Acupuncture is a system of healing. Toni King MS, LAc, our Licensed Acupuncturist, inserts tiny needles to bring about physiological change. These acupuncture points conduct the vital energy of the body known as Qi. Disruptions in this energy flow can cause pain or illness. Acupuncture corrects these imbalances and the NIH has stated that it is the only known modality that has only positive side effects, such as providing better sleep when treating a liver imbalance.
Acupuncture is considered one of the most effective therapies available to balance the nervous system. Toni’s goal is to successfully integrate acupuncture to other wellness services offered at Healthy Weighs Wellness Center to enhance the outcome of treatment.
Meet Our Acupuncturist
Toni King MS Lac, a Licensed Acupuncturist in both Connecticut and New York, is recognized as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Toni earned her Clinical Masters at TSCA in NYC. She has been classically trained In Japanese Kiiko Matsumoto Style Acupuncture (KM), Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCM), and Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM). Toni has also completed three internships with highly recognized KM style practitioners in both Connecticut and New York. She has obtained training and certificates in Facial Rejuvenation and Mai Zen cosmetic Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Essential Oils, Gynecology/Fertility, Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, Chinese Dietary Theory and Practice, Zero Balancing, Shiatsu, and Reiki, as well as Micro needling and Nano needling for skin care issues and to treat Hair Loss. Toni also offers Light Therapy, E-stim, and Near and Far Infrared Therapy where appropriate.
Toni’s strives to help her patients achieve optimal health for their lifetime.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine filiform needles at different points on your body. It is often used to treat complex pain conditions but also treats many health conditions, and improves overall wellness, injury prevention, and stress management.
Acupuncture balances the body. This vital life energy is known as qi or chi which flows through channels or meridians throughout the body.
Using scientific terms and biomedical concepts, Acupuncture works by stimulating the systems of the body, creating biochemical changes that induce the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being, therefore helping the body to achieve homeostasis or balance.
Hence, by inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, energy flow will re-balance and help the body’s organ systems communicate smoothly.
What does Acupuncture treat?
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that Acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:
- Addiction
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dental pain after surgery
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Low back pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Myofascial pain
- Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Respiratory disorders, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Tennis elbow
Many people seek Acupuncture treatment for relief of chronic pain. However, Acupuncture may also benefit other conditions such as:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Anxiety
- Bronchitis
- Depression
- Gastritis
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Irritable bladder
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Male infertility
- Menstrual pain
- Migraines
- Nervousness
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Neurosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Postoperative pain
- Prostatitis
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
What is the typical patient’s journey and initial consultation?
Prior to your first acupuncture appointment you will complete a comprehensive intake form. This form asks about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Oriental medicine takes everything into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them leaves its mark.
After reviewing your intake form, we will discuss your condition, and Toni may examine your pulse and tongue, which are two of the basic diagnostic methods of Oriental medicine. More often, Toni will examine your Hara (Japanese KM Style abdominal palpation). This gives an accurate picture of how your body is running right now. Then, any areas of concern will be addressed (i.e. for shoulder pain, we’ll carefully check the shoulder and shoulder girdle, etc.). Any pressure pain in the symptomatic area are cleared as completely as possible during the treatment. The acupuncture points chosen will depend on what we are treating.
Once the needles are inserted, you will lie comfortably for approximately 10-20 minutes with the needles in place. Many people find this part of Acupuncture deeply relaxing because the treatment balances the body- and the body loves to be balanced! It is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during this time, and in fact it is helpful to let yourself fall asleep- even if only for a few moments. This is like hitting the ‘reset’ button for your body.
What is an example of follow-up Acupuncture appointments?
Follow-up appointments will take around 1 hour to complete. Most patients will have 4 to 8 treatments within a 3 to 4-week period and experience improvement. Relief can be felt anywhere from the first appointment to the final appointment – although results vary from person to person. Patients often wish to continue after their initial complaints are addressed to manage their chronic problems or they may return for maintenance as needed. Think of Acupuncture like a checkup at the dentist, if problems are addressed early, it takes much less treatment to resolve them.
Cupping & Gua Sha
Cupping & Gua Sha originated in China and have been used for thousands of years in many countries. They treat a host of conditions such as respiratory ailments, back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain. A vacuum lifts the patient’s skin, pulling metabolic waste called ‘Sha’ to the surface to relieve stagnation, where as Gua Sha pulls Sha to the surface by frictioning.
Both methods remove the Sha (metabolic waste), which helps facilitate the flow of qi and blood in the body relieving pain and stagnation.
In doing so, cupping and Gua Sha relieves muscle tension, and improve blood flow and lymph drainage to promote tissue repair.
Meet Our Licensed Acupuncturist
Toni King MS, LAc