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 | |  Acupuncture has succeeded in many cases where main stream medical treatments have failed, and with lasting affect.
The far-reaching impact of this ancient, cost effective medical system for healing, wellness, and pain management could well herald the medicine of the future. So I encourage you to proceed with confidence to new possibilities for health and wellness.
Treatments last an average of 35 minutes, depending on the depth and severity of your condition. Using sterilized, single use, fine needles, each meridian is accessed through acupuncture points at specific locations along the meridian. Each point has a predictable effect upon the Qi of the meridian. Abnormal Qi flow results in disease; correcting this will allow your body to return to good health. In cases of pain, the acupuncture causes the brain to release opiate-like hormones that have a powerful analgesic effect and induce a deep state of relaxation and healing.
Dating back over three thousand years, acupuncture is the primary health care system in China. It is also widespread in Asia, Europe and now the U.S. Acupuncturists are being utilized more and more in hospitals, rehab centers, doctors' offices and wellness centers throughout the U.S. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities including herbal medicine, massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation, and physical therapy (to name a few). The healing affects of acupuncture and herbs are gentle and free of negative side effects. | |
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| |  Often times Michele will recommend an herbal formula to assist your treatment and add support to your body so that you get the greatest benefit from your acupuncture session. Not only are these formulas safe when prescribed by a qualified practitioner, but they are also very effective. There are several forms the herbs may take.
Raw herbal formula, which is excellent for Americans. The use of this type of herbal medicine is my personal favorite because it is easy to tailor the formula specifically for your body's imbalance and can easily be added to and taken from to maintain the optimum benefits. Preparation time takes approximately 1 hour per new bag of herbs. Raw herbal formulas cost between $4 and $15 per bag (lasts approximately 1-2 weeks)
Granular formulas are similar to the raw formula in that the herb is freeze dried and pulverized. Since it is granular, prep time is zero and you simply add boiling hot water one cup at a time. Personally, convenience is nice but this type of herb can be very hard on the digestion for Americans who are new to Chinese Herbal Medicine. The average cost for the granular formulas range between $20 and $40 per bag. (1 week)
Patent formulas, another excellent option for Americans is the ultimate in ease to take, store, and replace. These are prepackaged herbal formulas which I will recommend to you and you will add to your current pill taking habits. These are cost effective as well, ranging from $2 to $15 per box (lasts appr. 10 days)
Whichever form of herbs we decide upon, they are sure to help you decrease the amount of time and money you will have to spend to get yourself looking and feeling 100%!
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| |  Cupping is a therapy often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote the free flow of Qi. In general, pain is the result of qi (your body’s life force) becoming slow or stagnant. Cupping is often used to treat pain of the lower back, shoulders or legs, especially when your pain is of an arthritic nature. Problems such as stomachache, diarrhea, cough and asthma also respond well to this method.
There are several techniques handed down from many generations, in our clinic, Michele uses the method referred to as the Fire Twinkling Method. In essence, a "torch" is created using forceps and cotton soaked in 91% alcohol, ignite the "torch", and put the flame inside the cup to create a vacuum and place the cup on the skin. The cups are retained 5 to 10 minutes and then removed. Although cupping does leave temporary marks, patients are very satisfied with the pain relief and relaxing effects of this procedure. | |
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| |  Tui Na dates back to 1700 BC and is the parent of most modern Asian bodywork forms. Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tui Na seeks to establish a more harmonious and continuous flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body to naturally heal itself
One of Tui Na's advantages over simple massage is its ability to focus on specific problems, especially chronic pain associated with the muscles, joints, and skeletal system. It's especially effective: - for joint pain (such as arthritis)
- sciatica
- muscle spasms
- pain in the back, neck, and shoulders
- chronic conditions such as insomnia, constipation, headaches (including migraines)
- the tension associated with stress.
Tui na is not especially useful for those seeking a mild, sedating and relaxing massage since it tends to be more task focused than other types of bodywork
Tui Na does not simply work on the muscles, bones, and joints. It works with the energy of the body at a deeper level. As Michele senses the client's body with her hands, she is able to assess the distribution of energy and affect its flow.
Tuina (tui na) is well suited for the treatment of specific musculoskeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems..
As with other styles of Asian bodywork, Tui Na is designed to prevent problems, not just correct them. By keeping the body's energy in balance, health is maintained. This is true not just for physical health, but for mental and emotional well-being as well. | |
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| |  Guasha treatment helps to relax the tension in the muscles and increase the movement of the body fluids, which enhances the metabolic function and increases the immune response. Guasha therapy is painless and simple. The area to be treated on the patient is lubricated using a special pain relieving herbal oil, to enhance the effect of the treatment. Then, Michele will painlessly scrape the body using a round ended Guasha tool. Guasha, the word is derived from two separate words Gua and Sha, which means ‘to scrape of’ and ‘millet grain like red rash’. Guasha therapy is a deep massage like treatment method, based on the Chinese concept of bio-energy, Chi or Qi. Guasha massage therapy creates ‘Sha’ in the body of the patient. Sha is the colored rashes in the body, which are either stagnated body fluids or petechiae, red spots caused by hemorrhage of capillaries. The stagnated body fluids brought out to the subcutaneous layer of skin, while the strokes of the Guasha therapy are seen in different colors such as red, purple, blue, and green. The difference in the color of the rashes can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess the seriousness of the diseased condition and the marks disappear as the issue resolves. Guasha massage therapy is effective for a number of diseases ranging from common viral infections to chronic disorders. Guasha therapy is commonly used for the treatment of musculoskeletal ailments such as muscle disorders, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and strains. In addition, this therapy has significant influence to alleviate the feminine problems such as menstrual problems, insufficient lactation, and uterine complaints. | |
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The material is Artemisia Vulgaris, a derivative of the chrysanthemum. When burned it is used to open each of the 12 meridians adding warmth and freeing energy and blood flow. Moxa is used to apply heat to certain points and other specific areas of the body. Among its many uses, Michele often uses moxa in the treatment of pain not typically caused by injury, but due to the aging process. Another important use of moxa is to reduce illness by increasing your immunity, making moxibustion a very important tool in preventing disease. With proper instruction you can use moxa at home to give you that extra lift of energy for a more powerful workout. | |
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| |  Color therapy, also known as chromatherapy, is based on the premise that certain colors are infused with healing energies. The therapy uses the seven colors of the rainbow to promote balance and healing in the mind and body. In traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ and organ system is associated with a color. Click Here to learn more!
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