Theresa Barcus

Acupuncturist

73 S Palm Avenue Suite 223 Sarasota FL, 34236 Show map

About
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About

Theresa Barcus is an acupuncturist practicing in Sarasota, FL. Dr. Barcus evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and looking at and touching the body. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific points on the body. Stimulating these points and nerves is how Dr. Barcus treats the patients condition. Many of the bodys systems respond to acupuncture, and it can treat physical pain as well as emotional stress.

Education and Training

Tulane University BSPH, environmental sciences 2008

East West College Natural Medicine DOM, L.Ap 2014

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish

Theresa Barcus

Theresa Barcus's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can acupunture decrease my body weight?
Hello, Thank you for writing. Acupuncture, in regards to weight loss, will help to strengthen your digestive organs and their function, relieve stress, and promote circulation. All of which are very important foundation builders to lose weight. The treatments themselves to not directly cause weight loss, but instead make the entire system more balanced and efficient, so you can do so naturally. Best of luck and continued motivation. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help with TMJ?
Hello, Thank you for your question. Acupuncture can be very helpful not only to relieve the physical tension from TMJ, but also the internal stress which often is the root and/or and exasperating side effects. You should allow for at least 3 closely timed sessions at first, and plan to continue as necessary to prolong good results. Ultimately, however, you do want to address the internal or external root causing the TMJ. For example, if stress, it is best to determine why and work on creating releases and/or boundaries for oneself in relation to that stress. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help me in managing stress?
Hello, Yes, acupuncture is very helpful in managing stress. There are a number of protocols which alleviate stress on a physical (communicating directly with the nervous system), mental (helping to regulate emotions stemming from stressors), and energetic levels. It can literally help you "re-pattern" your body to a more relaxed and peacefully responsive state. Additionally, these treatments can be very simple and use very few needle to be effective. I highly recommend trying at least 3 sessions. Though remember with acupuncture, the more sessions you do closer together, the more stable and longer term balance you obtain. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
My wife has no drive for sex. Will acupuncture be able to help at all?
Hello, Yes, acupuncture could be very helpful to increase libido. There are a number of protocols and points specific to libido actually. Additionally, there are often a number of factors that go into decreased sex drive. One of the largest is often stress, and for women sometimes also hormonal and/or menopausal transitions; acupuncture is very helpful in balancing both of these as well. I recommend finding a practitioner who your wife easily connects with (this, in my opinion, is very important due to the energetic aspects of the medicine), is nationally licensed, and has completed at least masters degree specific to acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine (to which acupuncture is included). Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Is it advisable to take acupuncture treatment along with normal medication?
Hello, Thank you for your question. Acupuncture can be done in lieu of medication, and often times it is actually working to balance what the medication if for. Thus, it is often a great idea to do alongside medicines and should not have any adverse effect when done correctly. Also, when done correctly (and this is an important aspect), acupuncture can be very beneficial to help lower hypertension, as well as get to the root cause. Best to you, Terri READ MORE
Is there a treatment for bronchitis in acupuncture?
Hello, In this situation acupuncture would not cure the bronchitis, but it very much could help strengthen the lungs and - very importantly- your son’s immune system. In the big picture, this would mean fewer and/or reduced severity of bronchitis bouts. Additionally, there are smaller details (such as stress relief and digestive improvement) that would give supplemental support to his body and mind as well. I would imagine any improvement to be a relief for you all, chronic situations can be so tough! I would definitely recommend trying. Remember, acupuncture is a therapy, and especially for chronic situations, you will most likely need ongoing sessions, at least until improvements build up and can be seen for long stints of time. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Can I go to an acupuncturist to get rid of my abdominal pain?
Hello, Abdominal pain originating from gas can usually very much be helped with acupuncture. Additionally, it can help regulate the digestive system and bowels to give good long term effect of keeping the bloating away. More so, there are also acupuncture protocols to regulate acid and thus reduce and/or eliminate acid reflux or GERD symptoms. It is definitely worth a try! Always look for a licensed and well-educated practitioner, usually with over 3000 hours of specifically Eastern medicine training.Thank you for your question. READ MORE
