Dr Shu :: acupuncture and wellness center in Marietta, Georgia

At the Acupuncture and Wellness Center, Dr. Shu offers an integrative approach to improving healthy well-being and offers the following services. Please click on the links for definitions of these services:

These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. These services affect a number of conditions. See Treatments.

Oriental Medicine (also visit www.aaom.org)

A whole system of medicine that integrates many therapies, and is applied by practitioners to treat illness and disease. Of these therapies, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology are the most popular in the United States. Some additional therapies include: diet, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, as well as Tai Qi, Qi Gong (physical exercise), and Tui ‘na (manual therapies).

Oriental Medicine acknowledges the vital life force that flows through all things. This force, which is called “Qi” (pronounced ‘chee’) or energy, flows along pathways in the human body. These pathways are related to the organs, the muscular system and the nervous system. When the balance of this energy is disturbed due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors or excessive emotional issues, illness results. Oriental Medicine focuses on correcting these imbalances, stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture accesses the body’s Qi (’chee’) or vital energy through acupuncture points that lie along 14 invisible energy lines known as meridians on your body. Each meridian is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. An imbalance in the flow of Qi throughout a meridian is how disease begins.

The acupuncturist inserts very fine needles (finer than the ones used for injections) into 5 to 15 points and leaves them in place for 20 to 30 minutes. The needles interrupt an unhealthy or stagnant Qi flow. The body’s natural desire to heal itself acts to restore the Qi flow to harmony. Many patients feel some relief immediately.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Most patients feel a slight sting or pinch upon insertion of the needle. The needles do not hurt once in place, but patients often feel a slight electrical tingle or a feeling of warmth or fullness in the area.

Safety
Acupuncture and Chinese herbology are safe medical procedures and are well known for their efficacy and lack of side effects when administered by a qualified practitioner. Most practitioners use sterilized disposable needles when administering an acupuncture treatment.

Before Your Visit
Remember to avoid food and beverages (except water) for 30 minutes prior to your visit. On your appointment day, avoid caffeine, tobacco, and artificially colored beverages. These substances can mask health-related changes in the color of the tongue and artificially alter your blood pressure and pulse rate.

After Your Visit
Drink plenty of water after acupuncture. The procedures stimulate a healthy release of toxins from muscle tissue and glands. Drinking more water than usual helps you flush out this waste material. Take a hot bath or shower within a few hours after acupuncture. Five to ten minutes of heat helps “set” the healthy shifts in your Qi flows.

Insurance Coverage
Acupuncutre and other therapies may be covered by your insurance. However, you should check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture and other services offered by Dr. Shu will be covered for your condition and, if so, to what extent. Some insurance plans require preauthorization of acupuncture services.