Acupuncture & traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on an ancient philosophy that describes the universe and the body in terms of two opposing forces: yin and yang. When these forces are in balance, the body is healthy. Energy, called "qi" (pronounced "chee") flows along specific pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang forces balanced. However, if the flow of energy gets blocked, like water getting stuck behind a dam, the disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. Acupuncture therapy can release blocked qi in the body and stimulate function, evoking the body’s natural healing response through various physiological systems. Modern research has demonstrated acupuncture’s effects on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems, cardiovascular system, and digestive system. By stimulating the body’s various systems, acupuncture can help to resolve pain, improve sleep, balance hormones, benefit digestion, and create a sense of well-being.
Acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific acupoints. The most common method used to stimulate acupoints is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation may further enhance the effects. TCM therapy may also include: soft-tissue release techniques, moxibustion or heat therapy, cupping, and the application of topical herbal medicines and liniments.
INITIAL Acupuncture EXAMINATION + Treatment | $150
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Your first Acupuncture & TCM appointment will last approximately an hour for examination and treatment.
During the first part of your session, the practitioner will review your completed health history questionnaire with you, and conduct a physical examination. This examination may include vital signs, physical inspection, pulse assessment, or tongue diagnosis.
You will be educated on all the findings and their significance. Once a diagnosis is determined, a treatment plan will be recommended that best suits your needs, from active care to relieve pain and dysfunction, to maintenance care for well-being and prevention.
Please bring copies of recent imaging or laboratory reports for the practitioner to review.
If your condition(s) are beyond the capabilities of this office, your practitioner will help you with a referral to the appropriate physician.
An itemized billing summary is available upon request. This bill will provide all the information necessary for submission to insurance companies, health savings accounts, or flex spending accounts for potential reimbursement directly back to you.
TCM & Acupuncture TREATMENT | $80
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For ESTABLISHED patients only.
TCM sessions blend therapies based on need & best results. Making acupuncture a regular part of your routine will change your relationship with your body. The goal is for you and your practitioner to work together to take better care of your health, long term.In addition to Acupuncture, a treatment may include modalities such as cupping, gua sha, e-stim or moxibustion.
Acupuncture & TCM Packages are available. $900 when pre-paying for 12 sessions ($60 savings). Valid for 1 year from purchase. Please reach out viaour CONTACT page, email, or by phone (331) 901-5672, for details & to purchase.
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF THE MONTH | Kidney Channel
The new year is here and winter has slowly crept in. Winter is the most Yin time of year, dark, cold and begging for slumber. We are commonly told the New Year is for resolutions and change. Energetically this does not make sense. Winter is a time to slow down and conserve our energy. It is a time to heal. Classic Chinese text say we should only expel our energy on what we absolutely love this time of year.
Winter corresponds to the Kidney channel in Chinese medicine. Kidney energy is the root of all energy in the body. It not only stores energy, but it supplies all other organs with its reserve energy when they are running low. Kidney health is the key to the overall health of the body. It is the only channel that holds both yin and yang energies; night and day, hot and cold, wet and dry. Ideally there is a nice balance between these energies in the body. When there is kidney yang deficiency we have cold signs. These symptoms are cold and painful lower back, knee pain, water retention, cold hands and feet, frequent urination, low libido, increased fears and anxieties, premature greying and fatigue. In Western medicine, the symptoms are often related to thyroid and adrenal fatigue. Kidney yin deficiency is the opposite. Yin symptoms are hot like day and night sweats, dry mouth, dry skin, dry hair, hypertension, ringing in the ears, poor memory, insomnia, and irritability. These symptoms are often associated with menopause. The kidney channel is also in charge of reproduction. It vital in helping conceive and carry out a healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture is a wonderful way to boost fertility for both woman and men.
How do you take care of your kidneys this winter? Keep warm through the season. Wear socks, gloves and a scarf. Take a moment to rub your low back over your kidneys for one minute everyday. Do acupressure on our feet. Kidney 1 is called Gushing Spring, located in the exact center of your foot, stimulates your energy to relieve headaches, hot flashes, insomnia and fatigue. Rub this point on both feet for a few minutes everyday. Eat warm foods like soups, black beans, cinnamon, ginger, and beef. Avoid raw and cold meals and reach for room temperature drinks and food. Take the time to rest. Light exercise like yoga and walking is best. Get regular acupuncture for pain relief, fertility, menopausal symptoms, emotional health, and other kidney channel symptoms.
SINGLE SESSION | $80 | BOOK ONLINE
SERIES OF 4 | $280 | $40 savings - expires in 1 month of purchase | contact Sage to purchase.
*seasonal acupuncture protocols do not require an Initial Exam, however if you decide to continue with TCM acupuncture treatments, an Initial Exam will be required.
Cupping
Cupping is an accessory technique, to acupuncture, that uses small glass cups as suction devices. They are placed on the skin to break up stagnation by drawing congested blood, or other toxins to the surface. Once suctioned, the cups are left in place for 15 minutes while the patient rests.
Sliding Cupping
Slide cupping is a variation of cupping that produces a stronger sensation. Before placing the cups, we apply oil to the skin, which allows us to glide them over the targeted area. This is typically recommended for those with chronic back pain, and for athletes who have regular muscle tension.
Gua sha
Gua sha is an accessory technique, to acupuncture, that involves scraping the skin with a porcelain spoon to reduce muscle tension and pain. It may cause a light “bruising,” like that of cupping. This is not a bruise, however, but rather “sha” which is an indication that the treatment is effective. Gua sha is best for pain in smaller areas of the body, such as the neck and elbows. This treatment is beneficial for those with carpal tunnel syndrome, or those who sit for long periods of time during the day.
Herbal medicine
Herbal formulas are used in conjunction with acupuncture to compound the results, and to restore your body to health. Chinese herbal formulas contain mostly plants. Some of them you are probably familiar with like ginger, mint, mulberry and ginseng. Although Chinese herbs are safe for most, we always consider herb-drug interactions when recommending formulas to patients.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, or moxa, is a warming therapy that uses a Chinese herb to increase circulation and decrease water retention. The moxa is light like an incense and placed near the surface of the skin. Moxa is often used to soothe menstrual cramps and reduce bruising or inflammation from trauma. This is performed in addition to acupuncture, for patients who are applicable.
E-stim
Electric stimulation applies a pulsating electrical current through the acupuncture needles to generate blood flow to certain areas of the body. By stimulating blood flow to injured tissues, we can increase the rate of healing. Electric stimulation is most effective on acute injuries, such as pulled muscles, strains, and sprains.
How To Prepare for your Acupuncture Appointment
Eat within 4 hours of your treatment; make sure you are adequately hydrated, as well.
Refrain from caffeine and alcohol before your treatment.
Wear loose fitting clothing to the treatment. You can also bring clothes to change into.
Provide a copy of any recent lab results that pertain to your condition, or general health.
Also, provide a list of any medications you are currently taking. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a great compliment to allopathic medicine, but it is still important for us to be up to date on any pharmaceuticals, and supplements, that you are taking.
