Treatment

In your treatments we’ll use Oriental medicine, including Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and moxibustion (a localized heat treatment). This form of treatment has been proven effective for many, many conditions, from asthma to women’s (gynecological) issues.

All treatment begins with a proper diagnosis, which takes place during your first visit. We spend a significant amount of time getting a complete medical history profile and a picture of your health and lifestyle. We examine the condition of your tongue (is it cracked, coated, excessively pink? etc.), and check your pulse on both wrists (the quality of your pulse gives information about possible imbalances). We’ll also ask questions about your emotional state, and specific symptoms you may have. This is done because we treat the whole person. Instead of merely focusing on the symptoms of your condition, we treat the underlying cause of those symptoms.

The first visit begins with the diagnosis phase which can last from an hour to an hour and a half. Then you will receive an acupuncture treatment lasting another 30-60 minute totalling almost 2 hours. Your subsequent visits will be much faster - usually an hour long. We’ll make a short review of your progress followed by an acupuncture treatment.

Typically acupuncture treatments are given once a week If the condition is acute and painful, treatments may be given 2 or 3 times per week for the initial few weeks or until the condition starts to come under control. The exact duration of treatment depends on the condition, your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture.

Most often, we also prescribe an herbal formula to assist and support your progress during the week until your next appointment. Herbs are always prescribed in a balanced formula, where the combination of herbs have supporting effects to make gentle changes in the balance of your whole body. Thousands of years of use and research have shown that Chinese herbal formulas are far more effective than large doses of a single substance. Herbal formula’s are given in a few different ways. Raw herbs like the ones seen here, are placed in water and boiled down to make a tea.

Another form is concentrated granules which come in individually sealed foil sachets. The sachets are opened and the herbs placed in a cup of hot water and half is taken in the morning and the other half in the evening.

Powdered formulas are also used and can be taken directly with a spoon or we can have them encapsulated for ease of administration. All herbal formulas are customized to your individual needs and shipped directly from the company to insure freshness of product. This provides a fresh formula for you each and every order. The companies used all have strict requirements to insure patient safety.