Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative form of treatment that has been practiced for thousands of years. This technique involves the insertion of thin metal needles into a person’s skin targeting specific points on the body.

A significant component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture aims to restore balance to the body and mind. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture for relieving pain and addressing a wide range of conditions.
Acupuncture is minimally invasive but can have effects on connective tissue, organs, glands and the combined functions of all of the systems in the body. It is somewhat subtle but has enormous health benefits.
At GWP, we are proud to offer our clients a high level of individualized care so they can achieve optimal wellness.
Our acupuncture services in Gainesville can complement physical therapy and other types of therapy to treat various health conditions.
Each session is done by our qualified and experienced acupuncturist who knows the right techniques to use based on your needs.
HOW ACUPUNCTURE AFFECTS THE BODY
The ancient Chinese discovered that there are 12 pathways (known as meridians) that run as invisible lines throughout the body. These meridians carry a vital energy called “Qi” (pronounced “chee”) and it can get blocked, depleted, or disturbed.
This can happen because of emotional, physical, or environmental reasons. These imbalances can lead to pain or illness and acupuncture uses the stimulation of nerves and connective tissue to regain balance.
Over the past 10 years research in the field of acupuncture has slowly increased. Studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that acupuncture can be effective in reducing pain, specifically lower back, neck and knee pain, headaches, side effects of chemotherapy and several other conditions.
Acupuncture therapy is believed to stimulate the body’s central nervous system and signal the release of various substances into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Thus, it can help manage pain and change how pain is experienced in the body, promoting overall physical and emotional health.

BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY
Acupuncture is proven to be effective as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other therapies and can help treat the following:
Reduces Stress
Unhealthy stress levels can weaken the immune system and cause various physical and mental health issues. Acupuncture therapy has been found to decrease stress hormones and reduce anxiety or depression, improving one’s mental well-being and mood. Managing our mental health can also have a positive effect on high blood pressure.
Alleviates Low Back Pain
One of the most common health concerns that acupuncture can help with is low back pain. Studies have found that acupuncture therapy helped decrease the pain intensity and improved the function of patients with lower back pain.
Relieves Headaches and Migraines
Patients suffering from chronic tension-type headaches or migraines can greatly benefit from acupuncture. Research has found that this treatment provides effective pain relief while reducing the occurrence of headaches or migraines. Migraines and cluster headaches can be debilitating but getting treatment before it starts can really be beneficial.
Improves Sleep Quality and Insomnia
Nobody enjoys waking up at 2am and not being able to fall back asleep. Acupuncture can increase the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycles. By stimulating strategic points in the body, acupuncture therapy restores one’s ability to fall and remain asleep easily. Acupuncture can help reset your sleep patterns.
Sports Injuries
Whether you are a weekend warrior or professional athlete, you may need some muscle recovery or maintenance. Acupuncture is also excellent for post-surgical pain and scar tissue.
Digestive Function
Together with nutritional support, many issues related to digestion can be improved: bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and bowel movements are some examples.
Immunity Booster
At certain times of the year we can run our bodies down and acupuncture can help give you that energy boost to help fight off infections or keep the body in balance from autoimmune diseases. This is also good for seasonal allergies.
Female Health
Acupuncture can help with the rhythm and flow as well as assist in regulating hormones to decrease pain, irritability, polycystic ovary syndrome, and increase ovulation.
Male Health
Just like women, men can suffer from fertility issues and low libido. Acupuncture can play a major role in helping boost sperm count and addressing low testosterone levels. Addressing the root cause of the issues will increase sex drive and can help with erectile dysfunction.
Menopause
Comes with a plethora of other symptoms: night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain, hormone imbalances, you name it and acupuncture can make dramatic differences in your menopause experience.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture has shown to be beneficial for treating the following conditions:
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dental pain
- Facial palsy (early stage, ie within six months)
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder
- High or low blood pressure
- Induction of labor
- Infertility
- Knee pain
- Meniere’s disease
- Menstrual cramps
- Myofascial pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Osteoarthritis
- Peptic ulcer
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scar Tissue (new and old)
- Sciatica
- Side effects from chemotherapy and radiation
- Sprain
- Tennis elbow
What should I expect during my first treatment?
Before arriving at your first treatment, you will be asked to fill out some intake forms. These will be the start of the interview and it will include your chief reasons for treatment, health history of you and family members, current medications, nutritional information, and lifestyle.
During the discussion other topics may be discussed – these can range from sleeping patterns to sex life, work responsibilities to who does the food shopping and whether you have pets. All these answers will help make connections in your health and make your treatment personal to you.
After the interview you will receive your first treatment. Don’t worry, even if you have a fear of needles, be assured that they are very small and virtually painless. Sometimes you will feel a tiny prick, especially if inserted in certain areas like the hands and feet. Sometimes you will need to undress, but most of the time treatments will be done dressed. Sessions last from 30-60 minutes depending on what is being treated.
How often will I need treatments?
This is something that is discussed in your first treatment. If your situation is acute then generally you need to come more often, meaning you should expect to come once or twice a week for a couple of weeks. You may feel relief after one session but follow ups are important to make sure all symptoms are addressed. If you are struggling with something that is chronic or ongoing, a treatment plan of once a week for a month may be suggested and then sessions can be spaced out to once a month for maintenance.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Book a session with our licensed acupuncturist today. Get in touch with us for more information or inquiries.