Acupuncture

Benefits of Acupuncture

• Research has demonstrated that acupuncture can have direct and lasting positive effects on the body’s neurological (nervous), endocrine (hormonal), and immunological (disease-fighting) systems. In 1998, a Consensus-Conference Panel of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that acupuncture is an effective non-invasive modality in treating a variety of medical and pain problems, including migraines, osteoarthritis, and infertility.
• Acupuncture has also long been known to produce relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and improve mood. How? We know that it releases endorphins, our body’s natural opioids. These are largely responsible for the pain-relieving effect but these neurotransmitters also produce a relaxation response. Researchers at Georgetown University reported that acupuncture in clinical models released endorphins and lowered stress hormones including the sympathetic NPY peptide pathway.

Acupuncture is a practice of Chinese medicine that relies upon the therapeutic insertion of slender needles into the body to improve a person’s health. According to Chinese medicine, health is dependent on the balanced flow of “Qi” (pronounced “chee”) and refers to the vital life force within each person. Blockages or imbalances in Qi result in pain and illness. A thorough medical history and examination reveal the nature of these disturbances so that needles can be inserted in the proper points in the body to restore the balance and flow of Qi. An understanding of the anatomy and principles of acupuncture allows your practitioner to design a treatment program that meets your needs. In this way, it can help reestablish your good health and sense of well-being.

The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine offers patients acupuncture within the context of their entire treatment plan.

What Conditions Can It Treat?

Acupuncture works by supporting and strengthening the body’s immunological functions. It can be useful for treating a large range of illnesses and pain syndromes. Cancer patients often find it can help relieve the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and fatigue caused by chemotherapy. It can also help restore a person to good health after surgery or shorten the duration of an infectious illness. At The Kaplan Center we use acupuncture to treat the following conditions:

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Acupuncture is also used by people who are looking for a natural, alternative way to reduce the signs of aging and improve inner vitality for a healthy appearance to their face. Cosmetic Acupuncture provides a non-toxic, non-surgical way of looking and feeling your best at any age.

Read more about our Cosmetic Acupuncture Services 

Providers

Rebecca Berkson is a licensed acupuncturist and is NCCAOM Board certified in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Her training includes traditional Chinese medicine coupled with anatomy and clinical sciences to provide the safest and most effective care to patients. Rebecca has also studied with teachers in different practices of acupuncture including traditional Chinese medicine, Five Element, and various styles of Japanese acupuncture.

Dr. Gary Kaplan and Dr. Lisa Lilienfield are members of the AAMA, the organization that has established the training requirements for physician-acupuncturists in the United States. The Center’s physicians are not just experts in its clinical practice, they also are leaders in the field. Dr. Gary Kaplan was a founding board member of the AAMA and also served as president of the Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation. Dr. Kaplan also has served as an advisor to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on research and practice issues concerning acupuncture.

There are a variety of disciplines or methodologies, and each has its strengths in terms of treating particular medical problems. Our providers are proficient in many of those disciplines, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, French Energetics, Auricular, Five-Elements, Scalp, and Neuroanatomic (Craig Percutaneous Nerve Stimulation or CPNS) Acupuncture.

Acupuncture services at The Kaplan Center are available for both patients and non-patients. Please call (703) 532-4892 if you would like to schedule an appointment.