Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), originated in ancient China over 2,000 years ago, is one of the most widespread holistic healing systems in the world. TCM is taking into account all components of a person’s lifestyle, habits and history. It examines these components and determines where imbalances have developed allowing for certain disorders to arise.
Acupuncture is one of the five branches of Eastern Medicine. The five branches include nutrition, herbs, exercise (Qi Gong), massage or bodywork (Tui Na) and acupuncture.
Acupuncture is the art and science of placement at specific points in the body very fine sterile needles in order to rebalance the internal environment, re-establish homeostasis, and therefore treat disease. According to traditional theories acupuncture influences the vital force, or Qi, of the body.
Western science has proven that acupuncture can regulate the body by many mechanisms, including stimulating the endocrine and nervous systems. Acupuncture activates a natural pain suppression system in the brain, releases chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins, and lowers stress hormones. It also has been proven to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation and relax muscular trigger points.
Acupuncture is mostly painless, sometimes you’ll feel some sensation during insertion, other sensations may arise when you will be resting on the table of heaviness, warmth or lightness of your body. Mostly you will feel relaxed and if you decide to close your eyes you might even fall asleep.
First appointments are longer (about 90 min), we will go over the initial intake form (connection here to PDF form) and talk in length about your reason of coming in.
We will discuss your medical history, diet, digestive system, medication, emotional state, sleep and more.
After our conversation i will come with a specific treatment plan for you based on everything we have discussed followed by an acupuncture treatment, you will be staying with the needles for approximately 20 min.
On follow up treatments (last about 60 min) your progress will be tracked and adjustments will be made as needed.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is often used to address disorders that need daily attention, as herbs can be consumed everyday. Herbs are prescribed in many forms, from raw plants that are decocted into teas, to powders, pills, tinctures (liquid extracts) and topical preparations, such as plasters and liniments. Not all acupuncturists are herbalists, so be sure that your practitioner is a board-certified herbalist, because although herbs are natural substances, they can be unsafe if used inappropriately.
As safety is our main concern, we make sure our herbs are coming from reputable US suppliers with excellent quality control.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers other non-invasive modalities that can be helpful in different situations. Some of the modalities used are:
A form for medical massage that uses acupressure and other manipulation techniques follows the meridians.
A form of heat therapy that uses mugwort herb to warm and stimulate acupuncture points.
A therapeutic heating device which is placed over specific areas of the body to increase circulation to help alleviate pain and stiffness.
Placement of glass or plastic cups on certain areas on the body to create suction on the skin which increase circulation, can help with cough, relief cold and more.
Low electrical current is applied to provide continuous stimulation to acupuncture points.
Pediatric specialized acupuncture technique was developed specifically for infants and children involved stroke, rub, tap and press the skin to produce a variety of gentle stimulation sensations. Rounded tools, including rods of stone, shell, silver, or gold, are typically used. These techniques serve to harmonize and boost a child’s vital energy and help with wide variety of conditions, including colic, indigestion, GERD, constipation, diarrhea, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergies, asthma, eczema, hives, bedwetting and more.
