Specialties

​It is mainstream, that acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective in reducing Chronic pain. Our bodies are in constant communication with our nervous system and by experiencing pain, it alarms our bodies that something is out of balance. Acupuncture and herbal medicine bring back the natural flow of Qi (energy in our meridians) and consequently stop the pain. In the case of chronic conditions, I start with a thorough assessment and patient history to learn more about the intricacies of my patient’s symptoms. There are many techniques and one of my most prescribed is auricular medicine. Auricular (ear) acupuncture is one of the more widely used microsystems within eastern and western medicine. The external ear resembles an inverted fetus and it provides a map for the practitioner to stimulate the points required for each specific acupuncture treatment. Very small needles are placed in specific points on the external ear and for most people ear needles tend to relax and work well with stress, trauma and a variety of internal organ related conditions.

 

Balancing the flow of Qi in our meridians (channels) with a few treatments will decrease inflammation and soothe pain. Also, a combination of Craniosacral therapy (body work) and herbal medicine reinforce the treatments to achieve positive change.

 

Part of this journey is to learn more about our bodies and decipher what they are telling us. Let me be your guide in discovering what works for a change of mind, body and spirit.

​Shonishin, a style of pediatric acupuncture, is a non-invasive form of acupuncture for infant and children. Needles are not needed because the Qi (energy flow) of children is so easy to access. Instead of needle we use small tools to touch and stimulate precise points and meridians by tapping or brushing.

Because the Qi of children can be easily disturbed as it is easily accessed. That is why regular Shonishin treatments are so effective for children’s chronic conditions and a preventative tool for healthy happy child. This technique helps strengthen the child’s constitutional make up and immune system to maintain a balanced floe of energy therefore good health.

 

Adolescents that experience stress and malaise from unexplained causes can be treated with acupuncture, shonishin and/or herbal medicine to return their hormonal imbalances back to homeostasis. The pandemic times have been particularly detrimental for the socio-emotional wellness of children and adolescents.

A natural approach to health is an essential tool to wellbeing.

 

Conditions treated:

Weak constitution and immune system

Digestive health, GERD

Behavioral issues: focus, ADHD, hyperactivity

Night terrors and sleep issues

Skin disorders

Bedwetting

 

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​Stress, anxiety or depression interrupts the flow of energy (Qi) in the body. Eastern medicine believes that energy flows through our body as a “highway system” or channel/meridian pathway. So, we can look at stress as a “traffic jam”, by blocking the natural flow of Qi throughout the body. In a highway, when there is a roadblock, it eventually will affect other areas. This is true with stress as well, which may affect many other parts of the body like our glands (hormonal imbalances), digestion, blood circulation, reproductive health, sleep, mood, and mental state.

 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to ease stress by releasing endorphins, which are natural neuro-chemicals. It also increases circulation of blood throughout the body almost as if we had a “mini workout “for our internal organs. The calming nature of acupuncture therefore decreases stress. At my practice, the experience of acupuncture is quite relaxing. After the needles are in, you are able to lie quietly on a comfortable table, soft music and aromatherapy. In many cases, I also adjust the treatment and add Craniosacral therapy.

One of the most common ways trauma is manifested is chaotic emotions such as fear, anxiety, rage, guilt, and shame. In addition to trauma’s effect on emotions, traumatic experiences are stored in the tissues of the body as tightness or pain. Physical and emotional trauma can affect the mind, causing difficulty concentrating, remembering, or thinking clearly. Some people who have experienced trauma may not consciously remember the trauma, but their bodies do. 

One of the major benefits of Acupuncture for emotional trauma is it helps shift the autonomic nervous system, regulating the body's unconscious actions, out of sympathetic nervous system (“fight, flight, or freeze” response) into parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” mode). Acupuncture provides amazing relief from the assault of stress hormones, allowing the body to rest and begin the process of healing.

Auricular medicine is an effective method that bridges western and eastern practices to create a more sustainable long-lasting change in our perceptions, thoughts, emotions and therefore behaviors.

In order to design an effective therapeutic approach, it is important to listen thoroughly to the intricacies of each patient. Women’s health is complex and can be greatly affected by hormonal imbalances which can impact your quality of life at all stages, from pre-teen to post-menopause. A combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine are a proven way to balance hormones without taxing other organs with side effects.

 

My approach is to look deeper and get to the root of the symptom. Get your body back into its natural rhythm and flow, so you no longer have to experience painful periods, night sweats, hot flashes or mood swings. Promoting a regular menstrual cycle at ease, or menopause without synthetic medications or invasive procedures. This approach take time as we work with cycles in your body, hormonal imbalances require time to heal.

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.  It is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

Migraine Headaches

Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Motor-Coordination Impairments

Colic

Central Nervous System Disorders

Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Scoliosis

Infantile Disorders

Learning Disabilities

Emotional Difficulties

Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

Immune Disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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