• 3633 West Lake Ave, Suite # 307 Glenview, IL 60026
  • info@lifebalanceclinic.com
  • 847-724-1777

Acupuncture

What is acupuncture? 

Spanning thousands of years and nations across the world, acupuncture has stood the test of time and Acupuncture increasing standards for scientific evidence and clinical results. It is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function.

How does acupuncture work? 

Acupuncture treatment in Chicago is rendered based on an Oriental medical diagnosis that includes an assessment of pulse quality, shape and color of the tongue, medical history and whole body evaluation. 

Following the diagnosis, acupuncture points are chosen on the body along acupuncture meridians, or pathways. Needle stimulation of these points increases the body’s healing energy or Qi. 

The body has approximately one thousand acupuncture points. Qi circulates throughout the body within the meridians, which also are related to the internal organs. Qi surfaces to the skin level at specific points. 

Good health depends on the smooth flow of qi. When the flow of qi is blocked due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues, the system is disrupted. Illness is then generated. 

In accordance with ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from areas where it is in excess. In this way, the treatment regulates and restores a harmonious energetic balance in the body. There is a Chinese saying, “There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.

What does acupuncture treat? 

Acupuncture has been effectively used for the treatment of back pain, headache, migraine, and sports injuries. However, this treatment provides more than pain relief. It is helpful in treating conditions including anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems, abdominal, menstrual cramps, weight control and infertility. 

As acupuncture can improve energy flow throughout the body, it can be particularly effective in relieving neurological and musculoskeletal issues. Many people with lower back pain, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, or even arthritis have shown significant improvements in pain and disability. Neurological problems that acupuncture may help include migraines, where blood vessels inside the head contract and dilate, causing headaches; nerve pain disorders, such as trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathy; early-stage facial paralysis; and bladder problems such as bedwetting and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. 

How is acupuncture performed in Chicago?

During a treatment, your acupuncturist will insert sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points located near or on the surface of the skin. These points are situated on channels of energy (Qi) running through the body, where the electrochemical processes that keep our bodies running are thought to be the strongest. 

The channels, known as meridians, deliver energy to and from our organs, promoting health if they are in balance. The physiological effects of working on meridians through acupuncture include increased blood circulation, decreased inflammation, relief from pain, relief of muscle spasms and stimulation of the immune system.

Acupuncture techniques

Our acupuncture clinic in Glenview is proud to offer classical acupuncture treatment, electroacupuncture and pain-free laser acupuncture, depending on your individual needs.

Electroacupuncture is a more powerful method of stimulating acupuncture points and channels. Here, electric impulse stimulation is used to provide greater relief by running through needles at the affected areas. 

Research suggests that electroacupuncture may be more effective than conventional needles for some conditions. For example, a study comparing the two in cerebral palsy found that electroacupuncture was superior in relieving muscle spasms, even though both were effective.

Laser acupuncture is a needle-free alternative that focuses laser light onto acupuncture points. It is perfect for children and adults who have a fear of needles. Research shows that laser technique is effective across many indications, including a trial finding significant relief of muscle spasticity in cerebral palsy. 

Benefits of acupuncture therapy in Chicago, Illinois

The benefits of acupuncture include:  

  • Reduced pain. 
  • Dispelled inflammation. 
  • Improvements in circulation. 
  • Better regulation of neurotransmitters. 
  • Improved mobility and overall neurological function. 

Always choose an acupuncture clinic in Chicago based on quality – look for reviews and education credentials – because it is a highly individualized treatment with different patients requiring different plans. 

We at Life Balance Clinic are proud of our reputation and will be happy to welcome you in our acupuncture practice. The founder of the practice, Vadim Dekhtyar, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, developed an integrated and complete approach that will significantly benefit your health and wellness.

Our Location

Conveniently located in Glenview, IL, our practice is easily accessible for those in the Chicago metropolitan area. Our patients visit the practice from Niles, Northbrook, Wilmette, Buffalo Grove, Winnetka, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Norridge, Prospect Heights, Morton Grove, Schiller Park, Arlington Heights, Franklin Park, Elk Grove, Rosemont, Huntington, Harwood Heights, Skokie, Des Plaines, Rolling Meadows, Stone Park, Portage Park, Itasca, Jefferson Park, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Lincolnwood, River Grove, Northlake, and of course, Chicago. Whether you are in or near Glenview, IL, our specialists are waiting for you!

F.A.Q.

Acupuncture treatment is rendered based on an Oriental medical diagnosis that includes an assessment of pulse quality, shape and color of the tongue, medical history and whole body evaluation. Following the diagnosis, acupuncture points are chosen on the body along acupuncture meridians, or pathways. Needle stimulation of these points increases the body’s healing energy or Qi. The body has approximately one thousand acupuncture points. Qi circulates throughout the body within the meridians, which also are related to the internal organs. Qi surfaces to the skin level at specific points. Good health depends on the smooth flow of qi. When the flow of qi is blocked due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues, the system is disrupted. Illness is then generated. In accordance with ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from areas where it is in excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores a harmonious energetic balance in the body. There is a Chinese saying, “There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.”
At the time the needle is inserted, some may feel soreness or slight pain. Others may feel nothing. Common qi sensations around the needle include: tingling, electrical sensations that may travel above or below the needle, or a sense of swelling at the insertion site. Stimulation of needles can be done manually, or by attaching electrodes that transmit a weak current. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed.[1]It is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner to ensure proper needle placement and stimulation. In any case, if you experience discomfort during or after the treatment, it is usually mild and short term. Because the purpose of acupuncture is to balance your body, there are no long-term negative side effects. On the contrary, relaxation and a sense of well-being often occur during and after treatment. Often patients become so relaxed that they sleep during treatment.
Acupuncture can treat many conditions, including pain and inflammation from a wide range of causes. Through its ability to rebalance energy flow through the body, it can also improve circulation, nerve communication, and muscle contractions.
Over the past several decades, thousands of clinical studies have been published which verify the benefits of acupuncture, and more are written every year. These also serve to strengthen our understanding of how to optimize its effects.
Anyone of any age can have acupuncture treatment. It does not interfere with medication, has no side effects, and is safe for everyone from babies to centenarians.
A typical acupuncture treatment will last 20-30 minutes. In some cases, it can take longer for the desired effects.
The effects of acupuncture may last anywhere from a few days to indefinitely. Acupuncture often has a cumulative effect, where the benefits last longer the more sessions you have.
Depending on your individual case, you may need treatment every day or two (in the early stages), or every several weeks. You can space your appointments further apart over time.
Acupuncture needles may sting a little when they’re inserted, but this self-resolves in a few seconds. You won’t feel the needles once they’re in, except maybe for a slight tingling.
Yes, acupuncture can be safe during pregnancy as long as points related to labour induction are avoided.
Many patients use acupuncture as an aid to quit smoking as part of a holistic treatment plan. Clinical research demonstrates that acupuncture’s effects on neurotransmitter regulation can help to relieve cigarette cravings.
Yes, a number of studies show that acupuncture can significantly relieve pain and increase mobility, including the fear of movement, in people with back pain. It is especially effective where back pain has no clear cause.
You may notice improvements after just one session of acupuncture. However, the full effects can take two to three months (and sometimes longer) to develop.

What our patients say

"For someone that has suffered from migraine headaches for most of my life, acupuncture has been very beneficial. I was very skeptical about trying it but after many years of different pharmaceutical therapies without major relief I have decided to give it a go. It was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. Dr Dekhtyar treats your whole body and not just a specific ailment. He helped me develop a much healthier eating habits and how to manage my stress levels. He is very compassionate and genuinely cares about the wellbeing of his patients. It feels. If you’re on the fence about trying acupuncture, think no further and just give it a try. You will not be disappointed."

Magdalena Dudek