Acupuncture is not a one-shot deal. It works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next.

There are certainly instances of acupuncture producing immediate results. However, this is more an exception than the rule -- and when it happens, the results tend to be short-lived.

If you want lasting...

Acupuncturists do more than just poke people with needles. They use non-needling techniques, such as moxibustion and cupping, and some prescribe herbs. They also offer advice -- acupuncture-inspired tips that can help you feel healthier and happier.

Some people heed this advice and others ignore it, often to...

Last week was the first day of spring. Yahoo! Except for that fact that many people don't feel so hot this time of year.

The flu is -- knock on wood -- mostly behind us. Allergies have not quite exploded yet. So, why do so many of us...

A common assumption about acupuncture is that it hurts. You are, after all, getting stuck with needles. Fear of pain from acupuncture needles is one of the most common reasons people forgo acupuncture.

Often to the astonishment of those who take the plunge, acupuncture usually does not hurt....

The most common side effects of acupuncture are things everyone wants: better sleep, more energy, mental clarity, better digestion and less stress. One or several of these side effects occur routinely for many, many acupuncture goers.

Following the publication of an article on the most common side effects...

Do you really want to impress your Valentine this year? Looking for a meaningful way to express your love without breaking the bank? Then forget the flowers, chocolates and diamonds. It's time to celebrate Valentine's Day acupuncture style.

I don't mean go out and buy a gift certificate for acupuncture...

"Acupuncture strengthens natural resistance to disease."

I recently came across that sentence when I was leafing through some old notes from acupuncture school. It was underlined twice and highlighted. Although I don't remember writing it or which of my teachers said it, the words clearly resonated with me at the...

Happy New Year! We're excited at AcuTake to spend 2013 explaining how acupuncture works and sharing acupuncture-inspired tips for leading a healthier, simpler, more meaningful life. Acupuncture helps us see the world differently -- with more hope, openness, intention, gratitude, compassion, patience and clarity. In doing so, it...

Acupuncture is well known for its potential ability to lower stress. Many people use acupuncture for stress reduction. And in my experience, even those who don't admit to or notice stress in their lives commonly report a greater sense of lightness and evenness to their moods after having...

Acupuncture is a great teacher on gratitude. The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we already have everything we need to be well. In contrast to biomedicine, which is premised on the notion of external intervention, acupuncture takes what's already there and rearranges it into something positive.

Acupuncture doesn't...

Fall officially begins this weekend. New seasons are an opportunity to assess our states of health and realign with our natural rhythms. From an acupuncture perspective, fall is about refinement. It's time to pare down, to let go of the excesses we allowed ourselves in summer and focus on what's...

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, isn't as official as it sounds. Frozen shoulder just refers to shoulder pain that leads to restricted range of motion. It is a catch-all diagnosis for shoulder pain and immobility for which the underlying cause is unknown.

Janet Travell, the author of

Forget what you've been told. Acupuncture does have side effects. The unintended consequences of acupuncture, while not life-threatening, should not be overlooked. The side effects of acupuncture occur frequently and can seriously impact on your quality of life.

Here are the five most common side effects of acupuncture. Consider yourself...

Wouldn't it be awesome to be one of those people who truly enjoys going out for a run? Recently, I closely observed this enviable species -- and in the process, uncovered a kinship between acupuncture and running.

I live in Eugene, Ore., the birthplace of Nike running shoes and...

Summer is officially upon us. You may be noticing yourself having more energy, feeling more social, or experiencing all-around better moods. This is normal for this time of year, when, from an acupuncture perspective, the yang -- extroverted, lively, enthusiastic, active -- aspects of a person are at their peak.

When people ask me what they should and should not do after acupuncture, I usually tell them, "Be good to yourself."

Vague advice, but it's what most recommendations for taking care of yourself after acupuncture come down to. Acupuncture gets things moving, potentially causing your body to react in ways...

Acupuncture isn't really into hard-and-fast rules. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. This is the beauty of acupuncture -- it meets us wherever we're at.

However, there are some general rules of thumb when it comes to preparing for an acupuncture appointment. All are...

Acupuncturists have a name for the time when their patients are resting with needles. They call it "cooking." Some people call it "torture."

An article on AcuTake on common excuses for not getting acupuncture listed fear of needles as the No. 1 excuse. In response to this article,...

Downward-facing dog is the most ubiquitous pose in yoga. Acupuncture explains why.

This popular yoga pose is the one we see in advertisements and movies, on yoga DVDs, and the covers of health and fitness magazines. Downward-facing dog, or adho mukha svanasana in Sanskrit, is taught in beginner yoga classes...

Acupuncture can help alleviate a modern epidemic from which many of us suffer: compulsive phone checking. This occurred to me after reading a recent New York Times article that discusses how our relentless drive to stay connected through technology is dwindling our ability to converse and self-reflect.

Specifically,...