I am having a lot of stress due to menopause and I am unable to sleep soundly. Should I go for acupuncture treatment?
Acupuncture helps to regulate the hormones, as well as the overall body temperature (for example ‘releasing’ some of the heat felt in hot-flashes and during night sweats). These two aspects alone will be very helpful for giving you better sleep. Additionally, acupuncture is very good with relieving stress and regulating emotions, which will give excellent support to your body and mind during this transition time. Stay in tune with your body- it is speaking volumes right now. Pay attention and you will ultimately be able to tell what helps and hurts. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Can accupuncture help in bringing down my cholesterol?
Acupuncture is very beneficial for regulating digestion and stress. It will be excellent supportive therapy to help give you success with your new diet (both mentally helping your confidence and physically allowing your body to assimilate food better, thus giving you more energy and a healthier body- for example lowering cholesterol). So, will it alone lower cholesterol- most likely not. However, it would be a great therapy to add to your new lifestyle to very much help you be successful in your goals. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Can an acupuncturist help me with my GERD?
Hello, Yes, there is a very good chance acupuncture can help you. There are specific points used to both reduce the reflux and regulate the esophageal and stomach functions. Additionally, acupuncture can help harmonize other digestive organs, which may be inhibited or negatively affected by the GERD, as well as reduce physical and mental stresses to boost immunity and the body’s overall feel. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Can acupuncture treatment go wrong?
As with any medical treatment, there are risks involved. If you are working with a board certified acupuncture physician who has completed an in-depth study (usually over 3000 hours) these risks should be minimal due to understood contraindications (where Not to needle and what Not to do). However, risks of acupuncture include hematoma (bruising at local site), temporary nerve sensations (tingling or sharper pain usually very short-lived), slight discomfort upon needle insertion, fatigue (should a treatment be too strong for the patient), and burns if heat treatment is used. None of the above are extremely common, but can happen. Of the above, the bruising is seen the most. There are more serious complications, but these stem from physician error, should they be needling against regulations (too deep, too aggressively, and/or over areas of main arteries or areas contraindicated to needling). Thank you for your question. READ MORE
Is acupuncture effective in treating blood related problems like anemia?
Acupuncture can help anemia, though through a different perspective from allopathic/Western medicine. Acupuncture views anemia as a type of deficiency within the blood. There are points to stimulate blood cell production, promote circulation, relieve stress, and regulate menses. All of which help anemic patients to strengthen and nourish their bodies. Results of the most recent blood test should be brought to your acupuncture physician. It is also important to focus on proper blood-building diets, excercise, and working alongside the patient’s MD to give supplemental treatment depending on the type of anemia. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
How long does the effect of acupuncture last?
This will depend on the severity of the issue, frequency of the acupuncture, the type of acupuncture treatment performed, and adjusted (or not) lifestyle of the patient. Every one is an individual and responds uniquely to acupuncture- even though some generalities can be made. For example, the more treatments done closer together give the longest lasting results. That being said, for acute and/or short term imbalances, issues could be resolved within a 5-10 treatment set. For chronic issues going on multiple years it could take upward of 50-70 treatments. Additionally, if the patient is continuing activities which exacerbate the problem, or if the condition is deemed ‘uncurable’ from an allopathic/western standpoint, then treatment will be ‘working uphill’ and may need to be continual. Please note, even once issues are resolved acupuncture should be continued on a preventative schedule once every 1-3 months as recommended by your acupuncture physician. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
I have headaches frequently. Can acupuncture treatment help?
It is definitely worth a try! Headaches can be very complicated and, I know from a personal and professional standpoint, very painful. Acupuncture has very good results in general with pain relief, including headaches and migraines. Acupuncture can communicate directly with nerves to inhibit pain and release endorphins. Additionally, it reduces stress, regulates hormones, and relieves emotional ups and downs, which all may be causing or exacerbating the headaches. Thank you for your question. Patients should also be sure to discuss diet, exercise levels, and recent medications, as well as be open to possible necessary lifestyle changes to keep the headaches from returning. READ MORE