Traditional Oriental Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine

The Chinese Herbal Medicine pharmacopeia lists many thousands of different medicinal substances. Common substances you might recognize are things like Ginseng, Cinnamon Twig, Honey, Milk Vetch Root, Licorice Root, Ginger, Mint, and Goji Berries. Less commonly known herbs are ones like Dried Bamboo Sap, Lotus Seeds, Turtle Shell, Dear Antler, Platycodon.

As one of the oldest herbal medicine systems in the world, the healing properties of these medicinal substances have been studied and safely used for hundreds upon hundreds of years. More than 500 herbs are commonly used today in the practice of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Between 2 and15 medicinal substances are combined in a formula to facilitate the unique therapeutic goals of each patient. A wonderful part of Chinese Herbal Medicine is that it can be customized to your unique health needs!

Herbal Medicine Testimonial

Besides customized bulk herbal teas, granules, and tinctures, there are other forms of herbal preparations which are standardized and quite convenient.; herbal tablets and pills, plasters, tinctures, syrups, and highly concentrated granules.

In my practice I use herbs and herbal products bought from reputable companies who screen their herbs for biological or chemical contamination. Some of these companies are: 

Adjunct Therapies

Additional treatment modalities utilized in my practice include:

Acupressure: applied pressure to acu-points for relaxation, pain, and for patients who would not like needles. Acupressure has virtually the same therapeutic effects as acupuncture.

Cupping: is the use of glass jars to provide suction therapy over the skin, soft-tissue and meridians. It is an indicated therapy for colds, coughs, pain, injury, and organ system dysfunction. warming acu-points, meridians, and organs. Moxa strengthens the Qi and Yang of the body, promotes circulation of static blood and assists with soft-tissue, sinew, and bone healing.

Shoni Shin & Pediatric Tui Na: two traditional systems for treating children who are not ready for acupuncture therapy. They involve massage techniques and the application of small healing tools that stimulate the acu-points, meridians, and organ systems of the body. They are based in traditional Chinese & Japanese medical theory.

Electric-Magnetic Acupuncture: mechanical or magnetic devices that promote further healing.

Gua Sha: firm rubbing of areas like the neck and shoulder with a rounded tool to promote the healing of pain, stiffness and to increase range of motion.

Ear Acupuncture: involves the use of needs, seeds or tacks on specific locations of the ear to stabilize the energetic body systems during a time of physiologic and psychologic transition.

Qigong

Qigong is an ancient exercise practice that enhances the health of the body through the cultivation of Qi, vital substance of the body, and by Rooting the Mind. Like a standing meditation with gentle and harmonious movements, a Qigong practice can support the deep circulation of the body’s Qi . The oldest teachers of Qigong are the life forms of the earth: water, plants, trees, birds, animals, the wind, and the mountains. Practicing Qigong is highly recommended. I teach my patients Qigong exercises to support their health and in the summertime I offer a weekly Qigong course at the local park.