Chinese Medicine

What Is Acupuncture?

“Needling therapy activates complex defensive mechanisms in the body, involving the immune system, tissue reactions, blood vessels, sensory nerves, somato-visceral pathways, autonomic nervous system (ANS), central nervous system (CNS), brain and endocrine glands.” – D. Kendall

• Acupuncture is also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a powerful, natural 4,000 years old medical system.
• It is rooted in empirical, evidenced based practices, and inspired by a holistic approach to life. At its core, it states that all living organisms are inter-dependent of each other and regulated cycles of life.
• It treats physical, organic diseases, as well as emotional imbalances; and it always considers the relationship between body, mind and emotions. In this way, it never separates the influence of the environment, emotions and mind on the health of a person.

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Needles & More

• Sometimes needles are connected to a micro-current. This form of treatment is referred to as Electro-Acupuncture. A very efficient technique often use in cases of inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Cupping, the placing of cups on the skin while the oxygen is sucked out of the cup, is highly effective when there is serious inflammation and/or toxicity in the body, as well as for muscle spasms.
• Cupping allows to bring new oxygenated and nutrient filled blood through the tissues; therefore increasing blood flow and circulation to areas where there is blood stagnation.

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Herbal Supplements

“The complex of symptoms and signs in a patient’s presentation may often be contradictory (making it very difficult to identify the root problems of the symptoms). The tongue body and coating colors are relatively unaffected by short-term events or recent changes… making it one of the most useful gauge for monitoring the improvements or decline of the patient’s condition.”  – Giovanni Maciocia, Acupuncturist & Prolific Author.

• Chinese herbs are comprised of roots, barks, twigs, leaves, flowers, spices, peels, etc. and sometimes of mineral and shells.
• Herbs are classified in broad categories: release exterior pathogens, warm the interior, sedate excesses, cool down  excess heat, astringe, tonify, move Qi-blood-yin-or-yang, calm the mind, transform dampness-or-phlegm, relieve coughing & wheezing, move and expel food stagnation, etc.
• Each herb is known for its very specific medicinal effects and functions, target organ(s), temperature, taste, etc.

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Conditions Treated

Because of my work as a psychotherapist, I specialize in treating conditions that are affected by stress and emotional conditions. In that regard I treat:

• Digestive System: Abdominal, epigastric & hypochondriac pains or bloating, indigestion, lack of appetite, excessive appetite, malabsorption of nutrients.
• Emotional & Mental: Insomnia, hypersomnia, forgetfulness, poor memory, melancholia, dysthymia, depression, apathy, stress, anxiety, excessive anger, nervousness, panic attacks, obsessive thinking, sensation of lump in the throat, etc. PLEASE note that in many instances psycho-emotional work (psychotherapy) may be needed to address the deeper underlying causes of these symptoms.

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What To Expect

How are diagnoses made?

Because Chinese medicine is an integral, it considers all aspects of our lives — emotional and mental life, exercise, stress level, quality of diet and lifestyle, etc. — when making an energetic diagnosis, I ask a lot of questions. I want and need to know what aspects of your life may contribute to the symptoms you are having. When the symptoms begin? What was going on in your life at the time? What influences may have contributed to your current condition? Those, are all important questions to address, so that we can treat the root of the symptoms, not just the branches that are affected. As the list of symptoms and their etiology  guide towards making a diagnosis, other important tests and observations — such as tongue and pulse assessments — help confirm the proper energetic diagnosis.

How long is the initial & the following sessions?

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