acupuncture
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the primary treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been employed for over 2500 years. It directs energy (Qi, pronounced “Chi”) to bodily areas of discomfort or illness. In this way, acupuncture uses your own body’s healing prowess to promote natural self-healing, and treat an increasingly wide number of ailments.
Recent western medical research substantiates acupuncture’s healing powers. According to studies, acupuncture helps release serotonin and endorphin hormones, which brings our bodies into balance and better facilitates healing.
Recent western medical research substantiates acupuncture’s healing powers. According to this research, serotonin and endorphin hormones are released from acupuncture. When these hormones are naturally released by acupuncture, our bodies feel better.
What to expect in your acupuncture treatment
Introduction
Prior to your first visit, you’ll fill out an exploratory health questionnaire. This brief intake form helps us ascertain your current health landscape, and will guide us in providing customized care.
When you arrive for your visit, we’ll begin with a brief discussion of your health concerns and then perform a quick examination to determine which acupuncture treatment approach is best suited for you.
How Does It Work?
Acupuncture is performed by placing ultra-thin needles along fourteen different bodily pathways. When properly placed, the needles unlock the flow of the vital energy, and compel the body to release a natural painkiller called endorphins. In turn, the endorphins improve blood flow and create positive changes in brain and bodily activity.
Acupuncture can be an incredibly effective healing modality for a wide range of conditions. While some patients turn to acupuncture to address one or two specific challenges, others are able to tackle dozens of ailments simultaneously.
Why you should try acupuncture?
Astounding as it may sound, acupuncture can be beneficial for nearly everyone, and has the potential to treat, reduce and/or heal virtually every medical condition. Concurrently, it is excellent for helping to maintain a high level of health when used preventatively.
- Stress & Anxiety
- Promotes Relaxation
- Improves Sleep
- Increased Energy
- Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain
- Reduced Headaches
- Boosted Mental Clarity
- Improve Mood
- Enhanced Immune System
- Improved Digestion
- Relief from Menstruation and Menopause Disorders
- Alleviation of Allergies
ACUPUNCTURE IN CHARLOTTE
Frequently Asked Questions
The needles used in acupuncture are ultra thin, far finer than the needles used for injections. Some patients feel slight discomfort as a needle is placed, but once the needles are in, most people feel deeply calm and relaxed. Many patients are surprised by how comfortable a session is.
We believe in fair, upfront pricing, so you will always know the cost of your treatment before it begins. All pricing information is available under the “Book Now” button found throughout the page. We kindly ask new patients to schedule a consultation before booking acupuncture. This allows us to understand your current issues and health history, ensuring that acupuncture is a suitable option for you and determine a plan of care. If you have questions about pricing for your situation, call us at (704) 765-6813 and we are happy to walk you through it.
When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is considered very safe. We use sterile, single-use needles for every treatment, and Dr. Tracie Hinton-Chavez, DACM has more than 16 years of clinical experience. Side effects are uncommon and typically mild, such as brief soreness at a needle site.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and eat a light meal an hour or two beforehand. Before your first visit you will complete a short health questionnaire so we can understand your current health picture, and your appointment begins with a conversation about your concerns before any treatment starts.
The conditions we treat most often include back, neck and joint pain, stress and anxiety, headaches and migraines, fatigue, and sleep issues. Acupuncture can also support digestion, immune health, and menstruation and menopause related concerns. If you are wondering whether acupuncture fits your situation, we are glad to talk it through before you book.
We are at 4108 Park Rd, Suite 210, in Charlotte’s Madison Park neighborhood, a short drive from Dilworth, Myers Park and SouthPark. You can schedule online or call (704) 765-6813.
What Our Acupuncture Patients Say
Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews – Read all our reviews on Google.
Your Acupuncture Practitioner Voted Charlotte's Best Doctor, 2022
Dr. Tracie Hinton-Chavez holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. She is licensed by the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board and board certified through the National Certification Board for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. Thank you to the patients across Charlotte who champion our mission: empowering everyone in the Queen City to live pain-free and to the fullest.
DACM • MSOM • Licensed Acupuncturist, NC • Nationally Board Certified
Watch Dr. Tracie on WBTV3
Charlotte's own Dr. Tracie shares her expertise on gut health and the benefits of Gua Sha on WBTV's QC Life. See why so many across the Queen City trust her natural approach to healing.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Acute & Chronic Pain
Many people suffer from knee or back pain, and are often unable to find relief through traditional medicine. There are several ways in which acupuncture helps to decrease inflammation and promote tissue recovery, making it an increasingly popular and effective treatment.
In our opinion, acupuncture is one of the best options to consider for both acute and chronic pain. Using customized acupuncture protocols, we’ve helped patients recover after injury, prep for and heal from surgery, and expedited recover time after motor vehicle accidents.
Stress
Stress, although important (in small amounts) for survival, can be detrimental to your health. Conditions caused by too much stress include depression, anxiety, insomnia, frequent colds and infections, and a decrease in sexual desire and/or ability.
Acupuncture has been proven to lower stress hormones and moderate mood to help reduce anxiety, boost immune function, and improve overall feelings of happiness.
Headache & Migraines
Acupuncture has been used to treat headaches for thousands of years. Recent studies have proven that acupuncture can reduce the duration of migraines, and may have lasting effects.
With the most common side effects being a sense of euphoria and relaxation, acupuncture is a choice treatment for those seeking a less invasive, drug-free option.
Fatigue
Low energy seems to be the price we all pay to live In today’s busy, modern world. Between work, home and family life, most of us are burning the candle at both ends.
The majority of patients that come to us seeking help with low energy or adrenal fatigue share a common characteristic: Nutrient deficiencies in the body. This can be due to many factors including chronic stress, imbalanced emotions, improper diet, too much or too little exercise, and even lack of breathing fresh air.
The good news is that acupuncture and Chinese herbs can do wonders to nourish the body and supercharge energy levels. Instead of turning to another cup of coffee, consider increasing your energy in a balanced and natural way with acupuncture.
Acupuncture Effectiveness
Recent western medical research substantiates acupuncture’s healing powers. According to this research, acupuncture is proven to release serotonin and endorphin. When these hormones are naturally boosted your body can’t help but feel better.
Even though acupuncture has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, it was initially shunned in the American medical science. With more and more patients desiring non-invasive and natural approaches to health, acupuncture is now a widespread modality used to treat ailments such as back pain, knee pain, hair loss, diabetes, weight loss, infertility and many more.
Acupuncture’s rise in popularity in traditional medical circles is a clear indication that it can be an effective way to reduce the stress, heal quickly from an injury, promote emotional balance, and greatly improve quality of life.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
The needles used in acupuncture treatments are ultra thin. While everyone’s experience is different, some patients may experience the placement of the needles as being slightly uncomfortable. Once the needles have been placed, however, nearly every patient reports feeling calm and relaxed.
If you’ve tried other treatment modalities with little to no success, but have yet to give acupuncture a try, we highly recommend scheduling a consultation. In addition to healing and optimization, patients receiving acupuncture report a major decrease in overall stress and an increased sense of peace and vitality.
