Acupuncture

Discover how this ancient practice can relieve long-standing pain and promote wellness.

great for increasing flexibility and overall performance

create lasting effects with at-home exercises

works with the body, not against it

Acupuncture Therapy in Colorado Springs

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a complete medical system that is used to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. Acupuncture treats by helping to regulate and focus the body’s own natural healing energies. Thus the body is encouraged to heal itself, and then to maintain this higher degree of order (health). Acupuncture originated in Asia more than 4,000 years ago and, due to its proven effectiveness, has been embraced throughout the world.

How does Acupuncture Work?

The bioelectric energy – referred to as Qi (pronounced “chee”) by the Chinese – circulates throughout the body along well-defined pathways. Points on the skin along these pathways are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures, and systems. If this energy circulation is disrupted, optimum function is affected and this results in pain or illness. Acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, which influences the health of the whole body.

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What our clients have to say

I came to Dr. Larson in 1988 to deal with the pain in my back. I was pleasantly surprised to find the acupuncture process to be far gentler and easier (and more relaxing) than I initially expected (I’ve never liked needles or shots, but as I discovered the needles he uses are so tiny as to not really warrant the name “needle”).

My pain was not as quickly dispatched as I had hoped, but then it took me many years to create it and so the four months it took to dispel it seems a fair trade.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that although I had come in to address my pain issues, Dr. Larson made a point of teaching me that my entire body is inter-connected, and so I found that I was soon sleeping better, and although I never told him about my upset stomach, that resolved also.

Edna

I want to say thank you to Dr. Dick Larson for the healing and transformation he helped me to achieve when I came to him with my complaint of major anxiety that I had suffered with my entire life.

I spent years going through many medical tests and medications, yet I was still not any better; Dr. Larson’s calm demeanor and solid confidence in his work gave me a renewed optimism that perhaps my problems could be addressed. I am happy to say that I feel like a new person, with a new lease on life. I also find that I no longer grind my teeth when I sleep at night, which was a strong symptom of the anxiety, and was incredibly painful and unpleasant.

My overall body tension is gone, and when I do feel it starting to creep back, I have been able to return to Dr. Larson for a simple treatment or two to address my getting back out of balance, and find myself back in balance again.

Susan

Many thanks to Dr. Larson for his expertise in his acupuncture studies, allowing him to offer such a unique and healthy modality for better health and balance in ones life. I am a classic Type A doer in my work and my life, and I pushed myself to achieve and do and complete - always. I noticed along the way that my body was seeming to pay the price for me pushing myself, but I had no idea how to change that. Dr. Larson gave me a new sense of being able to listen to my own body, letting it lead me, rather than making it do what I wanted it to do and suffering the consequences. His acupuncture treatments were gentle and pleasant, and lead to a deep sense of relaxation - I looked forward to each treatment knowing that like a good nap, I would leave feeling harmonious and refreshed.

Jim

I had been in pain for over a year and was constantly seeing massage therapists for my shoulder and head ache pain. Mr. Larson fixed my shoulder after several sessions of Rolfing.  I’ve also used his services for acupuncture and it has been amazing! I have gone to acupuncture sessions before with other therapists and was told my body doesn’t respond to it. Well those people were wrong. This is where you want to go to get your body healed from any pain!

Melody
January 6, 2021

A Brief History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture affects the entire body through its many physiologic processes. The immune system, nerve supply, blood circulation, respiration, lymph and endocrine systems and more are all stimulated to aid the body in doing what it does best – heal itself. More than simple pain relief, Acupuncture facilitates healing by strengthening overall function rather than by a nerve-blocking or narcotic effect. Physiological balance is restored, and normal functioning resumes. Unlike other forms of treatment, Acupuncture has no harmful side effects.


The Benefits

Since Acupuncture promotes the body’s natural healing ability, most conditions can be corrected or improved. Also, Acupuncture is a comprehensive system of preventive health care and health maintenance. The effectiveness of Acupuncture is well documented and extends far beyond the conception that it is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic.

