Acupuncture Alexandria VA

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Acupuncture helps restore the body’s natural balance and promotes long-term health. At Bodnar Chiropractic Center’s Alexandria clinic, we deliver acupuncture treatments tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Are you dealing with chronic pain, digestive issues, migraines, or stress-related conditions? Acupuncture can support your recovery and well-being.

Acupuncture in Alexandria: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. It focuses on restoring balance in the body by stimulating specific points using thin, sterile needles. Each session is designed to activate the body’s natural healing processes and improve energy flow throughout the body.

Our acupuncture services in Alexandria reflect a holistic philosophy. This means we examine the entire picture, including your lifestyle, emotional well-being, and physical habits. Our goal is to bring all systems of the body into balance so you can feel stronger, healthier, and more in control of your wellness.

Meet Our Licensed Acupuncturist in Alexandria

Ahyoung Ku is a licensed acupuncturist and a certified practitioner in East Asian Nutrition. She received her training at the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine. Her work draws from both hands-on clinical experience and traditional healing principles.

Ahyoung focuses on acupuncture for neck and back pain, migraine and headache relief, digestive imbalances, and women’s health concerns. She views each patient as unique and believes the body already holds the ability to heal. Her goal is to help activate that process through personalized treatments and focused care.

Each treatment plan is designed to target immediate symptoms while also addressing the root causes. This balanced approach allows patients to experience meaningful relief and long-term improvements in their overall health.

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What Acupuncture Feels Like

Many first-time patients wonder what acupuncture feels like. The idea of needles can cause hesitation, but acupuncture needles are extremely thin, close to the width of a human hair. Most people describe the sensation as a slight pinch followed by a warm or heavy feeling in the treated area.

Each needle is sterile, single-use, and made from stainless steel. There is no stabbing or cutting. Treatments are intended to be relaxing rather than painful. In fact, many patients leave their sessions feeling calm and recharged.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture stimulates specific points along the body’s meridians. These meridians are energy pathways that link internal systems to the surface of the body. When they become blocked or unbalanced, pain, fatigue, and other health issues can appear.

Our acupuncturist carefully chooses points along these pathways to restore balance and flow. Because meridians extend throughout the entire body, acupuncture can address both physical discomfort and internal conditions. Patients often seek treatment for muscle tension, stress, sleep difficulties, and even organ function.

The overall goal is to help the body develop the internal strength and stability needed to remain healthy.Our

What to Expect During Your Visit

Your first acupuncture visit starts with a full consultation. Ahyoung will take time to understand your concerns, health history, and treatment goals. Based on your evaluation, she’ll create a personalized plan that may include acupuncture, herbal support, or other recommendations.

Each session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The number of sessions depends on your condition and how your body responds to treatment. Some people see improvement in 2 to 3 visits, while others benefit from 8 to 10 treatments. Many patients continue with monthly visits to maintain their progress or promote overall wellness.

There is always time set aside for your questions and feedback. Your input shapes the treatment process, and we want you to feel comfortable and supported from start to finish.

Conditions Acupuncture Can Help Address

Acupuncture is recognized for its support of recovery and symptom relief across a wide range of health conditions. While the full list is too long to include here, it’s worth reviewing the one compiled by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA).

In his article “Medical Acupuncture Review: Safety, Efficacy, and Treatment Practices,” Dr. Steven E. Braverman explains how acupuncture helps treat a range of conditions, including joint pain, digestive disorders, anxiety, and hormonal issues.

The article is written for medical professionals and presents a clear picture of the versatility of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Indications According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA)

Table 1. Acupuncture Indications According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA)
  • Acute and chronic pain control*
  • Posttraumatic and postoperative ileus *
  • Muscle spasms, tremors, tics, contractures*
  • Paresthesia *
  • Anxiety, fright, panic*
  • Drug detoxification *
  • Neuralgias (trigeminal, herpes zoster, post-therapeutic pain, other)
  • Seventh nerve palsy sequelae of stroke syndrome (aphasia, hemiplegia)*
  • Certain functional gastrointestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, esophageal spasm, hyperacidity, irritable bowel) *
  • Headache, vertigo (Meniere disease), tinnitus *
  • Phantom pain
  • Frozen shoulder *
  • Cervical and lumbar spine syndromes*
  • Plantar fasciitis*
  • Arthritis/arthrosis *
  • Bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome*
  • Sprains and contusions *
  • In fractures, assisting in pain control, edema, and enhancing healing process
  • Temporo-mandibular joint derangement, bruxism *
  • Dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain *
  • Insomnia *
  • Anorexia
  • Atypical chest pain (negative workup)
  • Idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachycardia
  • allergic sinusitis *
  • Persistent hiccups*
  • Selected dermatoses (urticaria, pruritus, eczema, psoriasis)
  • Constipation, diarrhea *
  • Urinary incontinence, retention (neurogenic, spastic, adverse drug effect)*
  • Abdominal distention/flatulence*
  • Severe hyperthermia
  • Cough with contraindications for narcotics
  • Anesthesia for high-risk patients or patients with previous adverse responses to anesthetics
Adapted from Conditions for which Medical Acupuncture May Be Indicated in a Hospital Setting, Los Angeles, CA: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture; 2001 *Also included in the World Health Organization list of acupuncture indications.

How to Make an Appointment

We see acupuncture patients at Bodnar Chiropractic Center. To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at 703-721-0500.