Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most thoroughly studied forms of medicine in the world, with a continuous history of use spanning more than 2,500 years. At the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic, Dr. Shanwen Gao practices classical acupuncture rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — a complete medical system that views the body as an interconnected whole rather than a collection of isolated parts.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points along the body's meridian pathways — channels through which vital energy, or Qi (pronounced 'chee'), flows. When Qi becomes blocked, deficient, or imbalanced, illness and pain can result. By stimulating precise acupuncture points, Dr. Gao restores the smooth flow of Qi, prompting the body's own healing mechanisms to activate. Modern research has confirmed that acupuncture influences the nervous system, reduces inflammation, regulates hormones, and promotes the release of the body's natural pain-relieving compounds.

Dr. Gao's Approach

Every patient who visits the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic receives a thorough initial consultation. Dr. Gao takes a detailed health history, observes the tongue, and assesses the pulse at multiple positions — classical diagnostic methods that reveal patterns of imbalance invisible to standard laboratory tests. Treatment plans are highly individualized: two patients presenting with the same Western diagnosis may receive entirely different acupuncture protocols based on their unique TCM pattern. Dr. Gao often combines acupuncture with complementary modalities such as cupping, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine to achieve the most comprehensive results.