There are twelve pulse positions in traditional Chinese medicine on each wrist that your acupuncturist will palpate. Each position corresponds to a specific meridian and organ. Your acupuncturist will be looking for twenty-seven individual qualities that reflect overall health. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse.

During the initial exam a full health history will be taken. Questions will be asked regarding symptoms, health and lifestyle. Your acupuncturist also may check pulses and your tongue and may conduct a physical exam. In some cases Dr. Godar may analyze meridian energies by computer to supplement the traditional Chinese diagnostic methods.  This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. After the interview process, a treatment plan will be discussed with you and implemented, given your consent. Non-needling techniques may also be applicable.  Visits with your acupuncturist may last from forty-five to ninety minutes.

Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this medical system to diagnose and help millions of people get well and stay healthy.

An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. In eastern medicine, this activates the body’s energy (called Qi) and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity and physical and emotional health. It also can improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.

In western medicine, research has confirmed that acupuncture has many significant physiologic effects on the body and the nervous system.  (National Institute of Health Acupuncture Consensus statement 1997.)

Subsequent functional MRI research studies have shown that activation of acupuncture points selectively activate (and deactivate) different areas of the nervous system, resulting in various important physiologic effects. 

It has been Dr. Godar’s experience that combining both eastern and western approaches to acupuncture treatment frequently results in improved clinical effects and outcomes.