Avenue Acupuncture FAQs

It is caused by consistent pressure on the median nerve and tendons running through the palm side of the hand, often from repetitive motions that cause tendons to swell, or from being born with a naturally smaller carpal tunnel. It can also be worsened by arthritis, diabetes, and obesity.

Acupuncture helps reduce stress by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to lower cortisol levels, regulates neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins, improves sleep quality, and helps balance the autonomic nervous system to support emotional regulation.

No. Acupuncture works in conjunction with other treatments and offers a holistic approach to managing anxiety alongside therapy and medication, not as a replacement for them.

Fine needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points, typically in the hands, feet, and head, to stimulate the peripheral nervous system and regulate the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This releases endorphins and reduces Substance P, a pain transmitter, with treatment focused on preventing future attacks rather than just reducing pain temporarily.

The exact cause of migraines isn’t fully understood, but a popular theory points to changing brain chemistry, or a rebounding shift from the sympathetic (fight or flight) system to the parasympathetic (resting) system, which causes excessive blood flow to the head and heavy pressure with each heartbeat.

Headaches fall into several categories: tension headaches (from muscle contractions due to stress, eye strain, or dehydration), migraines (severe, throbbing pain often with nausea or light sensitivity), cluster headaches (severe pain behind one or both eyes), sinus headaches (deep pain in the forehead and cheekbones), and cervicogenic headaches (originating from neck or spine pain).

Treatment first identifies which underlying cause is responsible. For spinal problems, needles are placed just off the spine to stimulate surrounding tissue and help correct misalignment. For muscular causes, needles may be inserted into the piriformis muscle or placed in the ankles and wrists to restore normal function distally.

Sciatica is always a symptom of a deeper issue, commonly a herniated or slipped disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome (where the piriformis muscle pinches the sciatic nerve), or pregnancy, where the uterus or baby puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is pain in the back or side of the leg due to irritation of the sciatic nerve, felt in a line from the lower back to the buttock, thigh, calf, and possibly down to the foot. It can range from a leg cramp to excruciating, shooting pain and may also cause numbness or tingling.

Yes. Cupping is an adjunctive treatment that has been extremely beneficial for neck pain and is usually performed after the acupuncture session, working in conjunction with it.