What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is an ancient art of healing that began more than 2,000 years ago in an area we now call China. The indigenous people used various ways to help heal people: herbs, moxibustion, which meant heating stones and applying them to the body, needles made from stones, and tui na, a form of massage. Today, Chinese medicine includes several healing modalities, including acupuncture, herbal treatment, tui na (massage), qi gong (exercise), and dietary guidance. The goal is to balance the body. A body in balance is healthy.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of sterile, disposable needles into specific points on the body. The practitioner selects the points based on the pattern that the patient presents. For example, if two people come in with a headache, entirely different points may be used. One person may have a dull headache because she is exhausted and very fatigued. Her pattern requires points that are nourishing. On the other hand, a woman who is stressed and has a throbbing headache needs points with a very different intention. The patient's description of his or her symptoms, observing the tongue, feeling the pulse, and palpating the channels along the arms and legs helps the practitioner determine the pattern and create a unique treatment plan for that person.

Does acupuncture hurt?

No, it should not hurt. I believe that too many people suffer from pains and discomfort throughout the day, so I aim to create a treatment that is peaceful, gentle, and soothing. Acupuncture needles are as thin as a strand of hair. You might feel a slight pinch when it first goes in, but most people don't even know the needle was inserted. After the needle has been inserted, the area could feel very heavy or achy. You may feel movement throughout your body, but it should not be painful.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment?

If this is your first time receiving acupuncture or coming to this office, please go to "New Patients" page for additional information.

Can I receive acupuncture if I'm under the care of a western doctor?

Absolutely. You should tell each person about the other so that you receive the best care possible.

How many treatments do I need?

Everyone is different. If you are coming for something you've had for a while, most likely it will take longer to heal. Think about it. Your body has been in pain for a while, so it also takes a while to build up its strength again. With something more acute, you may see an improvement the very next day.

What are Chinese herbs?

There are thousands of individual Chinese herbs that have been used for thousands of years. For centuries, herbs have been combined to create formulas that have been researched and used in practiced.

Chinese herbs include barks, leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, fruits, minerals, and some animal products; however, I do no use animal products. Many of the Chinese herbs are common ingredients you can find in your kitchen, such as ginger, cinnamon, mint, and scallions.