Catherine Aquino and her associates are acupuncturists with a focus on fertility and pain management in Los Angeles CA. Receive treatment for infertility issues like PCOS, endometriosis and recurring miscarriage. We offer IUI and IVF acupuncture to help improve your chances of becoming pregnant. We can also help with menopause, breast cancer, prenatal and postnatal as well as overall women's health. Serving the Burbank and Toluca Lake area of Los Angeles, CA. Please contact us for more information. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that has been used for over 3000 years to relieve pain and treat a wide range of illnesses. It is based upon an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They call this energy Qi (pronounced Chee). This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained. If the flow of energy is blocked or depleted, the system is disrupted and pain and/or illness occur. Imagine a tram that travels along a freeway system throughout your entire body carrying needed energy to each organ and tissues. If emotional or physical trauma causes the tram on the freeway to gridlock or the movement to be haphazard, the tram is unable to deliver the appropriate vital cargo to the right place in the body when needed. Acupuncture works to remove gridlock by stimulating certain points (with acupuncture needles) on this freeway system (meridians) to restore free and normal functioning and allow the free flow of Qi. What to Expect from an Acupuncture Treatment Modern acupuncture needles are from one to three inches long, ultra fine and made from flexible stainless steel. We use disposable needles. Ten to twenty needles are typically placed in several acupoints and are usually left in for about 20-40 minutes each treatment. When the needle is inserted into the skin, there is usually a slight prickling sensation that is rarely painful. Once the needle is in place, there is often a tingling, numbness, heaviness or a feeling of warmth around the needle. This is a desired effect, indicating that the body is responding and balancing itself effectively. Acupuncture treatments are usually deeply relaxing and rejuvenating.