Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used forms of medicine in the world. Originating in China more than 2,500 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.
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing and health. The effects of moxibustion last for hours after treatment in response to heat stimulation.
Cupping is a negative pressure massage that uses suction to move blood and stretch connective tissue. It is used successfully to treat chronic pain.
Trigger point therapy also known as Dry Needle Technique that focuses on stimulating and releasing “trigger points” in your body. Trigger points are tender areas of tension similar to acupressure points; these ‘knots’ are built up throughout a person’s life due to physical or mental stress. This type of needling technique can be quite painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly trans formative.
Injection Therapy uses a solution of saline and an analgesic, either lidocaine or procaine injected into trigger point areas of pain, scars, and contracted muscle tissue. The saline solution may also contain nutrients and injectable herbal solutions for the treatment of pain.
The benefits of using Traditional Chinese medicine incorporate proven modern medical techniques and foundations of TCM - acupuncture, injection therapy, negative pressure massage, specialized herbal formulas, functional medicine, and nutritional therapy for the benefit of:
regulating the menstrual cycle
invigorating and raising low sperm count and increasing motility
helping hormonal balancing
eliminating immune system incompatibilities
easing tubal obstructions
relieving stress-related dysfunction
reversing ejaculatory defects and erectile dysfunction
The Prevalence and Impact of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a widespread condition, affecting approximately 20-25% of both women and men in the United States. This condition often leads to decreased participation in daily, work, and recreational activities due to symptoms like lower back pain, abdominal discomfort, incontinence, and prolapse, which significantly impact quality of life and mental health.
Common but Treatable
While PFD is common, it is important to understand that these dysfunctions are not a normal part of aging, the post-procedural process, or postpartum recovery. They are indeed common, but also highly treatable. Our role as clinicians is to educate and empower our patients to seek treatment and improve their quality of life.
Transforming Clinical Outcomes
The application of dry needling has profoundly enhanced clinical outcomes, helping patients achieve a more balanced resting tone and optimal motor recruitment. It is a vital part of our therapeutic arsenal, transforming lives by re-establishing ideal function.
Read more about pelvic floor dry needling
A therapeutic lifestyle is a modern term that follows the fundamental tenet of Traditional Chinese Medicine that states 'first and foremost, look to the food and living habits before prescribing any other treatment.' It means making choices everyday that will enhance health and help prevent disease. Quality foods, gentle movement/exercise, restorative sleep, avoidance of toxins and stress management are all significantly in our personal control.
Modern scientific research, confirming centuries of TCM wisdom, now demonstrates that many chronic diseases are largely caused by lifestyle choices and habits. A therapeutic lifestyle program is now recommended by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other leading health organizations as a primary therapy for individuals with heart disease, elevated triglycerides or cholesterol, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, plus many other conditions.
Weight loss is medically supervised and utilizes advanced nutritional products. These products work by repairing the digestive system and eliminating toxins from the liver. An Organic Acid Test is necessary for beginning to determine underlying issues and to accurately assess the body's needs. This can be completed independently. Patients are also asked to complete a metabolic assessment, as each program is tailored to the individual and takes into consideration lifestyle and health issues. Highlights include:
Eating a healthy cleansing diet and learning to plan menus.
Education on nutrition, health and maintenance of new lifestyle.
A system for keeping track of changes and taking charge of personal health.
Chinese herbal medicine is a 2,000 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.
Cytokine therapy is a new medicine that uses signaling molecules to program, repair or override destructive mechanisms of disease. Cytokines are produced by the body and work by telling cells where in the body to go and how to function. Disease processes can prevent this communication, causing an overabundance of the inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the healing cytokines. I use GUNA interleukins and formulas for cytokine therapy. The cytokines delivered orally contain the same molecules that our bodies naturally produce. In some cases, compounded cytokines can be used topically as an analgesic for pain relief.