Acupuncture is a comprehensive healing system that dates back over 4,000 years. Acupuncture works with the natural energy of your body. Periodically, we develop blockages and imbalances in the body caused by physical or emotional trauma. If the physical or emotional traumas are not dealt with, they can manifest into disease. Once the acupuncturist determines the root of the problem, whether physical or emotional, the treatment will be customized to balance that patient’s health. Acupuncture treatment encourages the body to restore its own balance on all levels.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years as a medicine that addresses the entire body. It is highly effective at addressing not only acute illness or injury, but chronic conditions and symptoms that are a result of multiple systems being imbalanced or ill. While it is currently renowned for treating pain and recovery from injury, it is also used to treat or help with the following.  The following is a partial list of symptoms, diseases and conditions that are recognized by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and World Health Organization (WHO) to be treated effectively by acupuncture and Chinese herbs:

• Musculo-Skeletal Disorders: arthritis, low back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, fibromyalgia, tendonitis
• Gynecological Disorders: PMS, menstural irregularities, menopausal syndrome, infertility
• Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, ulcers, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome
• Respiratory Disorders: allergies, asthma, common cold, flu, and sinusitis
• Neurological Disorders: headache, migraine, dizziness, Bell’s palsy, post-stoke paralysis, neuralgia
• Circulatory Disorders: high cholesterol, hypertension
• Psycho-Emotional Disorders: stress, anxiety, depression, nervousness, insomnia
• Uro-Gential Disorders: urinary tract infection, incontinence, impotence
• Addictions: smoking, alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs

Yes! Acupuncture has been proven to increase the immune function. Based on research, we know that acupuncture can increase white and red blood cell count. It also reduces inflammation, boosts your immune system, reduces blood pressure, and causes a natural release of endorphins, naturally relaxing the body. This in turn lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which may even benefit in losing weight. Some people come in for regular monthly “tune ups,” helping them to stay balanced with the change of the seasons. Acupuncture is wonderful component to your lifetime health maintenance program.

Your appointment time is reserved especially for you. Kindly give a 24-hour cancellation notice so that other patients are able to receive necessary treatments during that time slot.  A fee of $30 will be charged for missed, late (more than 15 minutes), cancelled or rescheduled appointments.  If appointments have been purchased in a package, the missed, cancelled and rescheduled appointment will be deducted from the number of remaining appointments in that package. If you miss or are late for more than three appointments, you will be asked to pre-pay for any additonal appointments that you schedule.

Acupuncture is very safe when practiced by a trained and licensed practitioner. Our acupuncturist, Dr. Baugus, is trained, licensed and is board-certified. During each acupuncture session your treatment is adjusted according to your symptoms so that you receive constant monitoring of any changes. Only sterile, disposable needles are used in our clinic. These needles are discarded as medical waste after each use, insuring your absolute safety. Always inform any health practitioner about pre-existing conditions, known problems, and medications that you are taking. Be sure to let us know if you are pregnant, or if you have a pacemaker.

Yes. Acupunture can help you lose weight by lowering cortisol levels (stress hormones), which are proven to cause weight gain. Acupuncture also helps to increase your metabolism.

Acupuncture is generally painless. The needles are called “filiform” meaning “hairlike.” You may feel a slight sensation upon insertion of the needles and throughout the treatment you may have different sensations like dullness, achiness, heaviness or warmth. Most patients fall asleep during their treatments, so clearly none of the sensations are uncomfortable.

This depends on the condition that you are coming in for and the rate in which your body responds to the treatments. It also may depend on how long you’ve had the condition. Acute conditions will generally respond faster, while chronic conditions may take several weeks or longer to respond. In general, we recommend that any new patient expect to come in once a week for at least a month or two. It is not uncommon to begin seeing changes in your overall health within your first couple of treatments. We work with each patient individually to find a treatment plan that works for him or her. We also work together with other healthcare providers to co-manage the patient’s overall health.

Oklahoma does not regulate acupuncture. Therefore, insurance companies are not capable of billing. In 47 states, insurance companies recognize acupuncture as legitimate healthcare profession. Dr. Baugus is licensed in the state of Florida where he is considered a General Practitioner and Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M.). If you have insurance that does cover acupuncture, we will be happy to give you a payment receipt that you can submit for reimbursement.

This varies depending on the goal for the treatment. You may feel completely relaxed and content. You may feel energized and refreshed. If you had pain, the pain may be reduced or gone. It’s also not unusual when working with pain to have it get worse for a day or two before it gets better.  If coming in for a cold, allergies, or the flu, the symptoms may become worse before they get better. This means the body is going through a healing crisis. There will not be any long-term negative reactions.

Dr. Baugus will evaluate the medications you are currently taking and see if herbs are appropriate.