Many athletes have discovered that Acupuncture treatment helps them to achieve optimum performance levels. Recently, Acupuncture detoxification treatments have been recognized as an effective form of therapy for chemical dependency problems. Throughout its long history, Acupuncture has established a solid reputation as a system of health care that works.

WESTERN MEDICINE’S ACCEPTANCE OF ACUPUNCTURE

The American Medical Association has no official position on Acupuncture – and so the views of individual doctors depend on how well informed they are about this system of healing. AMA medicine doesn’t work in every case (neither does Acupuncture). An increasing number of local physicians refer patients to Acupuncture; indeed, some come in themselves for treatments.

As time passes, and doctors and other health care providers continue to learn about Acupuncture and its effectiveness, it will be recognized and chosen as a primary form of health care.

Center for Well Being Acupuncture Treatment Center

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

“The inferior physician treats diseases, the superior physician teaches the well to remain well.”
~ The Nei Ching (ancient Chinese Medical Text)

Today’s contemporary lifestyle presents a challenge to each of us to maintain physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Our overall health is affected by many factors. The traditional Oriental and contemporary holistic medical views on health deal not only with what the doctor can do, but what the patient can do to heal and prevent disease.

In addition to treating both acute and chronic disorders, Acupuncture can be used to help create and maintain an optimal state of well-being. This “tuning-up” of the body’s energies enables one to better respond to life and its stresses, providing the basis for a healthy and vigorous life. This concept of working with the individual to encourage and maintain the highest level of health, commonly known as Preventive Medicine, is true “health care”; as contrasted with the more typical “sickness care” practiced in our country.

Clients are treated on an individual basis, brought into a state of balance and vitality, and then return seasonally to “re-tune” and acclimate to the coming shifts in activity, lifestyle, and weather that accompanies each of the distinct seasons.

It’s not amazing that acupuncture works – what is amazing is how well it works.

What to Expect during your Acupuncture Sessions

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Over the centuries, refined needle insertion techniques have been developed which enable the skilled Acupuncturist to place a needle with little or no sensation. Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the size of a hair. They are solid and nothing is injected through them. Clients are relieved to discover that Acupuncture is not painful.

Once the needles are in place, different sensations such as warmth, tingling, or heaviness may be felt, but the energetic sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing.

After the needles are inserted, the individual rests for five to thirty or more minutes, depending on the condition being treated. Afterwards, one often feels calm and relaxed, a sense of well being quite separate from the degree of pain relief. Enjoy this mild euphoria – it’s harmless.

Acupuncture needlesWhen most people hear the word ‘needle” as in an acupuncture needle, they have a negative reaction, since the only needle they have experienced was a hypodermic needle, through which they got a “shot”.

Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin – perhaps the size of a hair – and so this image is of 20 acupuncture needles inside the opening of a hypodermic needle. They are pre-sterilized, FDA regulated and they are used one time only and then disposed of safely.

Types of Treatment

Treatment with Acupuncture needles is the most commonly used technique. However, Acupuncturists may use other forms of treatment such as cupping, and a variety of massage and specific therapeutic exercises. They may also suggest dietary modifications and herbal preparations.

Number of Sessions Required

Since each person is unique, the number of treatments required will vary. A full series may take anywhere from two to four (for acute problems, or for colds or flu), to sometimes as many a dozen or more for long-standing problems.

Among the determining factors are the type and severity of the condition, whether the condition is chronic or acute, and the vitality of the individual. The sooner Acupuncture treatment begins after onset of a health problem, the more rapidly you will respond.

Everyone has his or her own unique history and lifestyle, and must be treated individually. Please discuss your treatment program with Dr. Larson.

Is Acupuncture only good for treating pain?  

