Acupuncture
Katharine has been practicing acupuncture for over 30 years. Her specialty is pain management especially back and neck pain but she is effective at treating most conditions. She has also created Spa acupuncture treatments which involve adding massage, body and energy work to your session.
These unique and luxurious treatments Will powerfully relax and rejuvenate you along with the healing power of acupuncture .
SERVICES
Acupuncture 60 min $100,
Acupuncture 90 minutes $150.
These services can include any of the additional combinations listed for no additional cost.
Just book for 60 or 90 minutes. We can discuss all of the options you’d like to add when you come in.
What is acupunture?
Acupuncture has been a powerful form of medicine for over 3,000 years. It originated in China but quickly became widely used in Japan and Korea as well. Today is it utilized all over the world.
It involves inserting very fine needles on specific points along pathways of energy, that run up and down the body. They connect to the organs, nerves, muscles, hormone systems, and our emotional systems to restore health and balance. These pathways are called Meridians or Channels and the specific points are referred to as Acupuncture or Acupressure points. Those are the same thing, it just refers to whether the points are stimulated by a needle or touch.
Why use acupunture?
Acupuncture has been proven effective to effectively assist:
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low back pain,
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neck pain,
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knee pain,
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arthritis,
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anxiety,
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depression,
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gastrointestinal disorders,
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infertility,
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menstrual disorders,
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fibromyalgia,
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menopausal symptoms,
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migraines
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and much more.
Services
Acupuncture
(60 minutes)
Acupuncture is a powerful ancient treatment using very fine, sterile needles inserted into specific points on the body to increase circulation and enhance well-being. It can be used to de-stress, unwind or give your body a refreshing ”tune-up”. It can be used to detox, reduce pain and anxiety, aid sleep and digestion, and strengthen the immune system. It is customized to your individual needs. It is gentle and relaxing. You don’t have to have anything wrong to enjoy an acupuncture treatment. In fact, traditionally it was done to keep you well, much like regular maintenance on your car. It was the pioneer in preventative Medicine.
Acupuncture with Hot Stone Massage
(90 min)
Indulge yourself in the combination of acupuncture followed by hot stone massage. Acupuncture increases circulation and often causes immediate release of tension. It is a powerful way to create balance from deep within. Adding the therapeutic benefits of hot stone massage after your acupuncture treatment is the ultimate in relaxation. The heat from the stones penetrates your body to allow your muscles to relax deeply. It is customized to your address your individual needs.
Acupuncture with Cupping and Gua Sha (60, 90 min)
Cupping and Gua Sha are powerful, ancient techniques that decrease inflammation and pain, increase blood flow and circulation and stimulate the immune system. It is not painful. Like massage, it should be done to each person’s comfort level.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not to remove ‘toxins but to release blockages that cause pain and tension. In areas where the energy has been stuck for a very long time, or in areas where the tissues have been injured, there will often be petechiae, or red or purple bruising . It can look quite startling but it is not painful. It can be sore, like having a deep tissue massage. The marks will go away in a 1-7 days, depending on each person. That reaction usually becomes less and less over time as the pain and tension decrease, and the energy flows more smoothly.
Cupping is the process of using silicone, plastic or glass jars placed on the skin to create a suction. It is a type of a deep tissue massage. It is usually done on the back but can be done on the sides of the legs or above the knee to relieve pain and inflammation.
Gua Sha or Scraping is similar to cupping but it uses a ceramic spoon or scraping tool. It can be used in smaller areas than cupping such as the neck. It is often used on the face to increase circulation. When it is done on the face it is not done with the same intensity as places on the body, so it will not leave marks.
Acupuncture is done first based on your specific needs. It relaxes the body, calms the mind and allows the Cupping and/or Gua Sha to be even more effective. After the needles are taken out, Cupping and/or Gua Sha will be done on areas needing extra attention.
Prenatal Acupuncture
(60, 90 min)
Acupuncture is safe for pregnancy. In fact, many doctors and midwives recommend acupuncture to help ease some of the possible discomforts of pregnancy such as morning sickness, back pain, heartburn and low energy. It is natural and gentle with no side effects. It is customized to your individual needs at every stage of pregnancy, and is a great way to help recover from childbirth. But always check with your primary healthcare provider before doing any therapies. You may choose other combination therapies such as Acupuncture with massage or Chakra Balancing during pregnancy. Choose the length of session you want based on your ability to get in a comfortable position. You do not have to be face down.
Acupuncture with Massage
(60 min, 90 min)
Experience the powerful and soothing combination of acupuncture with massage. It is customized to your individual needs to focus on any areas of tension or pain. It releases stress and tension gently to create the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. It can be more powerful than a deep tissue massage to relieve pain, stress and tension. It balances your energy, relieves pain and rejuvenates your mind, body and spirit. Acupuncture is done first to lay the foundation for the most effective massage. Your muscles are already relaxed and your body responds faster to the massage.
Acupuncture with Lymphatic Massage (60, 90 min)
The lymphatic system helps regulate proper blood circulation, body fluid balance and immune functions. It is good for anyone to gently detoxify the body, but is most often done to reduce swelling and pain due to cancer treatments and surgery. Acupuncture is done first to increase circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system in a gentle way. It is customized to your individual needs. After taking the needles out, a Gua Sha tool is used very gently over parts of the body to further enhance the circulation of your lymphatic and organ systems and restore balance.
Acupuncture with Reiki and Tuning Forks-Chakra Balancing (60,90 min)
Balance, align and Cleanse your Chakras with this combination of acupuncture and Energy work. Gentle acupuncture, personalized to your specific needs, is done first to allow your body to more fully relax and unwind to greatly enhance the effectiveness of the Reiki and Tuning forks. . Your Chakra systems will be checked and balanced with the combination of tuning forks and Reiki. Tuning forks are used to treat the body and mind and restore inner balance. They are placed on specific Acu-points and on the Chakras to heal through sound and sound vibration. Reiki is an energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety through either light touch or the laying of hands on the energy field. Your session will be individualized for you. These energy modalities greatly help integrate the benefits of the acupuncture.
