What is acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture uses extremely thin needles (approximately the width of a human hair) to both treat and prevent illness. Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine is one of the oldest medical practices in the world, originating over 2,500 years ago in China. It is still one of the most commonly used forms of medicine worldwide. Today, acupuncture theories are based on extensive research and controlled studies have shown evidence of effectiveness for many conditions. 

Acupuncture can treat a myriad of diseases and ailments. The anatomical/acupuncture points used have electrical properties which affect chemical neurotransmitters in the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, these points connect to pathways in the body which create an energy flow (qi) through the body that is responsible for overall health. When this qi flow is disrupted, it can cause disease. Acupuncture corrects any imbalances in the body in order to bring the body back to health. 

What does acupuncture feel like?

Acupuncture is performed with hair-thin, sterile, single-use needles. Patients report experiencing different sensations during treatment, often feeling energized or relaxed. On insertion of the needles, patients can feel a dull, achy, fullness sensation, distension, traveling or even a mild muscle twitch. This should be comfortable for the patient and should not cause any sharp or stabbing pain sensations.

How does acupuncture affect the body?

With consistent treatments, many benefits can be seen including, but not limited to, the following: 

Decreasing cortisol secretion, reducing stress

Decreased inflammation Improved circulation, bringing blood flow to targeted region to enhance recovery. relief of pain by secretion of opiates from the brain regulates hormone secretion, breathing rate, and heart rate - balancing nervous system

From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system, which in turn releases chemicals into the brain, spinal cord and muscles. These chemicals influence the body’s self-regulating systems as well as alter the experience of pain. When these changes occur, the body’s natural healing abilities are stimulated. East Asian medicine can be viewed as encouraging the body to heal itself from within. Additionally, this medicine is seen as extremely effective in preventing illness by encouraging the body’s self-regulating systems. 

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

In addition to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is a main modality of East Asian medicine. While acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used on their own, ideally these two are intended to be used together in order to have the most effective treatment. Chinese herbal medicine is unique in that the formulas given to patients are individualized; they are customized and created specifically for the patient’s presentation. The formulas consist of granulated herbs which the patient will take home with them and drink daily as a tea when mixed with hot water. 

Herbal formulas work to bring the body’s organ systems back into balance, therefore leading to overall systemic health. When used properly, herbal formulas rarely cause unwarranted side effects, and they are a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals and a great first line of defense in restoring optimal health. 

Additional Services:

Cupping Therapy:

Cupping therapy creates a partial vacuum at the surface of the body in order to benefit the deeper tissues. This technique promotes muscle relaxation, blood flow, nerve function, and assists in the healing of both chronic and acute health issues. 

Gua Sha Therapy:

Gua Sha therapy uses stone or ceramic tools to increase circulation to a specific area of the body. This scraping technique can promote healing, relax muscles, benefit connective tissue, and break up scar tissue.

Treatable Conditions through East Asian Medicine:

CIRCULATORY DISORDERS

ANGINA

ANEMIA

ARRHYTHMIA

HYPERTENSION

PALPITATIONS

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

ABDOMINAL PAIN

ACID REFLUX

ANOREXIA

BLOATING

CELIAC DISEASE

COLITIS

CONSTIPATION

CROHN’S DISEASE

DIARRHEA

DIVERTICULITIS

FLATULENCE / GAS

GALL STONES

HEMORRHOIDS

INDIGESTION

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

APPETITE

SPASTIC COLON

STOMACH ACHE

ULCERS

EAR, NOSE, THROAT

COLD SORES

CONJUNCTIVITIS

DIZZINESS/VERTIGO

EARACHE

EAR INFECTIONS

EAR RINGING

LACK OF BALANCE

LARYNGITIS

SINUSITIS

SORE THROAT

SWELLING/ EDEMA

TONSILITIS

EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

ANXIETY

DEPRESSION

INSOMNIA

STRESS

IMMUNE DISORDERS

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS

GRAVE’S DISEASE

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

ALLERGIES

DIABETES

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

MISC

SKIN CONDITIONS

FACIAL REJUVENATION

PREMATURE AGING

WEAK CONSTITUTION

CHRONIC INFECTIONS

WEIGHT LOSS

NEUROLOGY

SEIZURES

NERVE DAMAGE

STROKE

TREMORS

CONCUSSION

VERTIGO

LACK OF COORDINATION

LACK OF BALANCE

POOR MEMORY

DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING

PAIN

ARTHRITIS

FIBROMYALGIA

FROZEN SHOULDER

JOINT PAIN

MUSCLE SPASMS

MIGRAINE

BACK PAIN

SCIATICA

TENDONITIS

REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS

PCOS

AMENORRHEA

MALE INFERTILITY

FEMALE INFERTILITY

FIBROIDS

DYSMENORRHEA

PMDD

PMS

ENDOMETRIOSIS

PROSTATITIS

ERECTILE DISORDER

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

ASTHMA

BRONCHITIS

COPD

EMPHYSEMA

COLDS AND FLUS

PNEUMONIA

URINARY DISORDERS

BLADDER INFECTION

FREQUENT URINATION

INCONTINENCE

INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

URGENT URINATION

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Can you tell me more about your Practitioner?

Olivia Toriumi- Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Board Certified Acupuncturist & Herbalist, Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine, Bachelor of Science, and Registered Yoga Teacher- is a health care provider committed to a holistic and integrative approach to medicine. 

After graduating from Butler University with a degree in Marketing and Art + Design, Olivia became a certified yoga instructor and began teaching yoga in 2015. Teaching yoga ignited a passion for helping others and inspired her to pursue a career path with a focus of health, wellness, and holism. Through personal experience, East Asian medicine has been priceless in Olivia’s own healing. This experience with the medicine has shaped her into becoming a passionate and compassionate health care provider today. 

Olivia studied Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Science in Chicago, and graduated with a doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. The rigorous education at Pacific College included coursework in acupuncture, herbal medicine, biomedicine, and over 900 hours of clinical training. Throughout her time at Pacific College, she grew to appreciate and gravitate towards Classical Herbal Medicine and its healing effects. To deepen her classical studies and complement her Pacific College education, Olivia pursued 250 hours of professional post-graduate advanced training and is now a certified and designated Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine through ICEAM (Institute of Canonical East Asian Medicine). Olivia is currently practicing acupuncture and herbal medicine in Chicago. She loves being in the medical field and helping her patients through the personalized, holistic, dynamic care that East Asian Medicine offers.

Please connect with Olivia with any inquiries regarding treatments, services, or any requests for additional information.