Services
acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that has been used for over 2,000 years. It involves the insertion of very fine hair thin, sterilized, disposable needles into acupuncture points on the body. In Chinese Medicine the body contains meridians or pathways that contain Qi, Qi is a vital life force that flows through our bodies.
When our Qi is balanced and flowing smoothly we are in good health. It is when our Qi gets stuck or we become deficient in Qi that we may start to see certain health issues manifest such as pain and or physical and emotional disharmonies. When this imbalance occurs the acupuncture needles then activate particular acupuncture points based on an individuals unique needs to bring the Qi back to health and harmony, allowing the body to heal itself. Acupuncture is also used as a wonderful preventative medicine, if your feeling great already acupuncture can be used to keep your body healthy and strong.
Cupping
Cupping or Fire Cupping is an ancient method of healing used for thousands of years in ancient China and around the world.
Cupping is used to release any excess or stuck energy in the body that could be causing a disharmony. Cupping can be used to treat a variety of health conditions ranging from the common cold to musculoskeletal pain.
Birth Doula
A Doula provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to someone before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. As your Doula I provide unique care with the combination of birth support and Acupuncture. I like to call myself an Acu-Doula.
Auricular Therapy
Within the ear there are dozens of acupuncture points that represent specific areas and functions of the body. This creates a microsystem that reflects our health and that can be used for treatment; ear acupuncture can be an addition to whole body acupuncture or as a treatment on its own.
The spectrum of conditions treated with ear acupuncture is broad. Many studies have shown it is an effective treatment for weight loss, PTSD, menstrual pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and stress, and many other conditions. Most of the time, you will be going home with an ear seed, or pellet that will stimulate the “points’.
Tuina Massage
Tuina massage (pronounced “twee-nah”) is a therapeutic form of Asian bodywork used to address musculoskeletal conditions. This is a firm pressure targeted therapy that addresses specific regions of the body, rather than a full body massage.
moxibustion
Moxa is one of the oldest healing technique used in Chinese Medicine dating back thousands of years. Moxa is the Chinese Herb Ai Ye commonly known as Mugwort.
Moxa is commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments and is a form of fire heat that when placed over acupuncture points creates a stimulating healing effect. The heat is created by burning the mugwort leaves and applying it directly or indirectly over the body. People commonly report moxibustion to be very soothing and relaxing. Moxa is commonly used for Breech presentation.
gua sha
Gua Sha is very similar to Cupping in its effects and is also an ancient healing technique.
Gua Sha consists of the practitioner using a special gua sha tool or spoon to rub the skin in order to release any excess or stagnation in the body that could be causing pain or disharmony.
Treatments
traditional chinese medicine
Women’s Health
Acupuncture has been used for the treatment and preservation of women’s health for centuries. A woman’s monthly cycle is a very significant and clear manifestation of her body’s inner workings and rhythms. If there is disharmony, the body will show it and general health and wellbeing will be suboptimal.
COMMON SYMPTOMS TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE:
- PMS/PMDD
- Menstrual cramps and painful periods
- Low back pain
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Hormone imbalances
- Yeast infections
- Bladder infections
- Absence of a period
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
- Pregnancy / Postpartum
SOME OF THE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS THAT ARE EFFECTIVELY TREATED BY TCM INCLUDE:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Poor concentration and memory
- Emotional difficulty
- Menstrual irregularities; heavy periods, frequent spotting
- Low libido and vaginal dryness
traditional chinese medicine
Fertility
As your Acupuncturist, I’m here to walk alongside you on your fertility journey. Women and their partners come to my practice at all different stages of their family building process. Whether you have just begun to think about conceiving or you’ve been trying for many years, I have worked with someone just like you. It is recommended that you begin fertility support as soon as possible, whether you are hoping to become pregnant now, or within the next few years. A healthy body and good egg quality is obviously key to having a healthy baby and for this reason it is widely recommended to nourish oneself for 3 months prior to conceiving because this is the amount of time an egg needs to mature, ovulate, fertilize, implant to finally make a baby.
ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE TREAT AND SUPPORT A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS RELATED TO INFERTILITY INCLUDING:
- Anovulation (no ovulation)
- Amenorrhea (no period)
- Egg quality
- Diminished ovarian reserve (high FSH/low AMH)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Advanced maternal age
- Luteal phase defect
- Menstrual irregularities and discomforts (pain, PMS, etc)
- Male factor issues (sperm count, motility, morphology)
- PCOS – Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Unexplained infertility
traditional chinese medicine
Pregnancy
Acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment option for women to manage their health concerns and complaints while pregnant. It’s such a joy for me to support women through the miracle of pregnancy and to support you through the many physical and emotional changes that occur with confidence and care.
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED DURING 1ST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
- Morning Sickness
- Frequent Urination
- Fatigue
- Miscarriage prevention
- Colds and sinus congestion
- Digestion irregularities
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED DURING 2ND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Sciatica
- Heartburn
- Varicose veins
- Hemorrhoids
- Preeclampsia
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED DURING 3RD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
- Edema
- Back pain
- Insomnia
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Muscle cramps
- Breech presentation
- Delayed labor
A New Zealand study published in 2006 found that women who received weekly acupuncture in the 4 weeks prior to birth had a:
- A 35% reduction in the number of medical inductions
- A 31% reduction in epidural use
- A 32% reduction in emergency C-section rate
- A 9% increase in normal vaginal births
traditional chinese medicine
Post-Patrum
After giving birth, the body goes through many hormonal changes that can manifest both physically and emotionally. Acupuncture can help moderate these hormonal changes, smooth this transition and help the woman recover. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help speed recovery and stabilize the mood and increase milk supply.
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED DURING POSTPARTUM RECOVERY:
- Body aches and pains
- Constipation
- C-Section scar recovery
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Hemorrhoids
- Healing from incisions
- Insufficient lactation
- Mastitis
- Persistent Lochia
- Sweating
- Urinary Difficulty
traditional chinese medicine
General Wellness
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED FOR GENERAL WELLNESS: