Acupuncture’s Healing Benefits
Acupuncture is a medical practice that originated in China over 2,000 years ago and has been refined over the centuries to support health and healing. It involves the insertion of very thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body to influence the nervous system, improve circulation, and promote the body’s natural ability to restore balance and function.
Despite its antiquity, modern research is increasingly confirming acupuncture’s benefits. Research shows that acupuncture can:
Improve blood flow and circulation
Reduce inflammation
Influence the nervous system to reduce pain and stress
Support hormone balance
Boost immune function
Promote relaxation and overall wellbeing
What makes acupuncture so appealing is that it’s gentle, minimally invasive, and works with the body as a whole. Rather than targeting just one symptom, it can support physical health, emotional wellbeing, and overall function, helping the body regulate itself and maximize its natural healing abilities.
Acupuncture works holistically, meaning it doesn’t just target one symptom. It can support multiple systems in the body at once, helping improve overall function and resilience.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Help With?
Acupuncture can support a wide range of health concerns by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting the body’s natural healing processes. Some of the most common areas where people see benefits include:
Fertility & Reproductive Health: Acupuncture can help address challenges such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis, diminished egg quality, thyroid imbalances, unexplained infertility, and male factor fertility issues. Lifestyle, dietary, and herbal support may be combined with acupuncture to optimize reproductive health.
Pregnancy Support: Many women use acupuncture during pregnancy to reduce nausea, manage fatigue, support overall wellness, and ease common discomforts. Postpartum support can also help with recovery, milk supply, and emotional wellbeing.
Women’s Health Beyond Fertility: Acupuncture can help with menstrual irregularities, perimenopause and menopause symptoms, hormonal migraines, uterine fibroids, and other gynecological concerns.
General Health & Chronic Conditions: Acupuncture is increasingly used for digestive issues, chronic pain, migraines, stress, anxiety, mood imbalances, autoimmune conditions, and overall health.
Acupuncture works holistically, meaning it doesn’t just target one symptom. It can support multiple systems in the body at once, helping improve overall function and resilience.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s nervous system and influencing key physiological processes. When needles are inserted at specific points, they can:
Trigger the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which help reduce pain and promote relaxation
Improve blood flow to muscles, organs, and reproductive tissues, supporting healing and optimal function
Modulate the autonomic nervous system, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of chronic conditions
Support hormonal balance, influencing reproductive hormones, cortisol, and other key chemical messengers
Reduce inflammation by affecting immune system activity and local tissue response
By acting on these systems simultaneously, acupuncture can address both symptoms and underlying contributors to health challenges, making it useful for a wide variety of conditions, from chronic pain and stress to fertility and hormonal support.
What is a Treatment Like?
A typical acupuncture session lasts about 45–60 minutes. After talking about your current health concerns, you’ll lie comfortably on a treatment table while the practitioner inserts very thin, sterile needles at points selected to support your specific health needs. Some points may be on the arms, legs, back, or other areas depending on your health concerns.
“Clinical studies show acupuncture can help manage pain, reduce stress, support hormone balance, improve circulation, and even enhance fertility outcomes.”
Many people find the session deeply relaxing (some even fall asleep) because acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system to release endorphins and reduce stress. Sessions may also include complementary techniques like gentle massage, heat therapy, or cupping, which can enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension, and support overall wellness.
Does It Hurt?
This is one of the most common concerns about acupuncture, but most people feel very little when the needles are inserted. You might notice a slight tingling, pinch, pressure, or warmth at a point, which usually passes quickly. Because the needles are extremely fine and single-use, acupuncture is safe and well-tolerated.
Acupuncture works gently with the body, making it suitable for people of different ages and health conditions. The goal isn’t just to relieve a symptom, but to support your body’s natural systems, helping you feel more balanced, resilient, and healthy overall.
Common Misconceptions About Acupuncture and Science
Acupuncture is sometimes thought of as “alternative” or not evidence-based, but modern research increasingly supports its effectiveness for a variety of health concerns.
“There’s no scientific evidence.” Clinical studies show acupuncture can help manage pain, reduce stress, support hormone balance, improve circulation, and even enhance fertility outcomes.
“It’s only a placebo.” While the placebo effect can play a role, research indicates that acupuncture produces measurable changes in the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.
“It can’t work alongside modern medicine.” Acupuncture is often used alongside conventional treatments to complement care and improve outcomes in areas like chronic pain, reproductive health, and mental wellbeing.
By combining centuries of clinical experience with modern scientific understanding, acupuncture offers a safe, gentle, and evidence-informed approach to health and wellness.
Who Can Benefit
Acupuncture is a versatile therapy that can support people of almost any age, from young teens to older adults. Treatments are always tailored to the individual, making it safe, gentle, and adaptable for a wide range of health needs.
Children and Teens:
Can benefit from stress and anxiety management, sleep support, digestive issues, headaches, menstrual pain and irregularities, and certain chronic conditions.
Sessions are adjusted for comfort and attention span, helping young patients feel relaxed and at ease.
Adults:
Often seek acupuncture for stress relief, fertility support, hormonal balance, chronic pain, digestive concerns, migraines, and overall wellness.
Acupuncture can complement conventional medicine, helping optimize results and support recovery.
Older Adults:
Treatments can help manage joint and muscle pain, mobility issues, sleep disturbances, immune support, and general quality of life.
Sessions are customized to each individual’s health status, ensuring safety and comfort.
No matter your age or health goal, acupuncture works holistically to address underlying imbalances, support the body’s natural healing processes, and promote overall wellbeing.
About Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky
Dr. Cindi combines decades of clinical experience with a unique approach that blends Western medical insights, like lab results and imaging, with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance. This personalized, holistic care addresses the whole person, not just symptoms.
Her patients appreciate her compassionate, attentive manner and the support she provides beyond the clinic—education, follow-ups, and guidance to help them take charge of their health. From fertility and women’s health to chronic conditions and overall wellness, Dr. Cindi helps patients feel balanced, informed, and empowered.
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re dealing with fertility challenges, women’s health concerns, chronic pain, or simply want to feel more balanced, acupuncture can help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky in Campbell, CA, serving San Jose and the South Bay, to see how personalized acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support your health.
Text 408-761-6251, or fill out the online contact form to take your first step toward better wellness. •
