Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used forms of medicine in the world. Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, acupuncture is currently one of the most thoroughly researched, practiced, and respected forms of complementary medicine available anywhere. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, your overall health is determined by the quality of the Qi (energy) flow through the natural pathways of your body (meridians). Acupuncture uses a variety of techniques, including placing very thin sterile needles into specific points on the body, to stimulate and improve your Qi flow. The many benefits of acupuncture include:
Pain reduction
Stress and tension relief
Increased energy levels
Stronger digestion
Relief from bad habits and addictions
Greater sense of overall health and well-being
But what you really want to know is does it hurt? NO. Do you feel it? Yes. It’s a weird sensation, that's hard to describe. You’ll notice the needles but it does not feel like getting a shot or tattoo. What if you’re scared of needles? The needles are sterile and extremely thin. And… you don’t have to look at them! You just lay back, breathe and relax. I’ve found people who are the most scared of needles relax more than those who aren’t. It may seem odd that sticking needles in your body can improve your health, but once you feel the difference, you'll be a believer! This medicine has been treating people on nearly every continent for close to 3,000 years and healing them, as opposed to Western medicine’s 100 years which usually adds more side-effects than cures. The proof is in every individual’s experiences of health and wellness for nearly 3,000 years. When you come in, we’ll have a more detailed discussion on the specifics as to why acupuncture works. The information is too vast. You're here to get healed, not read a book!
Chinese herbal medicine is a 2,500 year old tradition using naturally occurring substances — including herbs — to enhance one's health and vitality. As opposed to Western medicine, the foundation of this approach is to support the body's natural self-healing mechanisms and abilities.
Since each patient has different needs, I carefully select and combine a variety of herbs that will synergistically blend together to achieve optimal results for your unique situation. I prescribe high-quality, professional-grade herbal medicines that are available only to qualified licensed professionals.
Cupping has been a part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It relieves aches and pains, improves circulation, and also helps with respiratory and digestive issues among many other conditions. A specialized "cup" is placed onto specific points on your body, and then suction is used to draw your skin up into the cups. It doesn't hurt — it simply draws fresh blood to that area of your body, which facilitates the cleansing and strengthening of your Qi (energy). The end result is a greater overall sense of health and well-being and pain reduction.
Electroacupuncture is an augmentation of traditional acupuncture that is a highly effective holistic treatment for pain, nausea, and chronic ailments. Using the exact same system of Chinese Medicine, very thin sterile needles are inserted into specific points along the meridians of your body. A TENS unit is then attached to the needles delivering gentle electrical pulses between the two points. This helps restore the healthy flow of Qi (energy) through your body, removing any blockages and clearing out stagnant areas, thus creating a stronger and clearer experience.
Although Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique used by Chinese Medicine practitioners for thousands of years, it is relatively unknown in the West. It is recognized throughout Asia as a highly effective treatment for chronic pain conditions, stress, fatigue, and a host of other ailments.
First, Gua Sha oil is applied to a specific meridian (energy pathway) on your body. Then a smooth, round-edged object (such as a spoon) is used to apply short brisk strokes to the area. This creates red patches of skin (called "Sha"), detoxifying your blood and restoring the healthy flow if Qi (energy) to the area. There is no pain involved, and the Sha will fade in 2 to 3 days. But the sense of health and healing you experience from it will last much longer.
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the burning of moxa made from dried mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing and health. Moxibustion has been used for healing purposes throughout Asia for thousands of years. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi (energy), warm and help improve health. It is an especially effective technique in the treatment of various types of arthritis.
Among other benefits, a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that 75.4% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the bladder meridian.
Reiki is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki is not just for physical healing but can help with the whole body, the mind, with spiritual development, with emotional trauma/release and a deeper connection with the bodies energies.
It is a hands on technique that promotes the flow of energy through the body. During a treatment the patient remains fully clothed and the practitioner will use light to no touch at all, with their hands just hovering above the body. A treatment can last 15 to 60 minutes. Patients often feel warm, cold or tingling sensations. It is generally perceived as a relaxing, peaceful and soothing experience.
Some other descriptions of what Reiki is are:
The pulsing electricity of this universe, this solar system, our physical, mental & emotional bodies and this Earth. Similar to a battery charger boosting the electrical system of the body.
Our ability to connect with the rhythmic intelligence of our universe in a more conscious way.
NOT affiliated with any type of religious belief.
Heightens the ability for one human being to connect with another in the deepest of way.
A complimentary technique that will enhance any medical treatment. It does not take the place of Western medicine but is part of the whole.
An immediate healing process for our animals, our homes, our work, our plants, our food.
Energy that heals the healer.
Limitless in use because it is the flow of life energy itself.
In my practice I use therapeutic-grade essential oils to help deepen and enhance your treatment. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Well preserved oils where even found in King Tut’s tomb. Molecularly, they are very small so they quickly penetrate the skin delivering the regenerating, oxygenating and immune strengthening properties of plants. Essential oils contain molecules of oxygen that help to transport nutrients to the body’s various cells. Essential oils are powerful antioxidants, antibacterials, antifungals, antimicrobials, antivirus, antiparasitic and antiseptic. They detoxify the cells in the body and blood promoting emotional, physical and spiritual healing.
One of the most common questions that patients ask about Chinese Medicine is: "Why does my practitioner check my pulse/look at my tongue?" Tongue and pulse diagnosis are actually two of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques we use in Chinese Medicine. Through feeling and evaluating your pulse, observing the appearance of the tongue, I can better obtain an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution, Qi (energy) flow, and internal organ health, among other things. I then synthesize all of this information into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
You've probably realized there's not a lot of options for male-focused alternative medicine. After starting Whole Health Acupuncture, I started realizing this myself. This became my specialization and now I've created a whole website specifically on men's health, Men's Health Acupuncture. I've added a link at the bottom of the page.