Acupuncture Nirvana

06/05/2026

Acupuncture treats alot of things!

06/03/2026

What is an acupuncture point?

An acupuncture point is a specific spot on the body where fine needles are inserted to control pain and other symptoms. Acupuncture points lie along 14 mapped pathways called meridians. When stimulated, they trigger the nervous system to release natural chemicals and promote healing. This system of medicine typically requires a 4 year masters degree and a state license to treat patients.

Acupuncturists evaluate your health history and symptoms to choose the best combination of points. Several key points and their common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) purposes include:

Stomach 36 (ST36 - Zusanli): Located just below the knee. Used for gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, and boosting the immune system.

Large Intestine 4 (LI4 - Hegu): Located on the hand between the thumb and index finger. Known for relieving headaches, toothaches, and overall pain.

Liver 3 (LV3 - Taichong): Located on top of the foot between the big toe and second toe. Used to reduce stress, irritability, and menstrual cramps.

Heart 7 (HT7 - Shenmen): Located on the inner wrist crease, close to the pinky. Targets anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia.

Pericardium 6 (PC6 - Neiguan): Located on the inner forearm, three finger-widths below the wrist. Commonly used to treat nausea, motion sickness, and anxiety.

Ready to get acupuncture? Book your appointment online at www.acu-nirvana.com or contact us at 518-409-6993.

Photo credit: Birgit Reitz Hofmann

05/30/2026

Thank you so much for voting Acupuncture Nirvana as best acupuncturist of the region 2 years in a row. I appreciate being able to be of service! And I’m happy we are making a difference in your life! I’ve always said acupuncture is a tool for you to be able to live a healthier, happier, less painful life. Thank you for the recognition! I appreciate all of you!!!

05/30/2026

Lately Ive had patients telling me they have a friend who wants to come in but they are scared of needles. The thing is, acupuncture needles are super small. You can see in the diagram they are just up in size from human hair. They aren’t the same needles that take blood or give shots at the doctors office because those are hollow in side the needle. Acupuncture needles are solid and very thin, so it feels very different and is much easier to sit with. They also typically promote relaxation and have a calming effect during the treatment- this surprises most people. So if you have always wanted to try acupuncture but are scared, hopefully this info will help! You can book online at www.acu-nirvana.com or call us at 518-502-9323.

05/19/2026

The Journal of the American Medial Association (JAMA) reported that acupuncture needling improved pain related disability after conducting a randomized clinical trial that included 800 older adults with chronic lower back pain.

If you have low back pain, and are trying to avoid surgery or are just wanting to try this in addition to pain meds and cortisone shots, give us a call at 518-409-6993 or go to www.acu-nirvana.com to set up your first appointment.

05/11/2026

If you struggle with insomnia, youtube has free sleep stories- and this guy Stephen Dalton has alot of wonderful stories to help you sleep.

Welcome to another story collection; this time with soothing fairytales from all around the world– from the Grimm Brother's Beauty and the Beast, to Oscar Wi...

05/07/2026

Making time for yourself can show up in small commitments. Scheduling your acupuncture appointment into a week. Scheduling time for yoga or stretching into a morning. Making sure you get a walk or run in a couple times a week. Meal planning on sundays so you eat healthy the rest of the week. Planning your pickleball date weekly because you like to play. Planning to go listen to a local band on a saturday night because music brings joy to your soul and you love supporting local artists and local venues. Going to church once a week and thinking about the way we interact with the world and does it serve who we want to be.

The sum of our life is often these little choices that add up over time.

And when hardship enters our life, these small commitments can be really important to holding our overall wellness together and staying peaceful.

Last October i went through a hard break up with someone i loved deeply. To get through it I not only went to therapy, i started showing up 4x a week and doing an hour yoga while listening to guided meditations on the app.

I listened to stories about breathing through difficult emotions, about letting go of what no longer serves you, of how lotuses only grow from the muck. I took deep breathes while stretching my body, which seemed to tighten up so badly while i was heartbroken that sometimes i would even limp. As a practitioner i know these are holding patterns… pain gets stored in the body and we have to work to release it.

In that process, yoga and meditation became a weekly part of my life and my well being. So when life gets stressful and I have a ton on my plate…I still have that yoga and meditation time scheduled in and I show up…because it’s a commitment to my own wellness.

What habits or commitments have you let slide that really helps you, that you could add back to your schedule? And if it’s acupuncture, set aside 15 minutes to sit down and schedule your appointments? And then put it on your calendar so you remember to go. You can do it - just focus on one step at a time. ❤️

05/05/2026

Sometimes trying to keep on top of healthy habits feels impossible…so you have to ask yourself how can i make it easier? Acupuncture is definitely one healthy habit - you show up and all you have to do is rest and maybe even fall asleep. But lifestyle choices can make a big difference too.

Recently Ive been feeling tired, so i started adding this one thing to my daily food to keep myself from eating popcorn or quest chips or spoonfuls of peanut butter when im hungry and want a snack.

Bento veggie boxes. I cut up the veggies , 3 small cubes of cheese, and make 1 tablespoon of sour cream and onion dip with lactaid sour cream and lipton onion soup mix.

Ive always loved sour cream and onion dip since i was a kid, and surprisingly, I like it better than chips bc the bento box feels fresh and like Im eating alot, and my favorite dip and favorite cheese is included. Plus there is alot of crunching so it hits the snack needs. I feel satisfied, and I notice my energy is up because im eating more during the day when Im busy.

This week its cucumbers, radishes w everything bagel seasoning on them, bell peppers, carrots and celery. The cheese is goat cheese brie. Yes, if you are lactose intolerant, this cheese will be your new best friend - just make sure to cut small cubes bc its very rich.

Its really the small everyday habits that add up over time to good health, not the big dramatic gestures. What habit could you add that feels easy and satisfying?

04/28/2026

Here’s a little video showing you how to give yourself acupressure for PC6, a great point for nausea. If you have morning sickness during pregnancy, are going through chemo, or just have general nausea, this one is for you!

04/23/2026

Recently a patient told me she referred her sister to me because although she didn’t used to believe in acupuncture, it really helped her during her pregnancy. Another patient asked me about my personal beliefs in religion and how it fit into acupuncture.

I explained acupuncture is a system of medicine, not a religion. To become an acupuncturist, you attend a post grad program that typically lasts 4 years. Then you pass board exams and get your state license.

There is no “believing” in it needed. It’s not a religion or a faith. It’s a specific system of medicine. There are multiple medical studies showing how it helps patients.

It’s also a great tool to help if you are having pain, health issues, anxiety, or are dealing with fertility issues or pregnancy.

So if you are worried that acupuncture doesn’t align with your faith, or is somehow betraying it, I think it helps to note that you can believe anything you want to and still get the benefits of acupuncture.

Hope this explanation helps.

Photo: Unsplash