Acupuncture in Thousand Oaks at the Natural Healthcare Center

Services > Acupuncture

Roland Ryf, LAc, DABAAHP is one of the most experienced acupuncturists and Herbologists in the Conejo Valley with over 30 years in practice. During your first visit, you will meet with the doctor to discuss your goals for treatment and the recommendations he makes. Below are some of the common questions asked about acupuncture.

What is acupuncture?

What can acupuncture be used for?

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?

How many treatments will I need?

What will acupuncture feel like?

Are the needles safe?

How will I feel after a treatment?

What is an acupuncture facelift?

What is acupuncture?
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Acupuncture has been used in China for more than 5,000 years and can be used to treat and prevent a number of health issues. Some of the more popular applications include smoking cessation, insomnia, pain relief, anxiety, and weight loss.

Acupuncture is used to prevent illness and strengthen the immune system through channeling the force of energy flowing through the body, which is called qi or chi. Chi flows through energy pathways in the body, also known as meridians. When this energy force is out of balance or blocked, acupuncture helps release it and restore balance to the body for the benefit of overall health.

What can acupuncture be used for?
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Acupuncture has the ability to treat a number of health concerns. The World Health Organization has listed a number of conditions treatable with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, including: Digestive issues, Emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat, Gynecological, Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Respiratory, and many others. A more detailed list of conditions is listed on the services page.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?
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Within an acupuncture treatment or acupuncture facelift Thousand Oaks, our certified specialist, Roland Ryf LAc, will provide a customized consultation to determine the source of your pain or health issues. Depending upon the health issue, the client will lie on the treatment table on their back, on their side, or face down. From there, acupuncture will be administered to anywhere from 4 to 12 points on the body, which are commonly found below the knees, below the elbows, or on either side of the spine. Our expert acupuncturist will work with the client to determine what sensations they are feeling to ensure that the acupuncture point has been located. The acupuncture needles will be left in place for up to 20 minutes, which will provide overall relaxation and relief from pain and other imbalances and issues within the body.

How many treatments will I need?
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Each individual case is unique as determined by our Thousand Oaks acupuncture professional. However, depending upon the specific condition and the client’s age, health, and lifestyle, the acupuncturist will advise a customized series of treatments to alleviate any pain or health issues the patient may be experiencing, and then to keep the problem from returning. For this reason, some conditions may require a series of treatments, while other issues can be alleviated with a single acupuncture treatment.

What will acupuncture feel like?
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All of the needles used within acupuncture are hair-thin, so it is rare to find a client who is bothered by the quick insertion. It is highly important to receive acupuncture from a qualified practitioner since improper needle placement could cause pain or soreness during treatment.

Are the needles safe?
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All needles used within our expert acupuncture treatments are nontoxic, sterile, and disposed of after a single treatment. The also meet all FDA standards. Since acupuncture needles are incredibly small and smooth, they do not cut the skin, but instead are inserted seamlessly through spaces between the body's cell without damaging the tissue.

How will I feel after a treatment?
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Overall, our clients report feeling a calm energy and well-being after receiving an acupuncture treatment in Thousand Oaks with us. Patients will tell us they feel relaxed, yet focused and energized. Many experience a new sense of energy. Each reaction to the treatment is individual depending upon the age and health condition of the patient.

What is an acupuncture facelift?
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The acupuncture facelift is an innovative treatment using traditional Chinese medicine to refresh and rejuvenate the complexion immediately. As an alternative to cosmetic surgery, the acupuncture facelift stimulates sagging muscles and relaxes the tense facial muscles causing deep expression lines. It also naturally boosts the production of collagen in the skin. More information about the acupuncture facelift is available on the Anti-Aging Thousand Oaks page.