer pain. Additionally, treatments exist to help people quit smoking and other addictive behaviors, lose weight, and resolve digestive disorders. Many people report improved quality of life, less pain and better energy after auriculotherapy treatment.

After an initial exam at our clinic, Dr. Oskardmay inserts the needles and patients rest comfortably for 15-20″ before she removes the needles. Treatment is not painful, although some people feel a small sting at some points. Sometimes, Dr. Oskardmay places an ear magnet in the ear for patients to press between visits to stimulate certain points. Most patients return for follow-up care, and some come in for a series of treatments.

If you are looking for ear acupuncture near you to help with pain, stress, or emotional distress, call us at 919-929-1400 or visit us online at acudocnc.com today to schedule an appointment. Serving the Chapel Hill community since 1995, the acupuncture and chiropractic offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is here to help you feel better.

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

People recognize the strength of acupuncture treatment to reduce body pain, headaches, insomnia and stress, nausea, and even enhance fertility. But many people need to be aware that this aspect of Chinese medicine can also improve facial appearance, lessen wrinkles, and lift sagging skin. Also known as cosmetic acupuncture or acupuncture facelift, Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is a safer alternative to surgery or Botox that improves overall skin health while addressing the signs of aging. Users say it helps the skin look younger, healthier, and naturally smother without toxic injections or costly surgical procedures. As a licensed acupuncturist trained in Facial Rejuvenation acupuncture, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill enjoys helping clients naturally regain a more youthful appearance.

Acupuncture is a popular, safe body and mind treatment used worldwide. Dr. Lisa Oskardmay follows strict guidelines to maintain her client’s safety. Before starting facial acupuncture sessions, the client and doctor review past medical history via a health history intake form and physical review. Dr. Oskardmay performs a pulse assessment and examines the skin and other areas to determine overall body health and areas of qi stagnation. She believes fully in the ability of acupuncture and other natural treatments to improve overall body health, a requisite to looking and feeling better.

Facial Rejuvenation Treatment

Each facial rejuvenation treatment begins with massage and aromatherapy. Using tiny, thin acupuncture needles, she insets into specific regions and points; Dr. Oskardmay helps to stimulate qi flow in the face and surrounding areas. Following gentle point stimulation, clients rest comfortably on the treatment table with calming spa music, warm ambiance, soothing scents, and breathing instructions designed to awaken the body’s inner healer.

While most treatment points are in the face, Dr. Oskardmay also chooses several body points along specific meridians or channels to support qi flow in particular areas. All elements- wood, fire, earth, metal, and water- exist in the face as much as they live in the limbs and other body areas; imbalance in any of these areas is portrayed in the face, and acupuncture generally helps to resolve the imbalance.

For instance, the eyes are the opening of the wood channel. Stagnation of wood qi may impede qi flow to the organs of vision and reflect in areas surrounding the eyes. The tongue and blood reflect fire qi, and too much or too little fire element may show in the face as pale and sallowness. Earth qi manifests in the muscles and the mouth area. Wrinkles around the mouth and worry lines suggest earth element imbalance. The nose region reflects the metal element. Pore size, the sense of smell, and other aspects show balance in the metal element. Lastly, one sees the water element in the eyes, surrounding creases, and musculature.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is a safe, helpful method to improve overall facial and body appearance. Dr. Oskardmay loves helping patients look and feel better naturally using this acupuncture subspeciality. Call today at 919-929-1400 to learn more about how acupuncture can help you. Serving the Durham, Chapel Hill, and wider Triangle region, Acupractic Natural Healing Center in Chapel Hill is here for you. Or visit us online at acudocnc.com anytime to learn more and to schedule an appointment. Open Monday through Friday, we hope to see you soon!

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

As the popularity of acupuncture treatment for many conditions grows, more insurance plans offer acupuncture benefits. This is terrific news for patients who need care for conditions such as headaches, back and neck pain, shoulder aches, carpel tunnel, infertility, insomnia, and many other disorders acupuncture helps. Nonetheless, insurance coverage for acupuncture must be more consistent between plans, and coverage guidelines may be hard to understand. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, we know this and strive to help each patient with insurance questions related to our acupuncture and chiropractic.

