Welcome to Bakersfield Acupuncture Clinic, and thank your interest in our clinic!

Over the past 5,000 years, acupuncture has evolved into a complete medical system that can diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. Acupuncture starts with a deep respect for the human body and its innate ability to heal. In Asian Medicine, we see pain and disease as a disruption of the body's natural self regulation. An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on your body. This quick and easy insertion stimulates your body's energy, called Qi, unblocks any obstruction of Qi, strengthens your body, helps you to heal from acute or chronic problems, and balances both body and mind. According to modern scientific research, acupuncture stimulates the brain and body to release neurotransmitters and beneficial chemicals, such as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, to further pain-relieving actions and decrease withdrawal symptoms. Endorphins play a significant role in the hormonal system, which is why acupuncture is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, PMS and infertility. Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and painless way to treat a wide variety of conditions.

Many people feel very relaxed right after acupuncture and then experience a noticeable improvement in symptoms around 4 - 24 hours after treatment. In the beginning, the improvement may last from a few days to a week or so. The frequency and number of treatments varies person to person. Some people experience dramatic relief in the first treatment, others may take months to see results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute problems. The benefits of acupuncture treatments continue to build upon the previous treatment and therefore the accumulated result is far better than the individual treatment. Experts recommend 2 sessions per week for five to eight weeks.

Some people wonder if the needles will hurt and the answer is "no." Patients new to acupuncture are often surprised to find how relaxed and refreshed they feel during the session, some even fall asleep. Acupuncture needles are typically thinner than a human hair, and their insertion is practically imperceptible. It is nothing like getting an ordinary injection. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place. Once a needle is set, you might feel a warmth, tingling, or heavy sensation that comes and goes during the treatment. Sensations should always be more interesting than uncomfortable! Once the needles are set (usually about 10-15 in a treatment), you will be left to rest for about 20-30 minutes. At this time you might fall asleep or enter even deeper into a tranquil state.

Acupuncture is extremely safe and natural. It is a "drug-free" therapy that does not interfere with medication or cause additional side-effects. When performed properly by a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is one of the safest forms of health care in the world. Side effects are very rare and are usually limited to minor bruising or mild fatigue for up to 24 hours post-treatment. We practice Clean Needle Technique and only use single-use, pre-sterilized needles, disposed of after each use, so infection is a non-issue.

Yes. Children normally respond even more quickly to these holistic treatments than adults. Their bodies are going through rapid growth and development-even a small stimulus in the direction of health elicits a long lasting overall benefit.

Ear Acupuncture, also referred to as Auricular Therapy or Auriculo-Acupuncture is a modality of acupuncture that involves inserting needles into specific points on the ear. Acupuncture needles and/or ear seeds are placed in these points. Ear seeds (Vaccaria Seeds) can be kept in place for 4-7 days and are stimulated by self-pressing these points several times a day for a few minutes for continuous therapeutics effects of acupuncture. Benefits of ear acupuncture include increased calmness, better sleep, less agitation, relief from stress, anxiety and emotional trauma, reduced cravings for alcohol and drugs including nicotine, minimized withdrawal symptoms, weight loss and a discovery of inner quiet and strength.

Electro-acupuncture, the application of a gentle pulsating microcurrent to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupunture points, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934. With manual acupuncture, stimulation is brief and intermittent, only low frequency is possible, and strong manipulation risks tissue damage. Using electro-acupuncture, the patient can receive continuous stimulation for the duration of the treatment and the frequency of stimulation can be significantly higher without causing tissue damage. The effects of electro-acupuncture, in some situations, can be faster and greater than manual acupuncture, and electro-acupuncture can be used for conditions that are not responding to traditional treatment. While electro-acupuncture can be used for a wide variety of conditions, it is especially good in the treatment of neurological diseases, chronic pain, spasms, and paralysis.

There are very little side effects with cupping therapy. Some patients experience mild discomfort when the cups are placed. The cups can leave a dark color resembling a bruise when removed, depending on how much stagnation is in the area. The marks are a result of unwanted toxing being pulled up to the skin. This color will start fading the day after treatment. The darkest of colors take a week to disappear completely.

In Asian Medicine, there are a wide variety of herbs and formulas available which are used to alleviate an equally broad array of concerns. They are recommended to tonifying the energy, detox or clear it of excess problems like a cold, fever, dampness or blood stagnation. Sometimes your practitioner may suggest starting with acupuncture, and then adding herbs to your treatment. They will do this in order to build up your internal strength so your body can receive the full benefits acupuncture has to offer. Customized herbal formula will be prepared for you in capsules/tablet, powder or vacuum-packed liquid form, making herbs convenient for your lifestyle.

Qi is described as life force energy that animates your body. It provides you with the ability to talk, walk, think, metabolize, dream, and love. Qi also protects you from illness, keeping you strong and healthy. Qi circulates through specific pathways called Meridians. There are 14 meridians pathways traveling throughout your body. Each one is connected to an organ system. Meridian pathways are like rivers. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving waters, nourishing the land and people around it. Like rivers, your meridian pathways transport life-giving Qi to energize and nourish your entire body, cells, tissues, and organs. When Qi travels freely throughout your body, you can enjoy good physical, mental and emotional health. An obstruction of Qi in your body acts like a dam. Backing up Qi flow in one area of your body, and restricting it in other areas. Restricting the flow of Qi will affect the proper nourishment your body requires in order to function correctly.

Physical or emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, poor diet, repetitive strain, excessive activity, seasonal changes, or a weak constitution can all lead to imbalances that disrupt the normal flow of Qi. Under normal circumstances when a disruption occurs, you will easily bounce back, returning to balanced, good health. But when disruption to Qi is prolonged or excessive, or if your body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, and disease can set in.

The tongue is a map of your body, reflecting the general health of your organ and meridian systems. Your acupuncturist will look at the color, shape and coating of your tongue. There are 6 main positions in the radial artery on your wrists that your acupuncturist will place their finger. Each position corresponds to an organ and meridian system. The function and condition of each organ is evaluated by the quality, speed and strength of the blood flow in those specific positions.