Advanced Acupuncture in Melbourne FL
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and used for thousands of years. It continues to be practiced worldwide because of its effectiveness in restoring balance and supporting the body’s natural regulatory systems.
Today, acupuncture is recognized by major health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for its role in pain regulation, nervous system function, and physiological balance.
How acupuncture works:
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Very thin, solid, sterile needles are placed at specific points on the body
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These points are chosen based on clinical assessment, not just where pain is felt
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Point stimulation sends signals through the nervous system, traveling from the nerves to the spinal cord and brain to restore the body’s function
Modern research shows acupuncture influences:
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The nervous system
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Blood flow and circulation
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Inflammatory responses
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How the brain processes pain
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Muscle function
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Hormonal function
A whole mind-body approach
Acupuncture is a holistic body and mind approach that focuses on the body as an integrated system. Through nervous system modulation, treatment helps quiet the mind, restore internal balance, and support the body’s natural ability to heal.
Meridians, Points, and Clinical Decision
Acupuncture uses a system of meridians and points along those pathways to guide care. This system helps explain how different areas of the body are connected and how function is regulated.
Chinese medicine uses its own clinical language. This language describes patterns in the body rather than disease names. It is used to guide treatment and works alongside Western medical care.
Acupuncture points
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There are over 361 classical acupuncture points along the meridians
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Each point has a specific purpose
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Points are chosen based on what they influence, not just where symptoms appear
Microsystems
Additionally to the meridians that run through the body, there are other areas where points are localed. These areas of the body reflect the whole body and are called microsystems, they include:
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Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture
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Scalp Acupuncture
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Hand Microsystem
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Abdominal (Umbilical) System
What to know: Because there are many possible acupuncture point combinations, treatment works best when is personalized.
Other Acupuncture Techniques
Electroacupuncture builds upon traditional acupuncture by adding controlled electrical stimulation between selected needles. After acupuncture needles are placed based on your diagnosis, small clips are attached to specific points to deliver a gentle, measured current. The intensity is carefully adjusted to your comfort level.
This technique allows for more consistent and sustained stimulation than manual needle techniques alone. The electrical impulses can influence nerve signaling, muscle activation, and local circulation in a precise way.
From a physiological perspective, electroacupuncture may:
• Support modulation of pain pathways
• Improve communication between nerves and muscles
• Enhance local blood flow
• Influence inflammatory signaling
• Promote tissue healing and functional recovery
Patients typically describe the sensation as a mild pulsing, tapping, or rhythmic contraction. It should not be painful, and settings are adjusted throughout the treatment as needed.
Watch Dr. Andrea explain the difference between acupuncture and electroacupuncture
What is Electroacupuncture?
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling targets tight or dysfunctional muscle tissue by focusing on specific trigger points. It is used to release tension, improve local circulation, and reduce pain related to muscular restriction.
In Florida, providers such as physical therapists and chiropractors may perform dry needling after completing certification training, typically 40 to 50 hours depending on the profession.
At Bodhi, dry needling is performed within the scope of advanced acupuncture training and supported by thousands of hours of clinical education. Rather than addressing only local muscle tension, it is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that supports tissue healing and whole-body regulation to promote lasting results.
Watch Dr. Andrea explain the difference between dry needling and acupuncture
Why Experience and Clinical Judgment Matter
Acupuncture at Bodhi is not a formula-based treatment. Because the same symptoms can have different root causes in different patients, all of our treatments are personalized.
Clinical judgment guides:
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Which points are selected
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How many points are used
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Which techniques are applied
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How treatments change over time
What to know: Experience and advanced training allows care to adapt as the body responds, rather than following fixed protocols.
Do you have to go to school to practice Acupuncture?
Yes. Acupuncture Physicians must complete advanced graduate-level education and pass national board examinations.
In Florida, licensure is overseen by the Florida Board of Acupuncture under the Florida Department of Health.
Requirements include:
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A minimum of four years of accredited graduate-level coursework
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National board certification examinations in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and biomedicine. Administered by the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM)
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Ongoing continuing education to maintain licensure
Dr. Andrea Izquierdo, L.Ac., exceeds state standards for academic and clinical training. She continues advanced study each year with leading practitioners and institutions worldwide. This ongoing work strengthens the precision and clinical judgment behind every treatment decision.
Florida law (Chapter 457) recognizes acupuncture physicians as primary care providers authorized to order laboratory testing. They are regulated under federal healthcare privacy laws (HIPAA).
At Bodhi TCM Acupuncture in Melbourne FL, treatment is tailored to your specific diagnosis, goals, and lifestyle. Our approach focuses on meaningful symptom relief while addressing underlying patterns for long-term results.