What to expect
I offer a variety of therapies and often integrate services to meet each individual’s unique needs. I work with patients to uncover the root cause of illness or discomfort, then utilize East Asian Medicine methods to help patients find relief and restore well-being.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the primary tools used in East Asian Medicine to relieve pain, prevent disease and restore balance in the body. Acupuncture points are distinct sites along channel pathways that are treated with the insertion of fine sterile needles to elicit a therapeutic response in the body. It works to facilitate the flow of lymph and blood to remove obstructions along channel pathways that may lead to illness and pain. Research has shown acupuncture to be effective in treating all systems of the body by affecting the nervous system, hormone output, circulation and immune response.
Moxibustion
A traditional form of heat therapy that involves burning refined mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) on acupuncture points, either directly on the skin or on the needle. It increases blood flow to the area, which stimulates and supports the body’s natural healing process. Moxibustion can be used alone or along with acupuncture.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal Medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and is a powerful therapy in treating the internal symptoms of the body. It involves the therapeutic use of plants and is prescribed based on the individual needs of each patient. Herbal medicine has been effectively used for a wide range of conditions including pain relief, hormone balancing, sleep enhancement, improved digestion and mental health. Most importantly herbal medicines have a low incidence of side effects compared to those of some western pharmaceuticals. They are safe and I purchase my herbal medicine from companies here in the United States who rigorously test all their products for pesticides and heavy metals.
CUPPING
Cupping therapy originated in China as a means of releasing toxins and tension from tissue. Small suction cups are placed on the skin using heat or a pump to create a vacuum effect on the tissue, then left in place for several minutes while blood and fluid is drawn to the site. It relieves pain and tension, promotes cellular repair, and improves immune function. Cupping has been found to treat a wide variety of health problems.
TUI NA
Tui Na is a form of Chinese medical massage that is commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture. It is a trusted treatment for healing musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders, as it utilizes different techniques to increase blood flow and treat blockages and stagnations that contribute to pain and illness.
NUTRITION
East Asian Medicine views food as medicine. Each meal is an opportunity for the body to heal itself. I help my patients choose appropriate foods to treat their ailments, balance their constitutional needs, as well as eating in accordance with seasonal changes. Nutrition is based on principles of balance and harmony with emphasis on the taste, temperature and function of different foods and how they help or hinder the function of the body. The goal is to educate each patient to choose foods to better their health and promote longevity. With our increasingly hectic lifestyles, we tend to choose food that is quick and convenient without much thought around what makes up a balanced diet. Nutrition is not only medicine to heal the body, but can be tailored to treat each person’s needs to help hasten disease prevention.