Patients may need to go into their insurance plan’s online search database to determine if acupuncture is a covered benefit. Four principal codes are available for acupuncture benefits, as indicated by the following ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) codes. 97810 means the first 15″ of acupuncture treatment, 97811 is the second 15″, 97813 indicates the first 15″ of electro-acupuncture treatment, and 97814 is the dual 15″. One can use these codes to determine if one’s plan covers acupuncture services.

An insurance carrier may list acupuncture treatment as a covered service under a particular plan. However, when one searches for an acupuncture provider, they often do not find any listed providers. An insurance plan may cover acupuncture treatment provided by licensed acupuncturists, but they do not contract with any licensed acupuncturists. Instead, they cover acupuncture services when provided by certain providers- Participating medical doctors or doctors of chiropractic, for example, certified to practice acupuncture and participating with that particular insurance plan.

Alternatively, some insurance plans cover acupuncture services for licensed acupuncturists (LAc.). In this scenario, one should be able to find a list of LAc. Participating providers when searching for their plan for LAc. Or acupuncturists.

Acupuncture is a recognized therapy for a wide variety of health conditions, ranging from pain to infertility, insomnia to stress. However, few insurance plans pay for all treatments for all diseases. Be sure to ask about this and any other coverage limitations.

Call our office today at (919) 929-1400 to learn more about how acupuncture can help you and about insurance coverage. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, an acupuncture and chiropractic healing center for the Triangle since 1995, we love to help people get well and stay well naturally. Our helpful front desk staff will assist you and verify your insurance benefits before care so that you know what to expect. Visit us online anytime to learn more about how natural medical care improves health and well-being, reduces aches and pain, and schedule an appointment.

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Acupuncture is a popular complementary and alternative medical treatment in this country and worldwide. Nonetheless, many people have questions regarding this type of healthcare. Frequent questions include: Is Acupuncture real? Is it safe? Is Acupuncture covered by Medicare or other forms of insurance? Is it effective? Is it a scam or pseudoscience? Is acupuncture treatment safe during pregnancy? Is it good for low back pain? Do acupuncturists treat sports injuries? Does Acupuncture help fertility? What are the benefits of acupuncture treatment? Is there an acupuncturist near me that takes insurance? Read more about questions people ask about acupuncture.

In this blog post, I will tackle the first question- Is Acupuncture real? For answers to other questions people ask about acupuncture, visit our webpage: Acudocnc.com, or call the office of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay LAc, DC, at (919) 929-1400, or come in for a consultation. Located in Chapel Hill in Eastowne Hills and serving the Triangle region since 1995 with quality acupuncture and chiropractic, we look forward to helping you.

Is Acupuncture Real?

Acupuncture is real. According to a branch of the NIH called the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, for more than 2,500 years, acupuncture practitioners have used fine needles to treat many health conditions. Initially a branch of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture has gained worldwide support since 1970; Acupuncture is used in 80% of the world’s countries. Acupuncturists may manipulate acupuncture needles manually or with a small electric current (electroacupuncture).

Imaging studies on the brains of humans and animals show that Acupuncture may affect nervous system function. Other studies show Acupuncture’s effects on connective tissue such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay uses Acupuncture as part of a holistic treatment regimen to effect needed changes in the body and mind.

Many studies show that ‘real’ acupuncture treatment is more effective than no treatment and more effective than ‘sham’ or fake medicine. Many patients with back and neck pain, knee pain from osteoarthritis, or post-operative pain know that Acupuncture helps them. Additionally, Acupuncture can help reduce joint pain from cancer therapy, such as breast cancer aromatase inhibitor treatment. Analysis of data from more than 6,000 participants who had painful conditions such as back pain, headaches, or osteoarthritis show that the benefits of acupuncture treatment continued for more than a year or more after treatment. Other research described by the NCCIH shows the use of Acupuncture for non-pain conditions such as allergies, stress incontinence, nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment, and asthma.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, our patients enjoy the full benefit of Acupuncture, spinal and joint mobilization chiropractic, and soft tissue massage. Acupuncture provides natural relief for many people worldwide, and in our office, we are proud to offer treatments that help people get well naturally. Open Monday to Friday, we accept new patients and look forward to helping you get the answers and healthcare you need. Call us today at (919) 929-1400, email us at schedule@acudocnc.com or schedule online at acudocnc.com.