Basic Balance
Acupuncture & Asian Healing Arts
Keene, NH
Results-oriented acupuncture in a tranquil, spa-inspired setting.
Studies show that acupuncture can effectively treat over 100 conditions. At Basic Balance, some of the conditions we have successfully helped patients with include:
Anxiety
Depression
Hypertension
Fatigue
Addictions
Tics/Spasms
Dizziness
Vertigo
Tension
Insomnia
Acid Reflux
GERD,Heartburn
Nausea
Gas
Bloating
Constipation
IBS
Gastritis
Chrohn's
Diverticulitis
Sciatica
Arthritis
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Joint Pain
Carpal Tunnel
Tennis Elbow
Fibromyalgia
Migraines
Shingles
PMS
Menstrual Pain
Menopause
Obesity
Edema
Diabetes
Numbness
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Bell's Palsy
Neuropathy
How does acupuncture work?
We don’t know yet! Although medical research has proven that acupuncture works, the mechanism via which it works is still unknown. It has been shown to improve circulation, increase endorphins, regulate neurotransmitters, release anti-inflammatory compounds, activate key brain regulatory centers, and block pain sensation via the ‘Gate Control’ mechanism of our nervous system. As far as how it does these things, interesting research is being conducted to try to get to the bottom of it.
Chinese Medicine works by changing a pattern that’s been established in your body. Think of the needles as electrical conductors. With each treatment, we use them to ‘rewire’ your nervous system, reminding your body it that it has the resources and information to create a new pattern.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin. The ones we use are as thin as a piece of hair and 6-7 of these can fit on the head of a hypodermic needle. Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow, so unlike hypodermic needles, they do not pierce the skin when inserted; they slide between skin cells. Insertion of the needles is not always felt and when it is, it is a mild prick that subsides quickly. Patients generally feel deeply relaxed during and after a treatment and often, fall asleep.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Is acupuncture safe?
If received by a properly trained acupuncturist, yes. All the needles we use are sterile and disposable, so they are only used once and there is no risk for cross-contamination. We are well trained in terms of contraindications, point depths, and locations. We are certified by CCAOM (Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) in Clean Needle Technique.
How many treatments will I need?
You don’t need a specific complaint to benefit from acupuncture! Many of our patients come every 4–6 weeks for a general tune-up, as acupuncture provides a great boost to overall health.
If you do have a main complaint, two key factors help determine how well acupuncture will work for you and how many treatments you may need:
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How long you’ve had the issue – The shorter the duration, the faster acupuncture tends to work.
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How much the issue fluctuates – If you have good and bad days or times of day when symptoms improve or worsen, acupuncture is more likely to be effective.
As a general rule:
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Problems that have been around for years (or were years in the making) take months to treat.
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Problems that have been around for months take weeks to treat.
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Problems that have been around for weeks take days to treat.
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Acute issues that have just appeared may resolve in 1–2 treatments.
Our most successful patients start with two treatments per week for the first two weeks. This initial phase helps us gauge how well you're responding and estimate how many sessions may be needed.
For most conditions, 12 sessions scheduled at least once per week are typically enough to create lasting results.
Consistency is key—regular treatments help maintain progress and build on improvements. Our goal is to achieve two consecutive weeks where your main complaint has either resolved or improved to a level you're happy with. At that point, we’ll work together to space out your appointments to sustain your results.
A healthy person has many wishes, but the sick person has only one.
-Indian Proverb