Modern Problems
Modern life, including diet, the environment, hectic lifestyle, unresolved issues and emotions, constantly challenges and throws us out of balance, causing stress, loss of energy, pain, and disease. All of these are obstacles to achieving happiness.
Ancient Solutions
Oriental Medicine, including Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Massage and Medical Qigong Treatment and Qigong Exercise ,is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical tradition up to 4000 years old. Until the recent twentieth century, much of the population of the world was uninformed about acupuncture, its origins, and its capacity to promote and maintain good health. But today, it has reached most parts of the globe and, over the past two decades, has grown in popularity in the United States.
Healing from Within
Oriental Medicine works with the natural, vital energies inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. It provides natural methods of preventing and treating a wide variety of physical and emotional problems, as well as slowing the aging process and can complement western medical treatment.
A Part of Modern Healthcare
As more research from around the world is published, and our understanding of its mechanism and benefits increases, Oriental Medicine has become increasingly accepted in the Western medical community and has become a part of a integrated system of healthcare.
Questions and Answers About Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Oriental Medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical tradition of over 4000 years. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage and exercise (qigong). These therapies work with the natural vital energies inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. This system of health care is has reached most parts of the globe and over the past two decades it has grown in popularity in the United States.
As more research from around the world is published, and our understanding of its mechanism and benefits increases it has become increasingly accepted in the Western medical community as well and has become a part of a integrated system of healthcare.
How does it work?
Oriental Medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy behind all life forms and life process. They called this energy “Qi” (pronounced chee). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, the ancient physicians discovered a system of cyclic energy flowing in the human body along specific pathways. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ.
Disease is considered to arise because of deficiency, imbalance or blockage of vital energy in the energetic pathways and their associated physiological systems. The pathways or meridians of energy communicate with the surface the body at specific locations called acupuncture points (acupoints). Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.
Oriental medicine has also developed methods of determining the flow in the meridian system, using an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis. Findings from these tests are combined with other signs and symptoms to create a composite diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.
Acupuncture treatments are used to either clear away an excess of energy which creates stagnation or to tonify and build up energy where there is a deficiency. Due to the metaphysical nature of energy (known as Qi in Chinese Medicine), acupuncture also affects humans on a subtle level. In other words, it can calm the mind, harmonize the emotions and nourish the spirit.
What progress can I expect if treated?
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and herbs; however, some conditions which have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient’s attitude, diet, determination and life style will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Oriental Medicine is also an educational process in which the patient becomes more aware of his or her own body, thus increasing its ability to maintain well-being.
Although there are techniques in Oriental Medicine for healing most conditions, there are medical circumstances which can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend that you contact a physician. As is the case in China, acupuncture should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.
What does Acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture is a safe medical procedure, well known for its efficacy and lack of side effects when administered by a qualified practitioner. Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure.
Acupuncture needles are hundreds of times smaller than hypodermic needles we see at a doctor’s office. They are very firm and flexible, about the diameter of a thick hair and come in pre-sterilized, disposable packages. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed with a minimum of discomfort, just a little prick as it goes throught the skin. Once inserted, the patient can feel his or her energy and blood move to the needle. This may be experienced as a distending sensation, dull ache, heaviness, numbness, tingling or a deep massaging of the surrounding tissues.
Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during the treatments. In some cases, it is not necessary to use needles at all.
Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbalism, the use of plant, animal and mineral parts for healing, dates back thousands of years, when in ancient China, herbs were used to address a wide range of diseases and disorders. The practice of Chinese herbology is a precise science that represents a powerful healing tradition. There are 500 individual herbs used in Chinese Herbal Medicine. These single herbs are rarely used alone. Instead they are combined with other herbs into formulas consisting of two or more herbs. It is the careful combination of herbs that produces the desired effect for an individual patient. Ancient Chinese herbal formulas are as effective now as they were thousands of years ago. They treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body's natural healing process.
An herbal treatment begins with an Oriental evaluation of the patient to diagnose imbalances, followed by an individualized prescription of herbs which is reassessed and readjusted at regular intervals. Teas or decoctions prepared by cooking the raw herbs or individually prepared powdered formulas allow the most individualized prescription. Modern techniques allow several simpler methods, including pills, capsules, granules, tinctures, or topicals making them easy and convenient to take and accessible to a wider audience.
What can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine treat?
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used to treat and cure a wide variety of health problems, including:
Allergies, Anxiety, Arthritis & Joint Pain, Asthma, Back Pain, Bronchitis, Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel, Chronic Fatigue, Circulation problems, Colitis, Common Cold & Flu, Constipation, Crohn’s Disease, Depression, Facial Rejuvenation, Fibromyalgia, ADD/ADHD, Gastro-Intestinal Disorders, Genito-Urinary Conditions, Headache & Migraine, Insomnia, Infertility, Irritable Bowel, Hypertension, Hepatitis, Hip Pain, Leg pain, Liver Disease, Menopause, Menstrual Disorders, Neck Pain, PMS, Sciatica, Shoulder Pain, Sinusitis, Sports Injuries, Stop Smoking, Stroke & Paralysis, Substance Abuse, Tendonitis, Weight Loss, and more...
Acupuncture/TCM at PEACE
$80.00/One Hour Treatment
$110.00/90 Minute Treatment
Note: Please plan on a 90 Minute session for your first appointment, to allow time for interview and diagnosis.