ACUPUNCTURE
Movement is LIFE.
Acupuncture at Carolina Sports Clinic
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used forms of medicine in the world. Originating in China more than 4,000 years ago, acupuncture is currently one of the most widely researched, practiced, and respected forms of complementary medicine in the U.S.
According to Chinese Medicine, your overall health is determined by the quality of the Qi (energy) flow through the natural pathways of your body. Acupuncture uses a variety of techniques, including placing very thin sterile needles into specific points on the body, to stimulate and improve your Qi flow.
ASHLEY MAHOOD PARAISO, L.AC, M.OM, DIPL. OM
Ashley received her master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is licensed by the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board and is a certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Prior to her work at CSC, Ashley had a busy private practice in Washington, DC where she treated people with all manner of issues, including chronic pain, acute pain and injuries, fertility and women’s issues, pregnancy and post-partum, and stress and emotional issues. She studied Acupuncture for Sports Medicine and Pain with her mentor, Deborah Earley.
Ashley discovered the power of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine while pursuing her 500 hour yoga teacher certification years ago. She is particularly interested in the holistic nature of the medicine, treating each person as a unique and whole individual rather than just their symptoms. Ashley uses the lens of Chinese Medicine to assess a person’s overall flow and balance of energy in the body. This energy is called qi (pronounced “chee”), and flows through the body along channels (or meridians). When the qi and blood become tired or blocked, pain and other symptoms may arise. The ancient Chinese classic Huang Di Nei Jing explains, “If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is lack of free flow”. Acupuncture needles manipulate the body’s energy, bringing balance to the qi, blood and channels and thereby allowing the body to heal itself. When the body is in balance, it works efficiently and effectively, and the mind, body, and spirit thrive.
Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine and in that sense, it can be used to effectively treat a wide variety of aches, pains, symptoms, and disease. It can also be used as a vital tool to complement Western medical treatments, such as chiropractic and physical therapy. Acupuncture can be used as an important part of an overall wellness and prevention plan to keep the body and mind in balance and thriving. Acupuncture is non-invasive and has little or no adverse side effects.
Ashley recently moved to Charlotte from Washington, DC and can often be found chasing around her two young sons and her adopted pit mix, Fischer.
The many benefits of this type of therapy include:
- Pain reduction
- Relaxation of body and mind
- Stress and tension relief
- Increased blood circulation
- Increased energy levels
- Aided digestion and toxin removal
- Improved internal organ function
- Relief from bad habits and addictions
- Greater sense of overall well-being
- Improved sleep, digestion, and mental clarity
Acupuncture is a comprehensive medical modality which can treat a wide variety of issues. Common complaints that generally respond well to acupuncture treatment include (but is NOT limited to):
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- Headaches and migraines
- Injury and pain
- Painful or irregular periods, PMS
- Fertility support, including natural conception and support during IUI/IVF
- Pregnancy and post-partum support
- Insomnia
- Immune support, including sinus issues, allergies, frequent colds
- Asthma
- Digestive issues
- Hormonal imbalances, including thyroid issues
- Complex or chronic health issues of unknown origin or that have responded poorly to other forms of treatment
- Overall health, wellness, and prevention
Acupuncture is a highly individualized treatment. With a background in Chinese medicine, the licensed acupuncturist is trained to garner information about your state of balance by feeling the pulse and looking at your tongue. The intake appointment is up to 90 minutes and follow up appointments are up to 60 minutes. During this time, you relax on the table with the needles in for 20-30 minutes.
Sports Acupuncture is used in the treatment of injuries as well as musculoskeletal and constitutional imbalances, and is often effective for relieving muscle pain and spasm and improving circulation to tense or injured tissues. Within our clinic we commonly find acupuncture especially effective for tendon and ligament sprain/strains and chronic injuries that have been poorly responsive to other types of treatment.
According to basic Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory, health is viewed as a balance between opposing forces (e.g. yin and yang) in the body. Forces that disrupt this balance are seen to move the body away from health and toward disease and poor function. Herbal medicines, diet, acupuncture, and exercise are all seen as ways to balance these forces to promote health and in the case of athletes, to improve performance. The body’s innate ability to self-heal is activated when the body is in balance.