Treatment Modalities
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a powerful method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve overall function. By gently inserting hair-thin needles, we can release trigger points, relax muscles and naturally increase levels of endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin. Research demonstrates that acupuncture helps relieve chronic pain, headaches, fibromyalgia and symptoms of osteoarthritis. It has been shown to alleviate emotional pain syndromes such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Motor Point Therapy
Motor point therapy is an exceptionally effective but not commonly known therapy. It is excellent for treating sports injuries and chronic pain issues. Motor point therapy entails inserting acupuncture needles into muscles near the nerve innervation. These points are often found in the center of the muscle and sometimes coincide with traditional acupuncture points. Stimulating motor points resets muscle spindles affected by trauma.
Electrical Therapies
Electric acupuncture entails using a mild electric current to connect and stimulate acupuncture points. It is particularly good for treating pain, reducing inflammation and calming the nervous system. I also use a handheld electric device that elicits a twitch and release response on tight muscles.
Cupping
Cupping entails uses a suction device on the skin. Cupping can rapidly facilitate blood flow and soft tissue release by stretching the tissue up from underlying muscles. This loosens areas of adhesion and restriction. Cupping can be overdone and should be performed by a qualified practitioner.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine uses various parts of plants and other natural substances. Instead of prescribing based on symptoms alone, practitioners choose herbal formulas that address the underlying causes of disharmony. Often patients notice seemingly unrelated health issues also improve. Chinese herbs are excellent for treating ob/gyn issues, mood disorders, insomnia, acute injuries, skin conditions, respiratory illnesses, digestive distress, fatigue and hepatitis.
Infrared Heat
Infrared heat deeply penetrates muscle tissue, stimulates blood flow, improves injury recovery and decreases pain. For an acute injury or local inflammation, I direct the heat above or below the affected area to aid in blood circulation without the risk of aggravating local inflammation.
Auricular Medicine
Auricular medicine was developed by European physicians and is a complete system of diagnosis and treatment that is separate from Chinese medicine. The ear represents a reflex map of the brain and provides a current read-out of the entire body. Auricular medicine is particularly helpful for reducing pain and calming the sympathetic nervous system. The practitioner may use a variety of methods to stimulate the auricular points such as electric stimulation, acupuncture needles, light therapy or leave-in semi-permanent needles or "seeds".