Acupuncture For Detoxification

Support the Body’s Natural Ability to Eliminate Toxins With Acupuncture | Modesto, CA

Couple enjoying bike ride in park after detoxification program.

Detoxification

Are you on a quest for optimal health and wellness? Looking to be the best version of yourself and break free from toxins and harmful substances that promote poor health and a cycle of sickness? At GoldStar Acupuncture in Modesto, CA, we offer 100% drug-free all-natural acupuncture treatment for detoxification.

  • Support natural & safe elimination of toxins from microbes, medications, alcohol and other substances

  •  Improve quality of life & well-being

  • Restore functional health

Discover How Acupuncture Can Naturally Support Detoxification

Happy woman at sunset.

Modern living exposes people to high levels of stress, industrial chemicals, pollutants, heavy metals, radiation, poor diet and lifestyle choices, and other harmful factors that can overwhelm the body’s natural ability to clean itself of waste and remain balanced and healthy.

When the body’s natural mechanism for detoxification gets sluggish, toxins can be more than what body and organ systems can handle, and they can remain in the body for longer, leading to a wide variety of symptoms, serious disabling conditions and long-term health problems.

Do you know acupuncture offers a holistic approach to supporting the body’s natural detoxification mechanism and promoting health?

Acupuncture is a time-tested natural method of detoxification that can help kick-start and balance the body’s natural detoxification pathways that have been shut down with repeated exposure to stress, chemicals, and radiation, and repeated misuse of food, alcohol, medications, drugs and other addictions. It helps balance underlying dysfunction between various organ and body systems to improve the elimination of waste, regulate metabolism and hormones, boost weight  loss, and improve energy.

Acupuncture also provides natural relief from cravings, fatigue, pain, poor sleep, stress, depression, and other common issues related to toxicity and substance withdrawal.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Detoxification

  • Regulates detoxification pathways
  • Supports Liver & Kidney function

  • Improves blood and lymph circulation

  • Eases cravings & substance withdrawal

  • Reduces stress & inflammation

  • Alleviates pain
  • Regulates metabolism & hormones

  • Boosts weight loss

  • Improves poor sleep

  • Improves mood & well-being

  • Increases energy

How Acupuncture Treatment Works for Detoxification

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help promote healing, improve energy, and strengthen resistance to disease. It is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves the insertion of ultra-thin therapeutic needles into specific points on the body to restore the flow and balance of Qi 气 (life-force energy).

Free-flowing and balanced Qi activates a person’s own self-healing mechanism to assist with responding and adapting to any number of stressors and health issues that challenge homeostasis.

In the practice of acupuncture, Xie Qi 邪气 (accumulated toxins) causes an imbalance within the functioning of organs and body systems, namely the Liver, Gall Bladder, Spleen, Kidneys and Large Intestines. Xie Qi typically depletes Yuan Qi 元气 (constitutional strength) and impairs the strength and balance of Gu Qi 谷气 (digestion, nutrient absorption) and Zheng Qi 中气 (immunity).

Acupuncture for detoxification works by stimulating specific points on the body to help regulate the flow of Qi to these organs and body systems and help balance their functions and interactions, and encourage the elimination of pathogenic toxins and waste.

Woman receiving acupuncture on her back and shoulders.

While not well understood scientifically, some research suggests acupuncture activates the body’s natural healing processes by stimulating its anti-inflammatory mechanism that helps ease pain and stress, boost immune function, and promote self-healing. Activating this mechanism also appears to help regulate detoxification pathways to enhance the elimination of waste and minimize side effects associated with substance withdrawal.

Other research points to acupuncture stimulating the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that function as natural painkillers, mood enhancers, and immune regulators.

Some other studies suggests acupuncture can help optimize metabolism and hormone balance, fat storage, blood circulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination, too.