Cosmetic Acupuncture with Facial Gua Sha (60, 90 min)
Cosmetic acupuncture is a natural, painless way to revitalize your skin. It is the use of fine painless needles on the face and the body to increase vitality and overall health from the inside out. It brightens the complexion, minimizes pores, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces puffiness, improves collagen production and facial muscle tone. Gentle fine needles are placed in specific areas on the face, and also on various acupuncture points on the body based on an individual's needs. It is bringing vitality and rejuvenation in a holistic approach that also includes the whole body systems.
After the needles are removed, a gentle facial Gua Sha tool is used over the face to further enhance the treatment.
This treatment can be used once in a while for a facial and body “tune-up” but based on your goals, the best frequency for optimum results is a session 2-3 times a week for 5-6 weeks with 1-2 times a month for maintenance. It is a non-surgical and time-tested way to look your best at any age.
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Does it hurt?Nope. It is so gentle that even kids love it! There are some forms of acupuncture that use intense stimulation that can be uncomfortable for some. But we do gentle acupuncture that helps just as much as the more intense types. In fact, if it feels uncomfortable, it goes against what we are trying to achieve which is deep relaxation and healing.
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How does it work?There are many theories as to how it is working, such as that the needles are stimulating the nerves, or are creating micro-injuries that engage the system to increase circulation. The exact mechanism of how it is working is still under investigation. But study after study shows that it does work for many many conditions both long-term and acute. A simple way to understand how it works is to imagine a river. When the water is flowing smoothly, the river is healthy and strong. The water is clean and clear. But when there is some kind of blockage, like a dam, the water gets stagnant. It can run slower. It can get muddy. It can even get mucky and stinky. Someone could test the water and the soil to figure out what organisms there are, what is causing the stench. Or, by simply fixing or removing the blockage the water will start to flow again. As it flows smoothly, the mud and the muck disappear. As the river is flowing smoothly again, the water is clear and healthy. That is much like our bodies. Blockages, which can be caused by chronic tension, injuries or other stressors, can cause pain, anxiety and even disease. Acupuncture works by clearing the blockages to restore health and balance naturally. Acupuncture can be used as a stand alone treatment for many ailments but is most often used in combination with western medicine treatments. There are hundreds and hundreds of current scientific studies proving its safety and effectiveness. It used in medical clinics, hospitals and even spas for pain, nausea from cancer treatments, allergies, migraines, anxiety, depression, digestion disorders and infertility, just to name a few. When treating conditions that have been present for a while, it is recommended to get acupuncture 1-2 times a week at first, and then less and less often as your symptoms decrease. It depends on how long you’re had the condition, how severe it is and how your body responds to the treatments. Some issues can be resolved in one or two sessions, but often it may take longer for long-term problems, Many people find total relief from conditions, while some get better for a long time but require occasional sessions to keep them symptom free. Much like a massage, Acupuncture can also be done as a one-time treatment to de-stress and relax, or to help an acute condition. It can also be done on a more regular routine to keep you feeling great- much like a regular tune-up on your car. It is remarkably relaxing and rejuvenating and feels great. You will feel like you’ve had a mini-vacation.
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Is it safe?Yes. They even use acupuncture in hospitals and on young kids.
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What about during pregnancy?Yes, it is very safe during pregnancy. In fact, some doctors and midwives often recommend it to naturally help with conditions like morning sickness, pain, anxiety and heartburn throughout the pregnancy. But check with your healthcare provider before undergoing any treatments.
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What does it feel like?Some people do not feel anything particular but they feel the results. Many people feel deep relaxation, some feel energized. Some people might feel energy moving around their bodies or an ebb and flow, like waves coming in and out. Some people feel a heaviness and some people feel a kind of numbness. There are many different experiences and all are normal.
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Do you have to believe in it to work?No. It is not religion. You do not have to even have an open mind. It works on animals and children who likely have no belief about it one way or another.
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Are there side effects?There can be a slight bruise around a needle site on occasion. There can be a drop or two of blood. Some people have a slight aggravation of symptoms for a short time but it then dissipates and they feel much better than before. If you haven’t eaten enough, you may get light headed.
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Is there something on the needles?No, they work simply by stimulating the acupuncture points to increase circulation and restore balance.
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Do I need to feel each needle for it to work?No. It works regardless of whether you feel it working or not. You’ll know its working by how you feel afterwards or by the decrease of any symptoms you may have had.
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How many times do I need to go?It depends on what’s going on. For severe and long standing conditions, you may need 1-2 sessions for a few weeks with less and less sessions as you get better. It also can be done on an as-needed basis to de-stress and rejuvenate, or treat a newer condition.
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Does it actually cure pain or diseases?Some conditions never come back while some more chronic conditions are gone but may come back now and again and would require another treatment. Some degenerative diseases are kept from progressing with regular acupuncture.
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Is there a license to do acupuncture?Yes, the state of Minnesota has a rigorous licensing process that includes 3-4 years of education from an accredited school, passing national examinations and a thorough background check. Every state has their own bylaws but most are similar to MN.
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What is Qi?Qi, Chi or Ki is the name given to the energy that flows in the body, through the organs and all systems. It also refers to your Life-force and vitality.
Schedule an appointment today!
Address
Sunbear Salon & Medspa
2207 3rd. Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone
Opening Hours
Mon - Thurs
9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri - Sat
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
651-426-5884
Holliday hours may vary