Services Offered

Acupuncture

Acupuncture works by utilizing tiny needles to access the body’s Qi, or vital energy, that is accessible at the acupuncture points. The practitioner then can guide that energy in very specific and intentional ways. The Qi can be supplemented, drained, or moved in order to restore the proper flow and balance of energy through the meridians in the body.

There are times when the Qi becomes stuck or is excessive in a specific area, similar to a traffic jam on the highway. When that happens the body will react, usually by becoming locally painful or even by manifesting signs of pathology in the organ that relates to that meridian. Likewise, when there is not enough Qi flowing in a meridian, symptoms can also show up, like weakness and fatigue, that show that not enough nourishment is being circulated to that part of the body or organ. Another pathology happens when Qi moves in the wrong direction causing situations like nausea, vomiting, and belching.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese Herbs are often helpful in treating many conditions ranging from the common cold to arthritis to insomnia. Herbal medicine is one of the most powerful natural modalities to positively impact your health. All of the herbs used in our clinic are GMP certified and tested by independent FDA approved laboratories. Becoming GMP certified is a very stringent and regulated testing process. All care is taken to assure herbal quality in the raw and processed state, as well as testing for heavy metals, bacteria and fungi. The manufacturing facilities are also inspected for proper manufacturing techniques, storage, and complete tracking protocols. All these steps are aimed to produce only the highest quality and safest herbal product for medicinal uses.

As each patient is absolutely unique and will present their symptoms differently at different stages of their illness, it is vitally important that your practitioner is able to customize your formula to your unique needs at the moment. This requires diligent and thorough herbal study. Christina is fully trained and Nationally Certified in Chinese Herbology. When needed, she is qualified and prepared to customize a formula onsite or to offer a ready-made capsule option.

Most patients can safely take Chinese Herbs at the same time as Western pharmaceuticals. But there are certain herb-drug interactions that should be avoided. So it is vitally important to update your practitioner if your medications have been changed in any way. Tell your Acupuncturist right away if your have started a new drug, been taken off an old drug, or if your dose has been recently changed. This is also a good practice to update all of your physicians to any and all medication changes if you are seeing multiple doctors.

Auricular Acupuncture (Ear)

The ear is a self-contained microsystem that affects the entire body. In Auricular Acupuncture points are often detected when there is a problem in the corresponding part of the body which that ear point represents. They are usually detected by a sensation that tends to be sharp and tender when stimulated. Body and ear points can be used together or separately depending on the need. One benefit of Auriculotherapy is being able to treat the ear when the problem is too painful to treat locally, such as with a sprained ankle or back spasm.

Both body and ear Acupuncture do not only reduce the level of pain, which is the immediate effect, but they also facilitate the natural healing processes of the body. By treating the deeper underlying condition, Auricular Acupuncture affects deeper physiological changes to facilitate the natural self-regulating homeostatic processes of the body.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation can be used along with an Acupuncture treatment to enhance the effect. The Acupuncture needles conduct the very small electrical currents into the points. This method has been proven to decrease pain, reduce inflammation, and to accelerate healing of the tissues involved.

This is a very safe procedure and the majority of people, whether an office worker or professional athlete, can often receive wonderful results. However, as with everything, caution is always wise. Be sure to tell your practitioner if you have a pacemaker or if you have a seizure disorder, as these conditions should not be combined with Electrical Stimulation.

Cupping

Cupping, as with all modalities, always begins with a comprehensive intake and diagnosis. The goal of any cupping treatment is to restore proper balance and free flow of Qi and blood. Through injury or cold, the flow of Qi and blood will be interfered with and blood stagnation (pain) will often develop. Cupping uses suction to draw the stagnation out towards the skin’s surface. This movement and action help the stagnation to be released and allows the free flow to resume.

Cupping causes blood to be drawn towards the skin surface. So it is common for red marks, temporary local swelling, and circular bruising to appear. These marks will eventually fade away in a couple of hours or possibly a few days, depending on the severity of the stagnation. It is vitally important to tell your practitioner if you are taking any blood thinning medicinals, if you have a bleeding disorder, or any hyperactive/hypersensitive skin conditions. If so, this type of treatment protocol should be avoided.

Moxibustion

Moxa has been used for approximately 3000 years. It is known as Moxa, Artemisia Vulgaris, and Mugwort. It can be burned directly on the skin (with proper precautions); but is more commonly burned indirectly on the end of a needle shaft or held over the point or effected meridian.

It is used to stimulate and warm Acupuncture points as well as meridian pathways. It stimulates circulation through the points, stimulates a smooth flow of Qi and blood, and helps dispel dampness and cold in the body. Moxa is used often to nourish deficient conditions and to dispel pain. It has been shown to be clinically effective to treat: dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Disorder, acute and chronic pain, etc.                                                

 Moxa photo compliments of www.megannewtonphotography.com