Key Acupuncture Points for detoxification

  • Liver 3 (Tai Chong 太沖): Enhances liver detoxification function, relieves pain, balances mood and emotions, and reduces stress-related eating.
  • Liver 13 (Zhang Men 章門: Promotes healthy digestion, enhances liver detoxification, and improves blood circulation.
  • Gall Bladder 34 (Yang Ling Quan 陽陵泉): Supports liver and gall bladder detoxification function, relieves pain, and balances mood.
  • Kidney 3 (Tai Xi 太谿): Supports kidney detoxification function, boosts immunity, and balances mood.
  • Kidney 27 (Shu Fu 俞府): Supports kidney detoxification function, boosts immunity, and balances mood.
  • Urinary Bladder 17 (Ge Shu 膈俞): Improves blood circulation, and supports the elimination of toxins.
  • Large Intestine 4 (He Gu 合谷): Improves digestive motility, boosts immunity, relieves pain, and supports the elimination of toxins.
  • Spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao 三陰交): Regulates digestion and blood circulation, boosts immunity, relieves pain, and reduces cravings.
  • Spleen 10 (Xui Hai 血海): Improves blood circulation and supports the elimination of toxins.
  • Stomach 36 (Zu San Li 足三里): Boosts digestive metabolism and immunity, reduces cravings, enhances circulation, and supports the elimination of toxins.
  • NADA Protocol: Ear acupuncture technique that regulates elimination of toxins, eases cravings and substance withdrawal, and reduces stress.

Acupuncture Treatment for Detoxification Uses Herbal Medicine Formulas

Assortment of Chinese herbal medicine with mortar and pestle used in natural health consultation.

Acupuncture treatment for detoxification also includes the use of medicinal Chinese herbs. Chinese herbal medicine is well known for its excellent ability to regulate and optimize detoxification pathways and metabolic function, improve digestion and elimination, and reduce inflammation to help eliminate toxins from the body, ease nagging symptoms, and promote overall health.

Chinese herbs offer relief of various symptoms of poor health due to toxicity, including addictions, indigestion, bloating, constipation, stress, pain, poor sleep, low immunity, inability to lose weight or excess weight gain, and others. They also are commonly used to help expel intestinal parasites and maintain healthy gut flora balance to aid detoxification.

Common Herbs Used in Acupuncture for Detoxification

  • Dandellion (Pu Gong Ying / Herba Taraxaci Mongolicum Radice): Eliminates toxins, eases pain, boosts immunity, enhances liver detoxification function.
  • Turmeric (Jiang Huang / Rhizoma Curcumae Longae): Enhances liver and gall bladder function, promotes blood circulation, eliminates toxins, eases inflammation and pain, regulates sleep, relieves stress.
  • Gardenia (Zhi Zi / Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis): Enhances liver detoxification function, relieves irritability, and eases pain.
  • Forsythia (Lian Qiao / Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae): Reduces inflammation, eliminates toxins.
  • Licorice Root (Gan Cao / Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis): Boosts energy, eases, spasms, cramps and pain, improves sleep, eliminates toxins, protects the digestive mucous membranes, and enhances overall digestive function.

Acupuncture Treatment for Detoxification Uses Nutrition Therapy

Acupuncture for detoxification also uses dietary modification and nutrition as part of treatment. Nutrition therapy in acupuncture promotes eating a diet consisting mainly of fresh plant-based foods that are the most vital and free from chemicals, preservatives, and over-processing. Studies have shown that eating a low calorie, high-fiber, nutrient-rich diet consisting of more whole, plant-based foods helps eliminate excess waste and toxins from the body and turn off cravings for unhealthy foods and substances, while minimizing inflammation and pain, maintaining optimal metabolic and digestive function, and promoting total health and well-being.

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Your First Acupuncture Treatment for Detoxification

Closeup of new patient filling out paperwork for first acupuncture appointment
  • Plan for your appointment to last from 1 to 2 hours.
  • Please make sure to shower and clean your body before your visit.
  • Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids 1-2 hours before your appointment.
  • Plan on wearing loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily rolled up or removed.
  • Plan on removing your shoes and socks, and clothes that may interfere with examination and treatment. For your comfort and convenience we offer a clean medical gown and clean athletic shorts.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes before appointment time to check in, complete New Patient Forms, and use the restroom.
  • If you’re taking any medication or supplements be sure to include this information in the forms you fill in and let your acupuncturist know.
  • You will be asked to remove your shoes and socks, and any clothing that may interfere with examination and treatment (if necessary a clean medical gown and clean athletic shorts are offered to change into).
  • We will ask you about the nature of your visit and follow up with you on the information you provided in the forms.
  • We may ask you a series of detailed questions about any health problems or symptoms you might be having.
  • We will examine your health using a wide variety of acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine diagnostic methods including facial, tongue, and pulse diagnosis.
  • Based on our findings we will determine holistic treatment options that are most suitable for your needs and provide consultation for using acupuncture, meditation, diet and lifestyle modifications, and other natural remedies, such as herbs and nutritional supplements.
  • We will also discuss with you frequency of follow-up visits, financial arrangements, and any other concerns you may have.
Natural health consultation using Chinese Five Elements can help restore balance.
Acupuncture for shoulder and neck pain.
  • If acupuncture treatment is decided, it will be provided during the same visit.
  • Your acupuncturist will select specific locations on your body, such as points located on your hands or feet, or your arms or legs, or the head, the face, or the front or back of the torso, and place needles there.
  • While receiving treatment your acupuncturist may consult with you about changes to your diet and lifestyle that can best suit your situation, and they may also prescribe herbal medicine or vitamins and minerals, and guidance for meditation and exercises, as needed.
  • Lay back and relax, it’s okay to fall asleep!
  • Avoid overexertion and plan to take it easy afterwards to give the mind and body time to adjust to the treatment as it can produce strong shifts.
  • Follow all instructions for diet and lifestyle modification, meditation and exercise, and dosing with nutritional and herbal medicine supplements.
  • Schedule your next appointment according to the treatment plan established for you.
Arrangement of supplements from Pure Encapsulations brand.

