Chinese Medicine, a way of nourishing life

Your body is more like a garden than you think. Creating wellness is a year-round endeavor that needs Sun, Water, moderate moisture of Soil, Love and a good deal of patience. 

It's a good thing that you and nature have so much in common. We see it as the way Medicine is meant to be. Which is why we continue to employ the same natural healing methods to cultivate life.  

Steps to Wellness - Cultivating Life

In its initial phase, Chinese Medicine acts upon symptoms much like a gardener cutting back excess weeds. In the second phase, your physician addresses the underlying cause of illness, taking complete care to remove the weeds and prepare the soil for new seeds to plant. This phase heals what is creating pain and discomfort, setting the stage for healthy living. The final phase is ongoing treatment to prevent the return of weeds while building a healthy foundation to support the growth of beautiful plants and flowers.

Cause of Disease

Feel stuck?
Disease is rooted in Spirit and reflects all aspects of life.

Chinese medicine sets great importance on emotional states such as stress, anxiety, anger, fear, and grief. Each of these can have a particular affect upon the energy balance of the body.  Diet, levels of exercise, work and living conditions can also impact health.

Chinese medicine works on all three levels of the human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual. When these energies flow freely, like a river, then good health and vitality will flourish. When there are obstacles or you feel stuck, this creates pain and disease. Chinese medicine has five healing branches to treat and prevent disease:

• Acupuncture and Moxibustion

• Herbal Medicine

• Medical Massage (Acupressure and Tui-Na)

• Dietary Therapy

• Qi Exercise

Which treatment will give you a better sense of peace?

Acupuncture

Do you have any of these health concerns?
* Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Stress and Sleep disturbances
* Emotional trauma (including PTSD)
* Pain (Lower back, Neck, Headaches)
* Sinus allergies, Cold flu
* High blood pressure
* Emotional underlays of disease
* Women's Health (Gynecological Disorders/Pregnancy and Post-Partum Support/Sexuality)
* More (please see other conditions effectively treated by acupuncture in our FAQ).

Acupuncture is a gentle, personalized, natural, safe, effective, and drug free alternative choice. You will not know how acupuncture can affect your health concerns until you try it. It is free of side effects and certainly worth an attempt to free you from your ailments.

Try Acupuncture today.

Non-needle Treatments
(existing patients only)

Chinese Medicine and acupuncture treatments isn't just about needles. There are several auxiliary methods used in conjunction with acupuncture, or by themselves when a patient is wary of getting needled. The following treatments are for existing patients only.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is a very important treatment method in classical Chinese Medicine. Just as acupuncture applies treatments from the outside-in, herbs are used to treat conditions from the inside-out. This is especially powerful for chronic conditions that may have taken years to develop and manifest externally. Returning to the analogy of the body as a garden, the herbs offer a root-level attack. Your acupuncturist is trained to prescribe and provide the unique combinations and dosages specific to your medical history and condition that is exactly right for you, your body, and your sensitivities. For more information on herbal treatments, please refer to our Herbal Medicine FAQ. 

Is your body worth the special care and consideration it deserves?
Consult with your acupuncturist today to find out the treatment that is right for you.

Cupping Therapy

* Pains (lower back and legs, neck and shoulders)
* Respiratory problems (cough, bronchitis, asthma)
* Menstrual problems and digestive problems (stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea)
* Detoxification

Cupping therapy has been part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It is like a very deep tissue massage. Cupping works by applying a vacuum to the body using small glass jars to stimulate circulation and clear blockages that cause pain and other ailments. The result is a movement of fresh blood to the area, release of toxins, acupuncture point stimulation, increased circulation of blood and lymph, relaxation of tight muscles, and reduced inflammation.

! Cupping Marks: Cupping does leave noticeable marks similar to a bruise or hickey that is sometimes referred to as "cup kisses". Although they can look alarming, they are not painful and will disappear on their own within 3-7 days. Please see our Cupping and Gua Sha Consent Form.

Experience this ancient healing modality first hand.

Medical Massage Therapy (Acupressure; Tui-Na)

* Ideal for children:
     relief and prevention of colds and flu.
* Suitable for the elderly:
     sciatica, arthritis, mobility problems, constipation and poor circulation.

Acupressure involves the stimulation of acupuncture points with finger pressure rather than inserting needless. It is non-invasive and gentle which stimulates the body's natural self-healing abilities and works as great preventative therapy. The effects of acupressure are less potent than those of acupuncture, and as a result more treatments may be needed to get the same results.

Medical massage is gentle, safe, and effective for many conditions. Parents can also be taught self-help techniques to use on their children at home.

! Caution: Certain acupressure points must be avoided during pregnancy. Be sure to tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.

Preventative therapy for self-healing.

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture Medicine

* Most often used for addiction, smoking cessation, and weight loss

Auricular acupuncture involves the stimulation of the acupoints located on the ear with tiny seeds or pellets. The seeds do not pierce the skin, and are painless when affixed. The client will leave these seeds in for up to 1 week and re-stimulate the points by massaging the ear several times each day. Over 200 acupoints on each ear represent the anatomy and functions of the human body. When we stimulate these points we access the central nervous system through the cranial nerves on the auricle of the ear. A trained practitioner can not only treat a wide range of diseases using only the ear, but can diagnose them as well.

Fashionable ear therapy.

Moxibustion

* treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders
      pain, infertility, ulcers, and many other ailments
* improving general health

Moxibustion evolved thousands of years ago in early northern China. It is part of traditional Chinese medical practices and came about at the same time as acupuncture. The radiant heat produced by moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body to restore balance, promote circulation, and reduce pain. This form of treatment is usually combined with acupuncture.

Note: The burning of moxa will produce a potent smoke. For people who have asthma or respiratory problems, smokeless moxa can be used.

Nutritional Therapy

* begin your healing journey with your next meal

Nutrition is a very important element for both healing and disease prevention. Many diseases and symptoms can be treated with dietary changes alone; however it often takes longer and requires the utmost compliance and dedication on the patient’s behalf. Unfortunately, today’s population has a poor concept of what constitutes a good diet. The fast paced lifestyle often gives nutritious eating a low priority. At the same time, mind-boggling and controversial dietary advice adds even more confusion to modern day eating habits. As a result, we see deterioration in the quality of people’s lives in the form of obesity, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, etc.

Chinese nutrition uniquely differs from modern Western nutrition in that it determines the energies and therapeutic properties of foods instead of analyzing the chemical constituents of them. The advantage of this approach lies in its ability to customize to every individual’s needs. Furthermore, it takes into consideration such factors as body type, season, and one’s geographical location in determining the appropriate diet. This reminds us again that the body is a garden to be cultivated harmoniously according to the time of year, climate, inner and outer elements.

For more information about acupuncture and its healing powers, visit our Acupuncture FAQ page.

Book an appointment today.