The World Health Organization has recognized Acupuncture is an effective treatment for a huge number of conditions. While many people associate Acupuncture with pain management and as a solution for dealing with chronic pain it can actually treat conditions like; allergies, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, nausea as a result of chemotherapy, dental pain, depression, facial pain, pain in the knee, painful menstruation, kidney stones, sciatica, stroke recovery, inducing labor, reducing swelling and more. Acupuncture goes far beyond pain treatment and many people even go to see Acupuncture professionals if they are experiencing any sort of symptoms. Acupuncture can help us to feel our best as well as keep our body as balanced as possible.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION LIST OF CONDITIONS that lend themselves to Acupuncture Treatment

The World Health Organization acknowledges that Acupuncture “regulates the function of the body to increase its resistance by enhancing the immune system.”

While this list is not exhaustive – in my clinical experience I have found many more conditions that respond well to Acupuncture – it does begin to suggest the wide range of application of this ancient healing therapy.

In the meantime, many people are turning to Acupuncture, because they find it to be and much more cost-effective than other types of treatment.

Neurological Disorders

  •  Cervicobrachial syndrome (Neck pain)
  •  Disc problems (Spine)
  •  Facial (Bell’s) palsy (early stage, within 3 to 6 months)
  •  Headache and migraine
  •  Intercostal neuralgia (nerve pain running between ribs)
  •  Meniere’s Disease (vertigo, tinnitus and deafness)
  •  Neurogenic bladder dysfunction (poor bladder control)
  •  Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
  •  Paresis following stroke (Paralysis)
  •  Peripheral neuropathies (Pain & numbness in hands, feet)
  •  Trigeminal neuralgia (Face pain)

Musculo-skeletal Disorders

  •  Arthritis
  •  Fibromyalgia (Widespread pain and fatigue)
  •  “Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
  •  Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis
  •  Low back pain
  •  Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
  •  Osteoarthritis
  •  SciaticaWork and sports related injuries

Respiratory System Disorders

  • Acute bronchitis
  • Acute rhinitis (Stuffy, runny nose)
  • Acute sinusitis (Nasal infection – plugged nose, face pain)
  • Acute tonsillitis
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Common cold

Gynecological Disorders

  • Benign amenorrhea (Absence of menstruation)
  • Benign Irregular Menstruation
  • Dysmenorrhea (Painful menstruation)
  • Menopause syndrome
  • PMS

Disorders of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth

  • Acute and chronic pharyngitis (Sore throat)
  • Acute conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Cataract (without complications)
  • Central retinitis (Inflammation of retina of eye)
  • Gingivitis (Inflamed gums)
  • Myopia (in children) (Near-sightedness)
  • Toothaches, post extraction pain

Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Acute and chronic Colitis (Inflammation of colon)
  • Acute and chronic Gastritis (Inflammation of stomach)
  • Acute bacillary Dysentery (Diarrhea with blood)
  • Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complication)
  • Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
  • Constipation
  • Gastric hyperacidity (Burning in stomach)
  • Gastroptosis (Downward displacement of stomach)
  • Diarrhea
  • Hiccough
  • Irritable Bowel and Colitis
  • Paralytic ileus (Intestinal blockage)
  • Spasms of esophagus and cardia

Psychological Disorders

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Hypersomnia (Sleepy through the day)
  • Insomnia
  • OCD
  • PTSD
  • Somatization disorder (Symptoms involving multiple parts of body, with no physical cause)

Cardiovascular Disorders

  • Essential hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Other Disorders

  • Appetite suppression
  • Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs

I came to Dr. Larson with long-standing digestive issues, and his acupuncture treatments enabled me to reduce, and eventually end all of he medications I was on (and all of their side-effects). I appreciate Dr. Larson’s depth of knowledge fot the entire body and his dedication to offering natural health care.

Larry

Experience relief from pain

Do you suffer from pain, headaches, stress, anxiety, depression, arthritis, and menstrual disorders? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have you gone to all the doctors and specialists, and they can find nothing wrong? Are you ready to reclaim your body and your health?

Acupuncture treatments may relieve your symptoms, revive your energy, and restore the natural state of balance of your mind, body, and spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Feel free to get in touch with us to answer specific questions.