FAQs

Unfortunately, there is no straight easy answer. Insurance coverage for acupuncture varies widely among insurance companies both statewide and nationally, with plans requiring certain criteria to be met before coverage is applied. This criteria is not standardized, and insurance companies all make their own policies, including exclusions, limitations and restrictions, regarding acupuncture coverage.

As a result, even when insurance companies advertise they offer acupuncture coverage, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will actually pay for all of it, or even some of it. Most people with an acupuncture-friendly health insurance plan that want to try to use it to pay for acupuncture should expect to accrue at least some out-of-pocket costs, anywhere from co-pays and deductibles to paying for uncovered procedures and products such as herbal medicine and nutritional supplements. It is also not uncommon for acupuncture-related claims to be entirely denied by insurance companies, leaving insured patients responsible for paying the total amount billed.

Fortunately, our office is well-versed on these details to help you understand how and when it is possible to use your insurance to help pay for acupuncture. For more information, or to begin the verification process and request prior authorization for using your PPO insurance with our office, please send us a message.

No, you do not need a referral to receive acupuncture treatment. California acupuncturists are primary care providers and can provide you treatment independently without referral. Some people may seek a doctor referral for acupuncture to try and use their insurance to cover expenses or for help finding a practitioner, but this is not required.

Acupuncture itself is very safe in the hands of a competent practitioner. It generally presents little to no side effects and rarely makes a condition worse. If these do occur it’s usually indicative of the healing process and any ill effects disappear within days of treatment.

However acupuncture is not for everyone, and there are times when precautions must be made. For example, people who are not eligible for acupuncture include those with hemophilia or contagious skin diseases. On the other hand, people on blood-thinning medication, or who tend to bruise easily, or who are pregnant, can receive acupuncture but should disclose their medical history to their acupuncturist prior to treatment so that certain precautions are made.

Where severe danger exists is in the inappropriate application of acupuncture by poorly trained and unskilled non-acupuncture therapists and physicians, many which do not receive the same instruction and training as licensed acupuncturists. To ensure safety when receiving acupuncture, it is highly recommended to use a practitioner who has received proper education and schooling in acupuncture, and is certified and licensed to practice acupuncture by an official governing acupuncture board, agency, or organization.

In general, acupuncture will not minimize any treatment or medication you have used or will use. Recent studies suggest acupuncture may actually enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of other treatments and reduce some of their adverse reactions.

However because acupuncture and some herbal and nutritional supplements prescribed by acupuncturists can sometimes diminish or potentiate the effects of other treatments, it is advisable that you disclose all of your medical history to your acupuncturist, especially if you’re taking medication or are undergoing other types of treatment, or have recently undergone other treatments, so that any precautions can be made prior to treatment. For more information, send us a message.

Depending on the type of service, total visit time is between 60-90 minutes, with 20-75 minute acupuncture treatment time.

Everyone responds to acupuncture differently but in general the approach we use is so gentle and the acupuncture needles we use are so thin that most people won’t even be aware when the needles are inserted. If they feel anything at all, it may be a slight pinch at the site of needle insertion followed by a brief dull ache that dissipates within seconds. Other common sensations felt during treatment include slight tingling, subtle muscle twitching and spasms, heaviness, extreme relaxation, and warmth in the hands and feet.

Comparison chart of acupuncture needles to matchstick, hypodermic needle, and sewing needle.

Most adults looking for a natural approach to health and overall wellness are candidates for acupuncture. But if you have a specific health condition and you’re not sure if acupuncture is right for you, the best way to find out is to request an appointment for an evaluation and consult.

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