Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a time-tested system of healthcare that uses very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body to stimulate physiological responses and support the body's natural healing processes. Rooted in thousands of years of Chinese medicine, acupuncture is now widely used as an effective and natural therapy for pain, stress, women's health, digestive concerns and a wide range of other health conditions.

At Acupuncture for Balanced Wellness, we've provided personalized acupuncture in the Chicago Loop since 2008. Our licensed, board-certified acupuncturists combine the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with a modern understanding of the body to create treatments tailored to each patient's symptoms, health history and goals.

Acupuncture can be understood through both the traditional principles of Chinese medicine and our modern understanding of human physiology.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Chinese medicine, health is viewed as a state of dynamic balance. Qi—often translated as vital energy—and blood circulate through interconnected pathways throughout the body called meridians. When this balance or circulation becomes disrupted by injury, illness, emotional stress, lifestyle factors or other influences, pain and other symptoms may develop. This can eventually lead to chronic disease.

Acupuncture uses carefully selected points to address these patterns of imbalance, promote healthy circulation of Qi and blood and support the body's ability to regulate and heal. In other words, acupuncture helps to unblock and balance the body's natural flow of energy to encourage health and vitality.

The Modern Perspective
Modern research has explored acupuncture's calming effects on the nervous system, pain-processing pathways, connective tissue, local circulation, muscle tension, inflammatory signaling and the release of neurochemicals involved in pain and other physiological processes.

Rather than operating through one single mechanism, acupuncture appears to produce a variety of local and systemic responses—which may help explain why treatment can affect more than just the area where a needle is placed. 

At our clinic, we value both perspectives: the whole-person framework of traditional Chinese medicine and the evolving scientific understanding of acupuncture's physiological effects.

One of acupuncture's strengths is its versatility. It can be used on its own or as part of an integrative treatment plan alongside conventional medicine, physical therapy, massage, exercise and other forms of healthcare.

Patients commonly visit our Chicago acupuncture clinic for:

• Pain & Musculoskeletal Conditions
Back and neck pain, shoulder and knee pain, sciatica, arthritis, headaches and migraines, sports injuries and other acute or chronic pain concerns.
• Fertility & Women's Health
  Fertility and IVF support, menstrual concerns, pregnancy, postpartum care, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause and other women's health concerns.
• Facial Rejuvenation & Healthy Aging
  Cosmetic acupuncture can support healthy, radiant-looking skin by promoting circulation, encouraging natural collagen production, easing facial tension and addressing visible signs of aging such as fine lines, loss of tone and dullness.
• Stress, Anxiety & Sleep
Support for stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension and other symptoms associated with an overactive stress response.
• Digestive & Metabolic Health
  Acupuncture can be incorporated into a broader approach to digestive concerns, gut health, metabolic health and overall wellness.
• Hormonal, Inflammatory & Chronic Conditions
  We also work with patients seeking complementary support for hormonal concerns, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions and other complex or chronic health issues.

Explore Conditions We Treat

Because the Same Diagnosis Doesn't Always Mean the Same Treatment

One of the principles that distinguishes Chinese medicine is that treatment is based on the individual, not simply the name of a condition.

Two patients with migraines, for example, may have very different symptoms, triggers, health histories and underlying patterns—and therefore receive different acupuncture treatments.

Your acupuncturist considers your primary concern along with relevant aspects of your overall health, such as sleep, stress, digestion, energy, lifestyle and other symptoms. Traditional Chinese diagnostic techniques, including examination of the tongue and pulse, may also help guide treatment.

Your acupuncture point prescription and treatment strategy are then tailored to your individual presentation and adjusted over time as your needs change.

Depending on your needs, acupuncture treatment at our clinic may be complemented by other therapeutic techniques:

• Electroacupuncture
  Gentle electrical stimulation applied to selected acupuncture needles, frequently incorporated into treatment for pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Cupping
  A traditional suction therapy commonly used to address muscle tension, soreness and restricted movement. This therapy can also be useful in helping with lymphatic drainage. and detoxification of the tissues.
• Gua Sha
  A traditional technique that uses gentle scraping of the skin to stimulate superficial tissues and circulation.
• Tuina
  Hands-on techniques may be incorporated to address muscle tension and complement acupuncture treatment.
• Heat Therapy
  Therapeutic warmth such as infrared or TDP lamps may be used when appropriate to relax tissues and complement treatment.
• Herbal Therapy
  For some patients, herbal therapy can be a very effective form of treatment. Along with acupuncture, natural herbal supplements can help bring the body back into balance and can serve as an effective way of continuing treatment even while not in the office receiving acupuncture. Only reputable, high-quality sources of herbs are used.

We don't automatically add these therapies to every session. Your acupuncturist chooses techniques based on your individual needs and treatment goals.

Acupuncture for Balanced Wellness ha provided acupuncture in the Chicago Loop since 2008. Our experienced, licensed acupuncturists have helped thousands of patients and share a commitment to providing thoughtful, individualized care.

We believe excellent acupuncture should also be accessible. That's why we offer reasonable self-pay rates and work with many major insurance plans when acupuncture benefits are included.

Whether you're seeking relief from pain, support for a specific health concern or a natural way to improve your overall well-being, our goal is to help you feel better, restore balance and support lasting health.

Conditions We Treat  | Meet Our Acupuncturists  | Book an Appointment

New to acupuncture? Learn what to expect, treatment frequency, insurance coverage and more in our Patient FAQs