Candace Jania started every single day with a migraine. She tried everything. But nothing helped—until she discovered acupuncture.
It not only relieved her pain, but it also changed her life: She went back to school, earning a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and for the last 16 years she has been using the ancient art of acupuncture and other Asian remedies to treat patients at her Acupuncture Center in Basking Ridge.
The center, which has an on-site pharmacy stocked with Chinese herbs, focuses on reproductive health, pain relief and family health.
With a combination of treatments, Jania, a Fellow on the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, and her associates, Michael Gonzales and Hannah Ciraco, create custom wellness plans for each patient.
“Chinese medicine has been around for 5,000 years,” she says. “Its longevity proves its effectiveness.”
Q. When people hear the word “acupuncture,” they immediately think of—and often shrink from—needles.
A. I personally would love to change the word “needle.” Each one is as thin as a hair and I generally use only 10 to 30 per treatment . It’s not like a hypodermic, which tears the skin tissues; it is inserted between the tissues.
Q. But it’s still a needle.
A. I fine-tune its insertion so each patient is comfortable, and for the initial insertion I sometimes use a small plastic guide tube. It’s very relaxing; some people tell me it’s even more relaxing than a massage.
Q. It still doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience.
A. It is, of course, a medical treatment in a medical office, but everything at our clinic is geared toward the patient experience. We make it a relaxing event. There are heat lamps, bed warmers, soft music and low lighting. You close your eyes. It’s a healing experience.
Q. So it’s like going to a spa.
A. I assess each patient, noting their sensitivities, and I talk them through the procedure. After all the needles are in, they generally stay in for about 25 minutes. You really do feel amazing because it moderates the sympathetic nervous system—your fight or flight responses. Your heart rate does down, your temperature goes down, your muscles relax and your hormones and brain are regulated. I have some patients who use it for stress reduction.
Q. That sounds wonderful. How do I know whether acupuncture can help me?
A. Most people associate acupuncture with pain relief, but it can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, digestive issues, allergies and reproductive, urinary and neurological disorders.
Q. What if I have multiple issues?
A. I take an extensive, individualized history of each patient at our initial appointment to find the underlying imbalance because everything is related in Chinese medicine. I also look at your tongue and check your pulse. We treat the root cause as well as the symptoms of the disease. And we choose a personalized path for each patient.
Q. So acupuncture is only part of the equation?
A. That’s correct. Depending on my assessment, I may use a variety of other treatments from Chinese medicine to get the desired results. I may also suggest herbal medicines, dietary therapy, exercise and lifestyle recommendations. Cupping and gua sha may also be options.
Q. Cupping: That’s the therapy that mega-medalist Michael Phelps used at the 2016 Olympics. You could see the red-circle marks on his back when he was swimming.
A. Yes, he and other athletes use cupping. It’s wonderful; it’s kind of like a reverse massage. It breaks up tight muscles and increases range of motion, and we generally use it on the upper back and shoulders in conjunction with acupuncture because it helps to relax the body at the fascial level. It increases the blood flow and decreases inflammation.
Q. What does it involve?
A. We choose the area to be cupped and put oil on it. Then we apply small glass cups; they are called “fire cups” because we place a flame inside them to heat them up to create a vacuum. We place them on the skin and leave them there for five to 10 minutes. They act as suction cups; it’s like having someone gently go over your skin with the hose of a vacuum cleaner. It leaves red circles, but they don’t hurt at all.
Q. You also mentioned gua sha.
A. Yes, that’s another effective ancient treatment in which a smooth, stone-like implement is used to scrape the skin to break up tension in the muscles. The movement creates small red dots under the skin that look like a mild rash. The whole treatment takes only a few minutes, and it’s gentle enough to even use on babies.
Learn more about Asian remedies at njacucenter.com.
Recipe for Combating Illnesses
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp scallions (white parts), chopped
Dash of cinnamon (if you’re feeling clammy)
Add boiling water and let steep for 12 minutes. Add a touch of honey (optional).
Drink this mixture while wrapped in blankets.
Repeat until you sweat.