Classical Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

Chinese Medicine represents one of humanity’s richest uninterrupted streams of traditional knowledge. It is a highly sophisticated clinical system that offers a real alternative for the serious health care needs of our time. It is rooted in an ancient tradition that has evolved over the past two thousand years! Although Americans generally perceive Chinese medicine as simply acupuncture, Classical Chinese Medicine uses a variety of modalities to treat patients; including the applications of Acupuncture, Asian Bodywork and Manual therapies (such as cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion), Chinese Herbology, Chinese Symbology, Movement Therapies ( like Qigong), plus Chinese Nutrition and Lifestyle counseling.

I work with a wide range of health conditions, including chronic and recurrent pain, infertility, menopause, stress-related issues, autoimmune and degenerative disorders. Much of my work focuses on helping individuals with trauma, emotional and mental health challenges heal towards empowerment, resiliency and meaning making.

Acupuncture

The general theory of acupuncture is that proper physiological function and health depend on the circulation of nutrients, substances and energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) through a network of channels or meridians. This network connects every organ of the body, providing balance, regulation and coordination of physiological processes. Pain and ill-health result when the flow of Qi throughout the body is disrupted or blocked by things such as disease, pathogens, trauma/injuries and medication (side effects), as well as lifestyle factors such as overwork, poor diet, lack of rest and stress. Stimulation of the appropriate acu-points through acupuncture treatment helps to restore sufficient, continuous and even flow of Qi and other nutrients throughout the body, thereby restoring health and balance to the body, while relieving pain and other symptoms.

What does acupuncture feel like?

Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when inserted.  When retained,  the needles may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is the largest organized herbal system in the world. While many cultures have herbal medicine traditions, the sophistication of Chinese herbal medicine is unsurpassed. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history reaching back several thousand years, and the resulting system is now used to treat everything from the common cold to certain types of cancer. It is a potent form of therapy used as a complement to acupuncture treatments and as a primary form of therapy. I often tell my clients that taking Chinese herbals every day is like getting an acupuncture treatment everyday.

There are thousands of herbs in the Chinese materia medica, of which about 300 are commonly used. You will generally receive a mixture of several different herbs in a formula that has been tailored to your condition. Chinese herbs are extremely effective and normally have only mild side effects, however it is very important to tell Lisa about all the medications and supplements you are currently taking so that we can avoid any unwanted interactions with your formula. Read more on Chinese herbs here.