Services
What we do and how we do it.
Acupuncture is an ancient healing therapy that has been practiced in China for thousands of years and the most commonly used modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West. It utilizes extremely thin, sterilized needles to stimulate certain points of the body. This in turn promotes the flow of the body’s vital energy, or “qi”, which has been shown to alleviate pain and help treat various medical conditions. The needles are placed in points found along the channels, or meridians, that run throughout the entire body. These meridians are connected to the internal organs as well as to the exterior of the body and acupuncture rectifies and harmonizes the body’s imbalance of qi and expel pathogenic factors.
A comprehensive diagnosis, based on the principles of TCM, can indicate the degree and type of qi imbalance. The diagnostic procedures may include one or more of the following:
- Inspection – analysis of the face, skin, and particularly the tongue
- Auscultation – listening to the sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs with a stethoscope
- Palpation – analysis by feeling, particularly the wrist pulse, abdomen, and meridian points, and/or
- Questions – inquiries ranging from diet to lifestyle habits
Once the body’s qi imbalance has been diagnosed and analyzed, a practitioner will select one of several techniques to restore balance in accordance with the Chinese laws of physiology. The most commonly used acupuncture points are on the lower legs, arms, head, and ears. This therapy can strengthen the immune system, enhance circulation, regulate hormones, increase energy, and reduce stress.
Is acupuncture painful? Not at all. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, measuring just two times the size of a strand of hair and ten times smaller than an injection needle. Other than a slight sensation, most patients do not feel any discomfort or pain during treatment.
Similar to acupuncture, cupping therapy is another modality of TCM that dates back several centuries since it was first used by doctors in the East. This particular therapy uses specialized cups that are placed on top of the skin and a vacuum is created inside. This vacuum creates a suction, pulling the surface of the skin and the underlying tissues upward. It can be considered a type of deep-tissue massage, but the tissues are pulled away (decompressed) from your body rather than pushed towards (compressed). Depending on the area being treated, any number of cups could be used at once. The most common areas are the back, calves, hamstrings, and quads. Cups are be made from glass, plastic, or bamboo and are sterilized before and after each use.
Cupping can be used to reduce inflammation, muscle tension, pain, and increase blood flow. It is a non-invasive and completely painless procedure. Patients may notice red cupping marks on the area(s) treated – this is normal and will diminish after several days.
Herbal medicine, derived from natural plants and roots, are considered an essential remedy for many acute and chronic conditions. Herbs with medicinal properties can address unhealthy body patterns that manifest in a variety of symptoms and complaints. The aims of these herbs are to help the body regain homeostasis and to strengthen the body’s resistance to diseases. They are useful in the rehabilitation from chronic diseases, symptoms that are hard to pinpoint, exhaustion of traditional medical options, or to counteract any side-effects of prescription medications. Herbal medicine is most effective when used in tandem with acupuncture.
Traditionally, herbal medicine was prescribed in its raw form and patients were required to prepare and decoct the herbs into liquid form before use. This was tedious and time consuming, and the taste and scent of raw herbs was often less than desirable.
Today, those very same herbs and roots are extracted into granules that are packed in a variety of forms, ready for immediate use. The most common form of herbs we dispense are in easy to swallow capsules.
Consult with our practitioner to see which formula of herbal medicine can help address your health concerns and overall well-being.
We take a holistic and integrative approach to your health, so every treatment is tailored specifically to the patient and may include any combination of our services. We will discuss the details of your treatment procedures during your visit, as well as any herbal supplement recommendations.