What is laser (needle-free) acupuncture?
Needle-free acupuncture is performed using a cold laser, and is sometimes called Laser Acupuncture or LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy). We say the laser is “cold” or “low level” because it does not produce any heat. Laser acupuncture stimulates acupuncture points using infrared light when it is applied at the skin level. Laser acupuncture can provide local and body-wide effects, just the same as regular acupuncture, without puncturing the skin.
What can laser (needle-free) acupuncture do for you?
Laser acupuncture can treat any condition you would treat with regular acupuncture. It is especially useful for stimulating areas that are particularly sensitive or for people who are needle-sensitive.
digestive issues
musculoskeletal pain, chronic or acute
injuries
compromised immunity
chronic disease
insomnia
hormonal imbalances
and much more…
Treatment
Your appointment begins as a regular acupuncture appointment would. We spend some time talking about your chief complaint, and explore your health history and any related issues for a comprehensive view of your situation. Your tongue will be looked at and pulse taken. During treatment, you will lie on a comfortable massage table, either face down or face up as the treatment requires. You may need to move/remove clothing to allow access to certain areas of the body, all with the privacy you would expect from a normal acupuncture or massage treatment.
You will be given a pair of protective glasses to wear when required while various acupuncture points on your body are stimulated with the small laser tool; the laser is held at each point for less than a minute.
Depending on your health issues, you may also receive cupping, gua sha, or dietary/herbal suggestions to complement your treatment.
Length and cost:
Initial appointment: 60 minutes, $100.
Follow-up treatments: 45 minutes, $75.
You can also book a laser acupuncture + herbal medicine combo
Who can and cannot receive laser acupuncture?
Most people, including children, are great candidates for laser acupuncture. Most contraindications are for areas rather than for people.
The light from a laser cannot be shone into the eyes (though, with proper protective eye wear and care, laser can be used on the face and near the eyes).
Points on the abdomen and lower back are avoided on pregnant women.
Laser acupuncture is not used on active tumors/malignant growths, or on areas that have had recent injections of cortisone or botox.
People taking immuno-suppressants, steroid medications, or medications that increase photosensitivity should not receive laser acupuncture.
Your practitioner
Joleen Kraft is a graduate of the Pacific Rim College who has earned her degree in Acupuncture. She has hundreds of hours of practical clinical experience treating a variety of patients with acupuncture. While Joleen is waiting to write the next set of board exams to become a registered acupuncturist certified in traditional acupuncture, she has studied and done training in laser acupuncture as an alternative to traditional, insertive methods. For this reason the laser acupuncture treatments are not covered by insurance plans at the moment. Joleen is also a practicing herbalist, having completed the Degree of Phytotherapy at Pacific Rim College.
If you have questions about laser acupuncture, please email Joleen at info@vcaspa.com.