Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Your treatment involves looking at your body as a whole, taking into account both your physical and psychological aspects. Symptoms are not picked apart and considered individually rather, each symptom is looked at in relation to all other presenting symptoms. Your entire constitution as well as diet and lifestyle is assessed in order to establish what is called a "pattern of disharmony". The goal of the treatment is to bring balance and to restore harmony for your body as a whole. With this in mind we can understand that TCM can be used to treat just about any condition.

Number of Treatments
The number and frequency of treatments vary according to your condition. Some acute conditions can be cleared up in a single treatment. Chronic problems may require a series of treatments. A degenerative condition could require many treatments over a long period of time.

Treatment Plan
After your initial examination and first treatment, I'll prepare a treatment plan. Naturally, I will discuss with you the nature of your problem and the treatment plan that I'm recommending. Your treatment may include one or more or a combination of the following: Acupuncture, herbs, Diet/Nutrition and Non-Needle Alternatives/ or just alternative therapy.

Acupuncture
Generally patients receive acupuncture once a week or maybe more depending on the treatment plan. Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles in selected acupuncture points that would specifically treat your pattern of disharmony. These points are located on different parts of the body. Throughout each treatment, constant attention to your comfort is provided. Treatments aim at working with your body's Qi(energy) to resolve, correct and restore balance. Treatments are relaxing, and highly rejuvenating. You will find immediate improvements in many aspects of your health such as the ability to sleep well and manage stress better.

Herbs
Chinese Herbal Medicine is my passion and one of the instrumental modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Most treatment plans for my patients include taking herbs. I understand that you may know very little about Chinese herbs or the fact that it is a natural science. With pleasure, I introduce and inform my patients about herbs and address their questions remove or add concerns.

Herbal formulas are designed and prescribed on individual basis specific to each patient’s diagnosis. Herbal formulas are prescribed in two forms: Vacuum Pack decoctions or powder granules. Formulas are sent to you directly from the herbal pharmacy or you may pick them up at your convenience.

Diet/Nutrition/Exercice
"Let your food be your medicine." Hippocrates (460-370 BC)

What, When and in what form you eat your food impacts your whole being. You may think that you are eating healthy but it might be that you are eating totally wrong foods for your current condition or your general constitution. Once these nutritional matters are brought to your attention and how they may be affecting you, you can incorporate some changes and observe the results in your entire system: mind, body and spirit.

In order to gain energy, we must move our energy. As human beings we are emotional, exercise moves our emotions and allows our body and spirit to process our emotions in beneficial ways. Physical Exercise does not mean running six miles a day or weight training or following the fads of the city. Together we can determine the level of exercise that is appropriate for you, and discuss many different forms of exercise that would help move your Qi (energy).

The Needles
In my practice I choose to use very fine Japanese needles that are made of surgical stainless steel. These needles are known to have a smooth insertion and are sterile, individually wrapped and disposable. My treatments tend to be both gentle and subtle, enabling most patients to fall asleep or at least fall into deep relaxation. Acupuncture is a safe method of treatment for nearly everyone, including pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Non-Needle Alternatives
There are several alternate methods to supplement treatment when I feel that needles are not an option. These methods may be Acupressure, Chinese bodywork (Tui Na), Cupping and Moxabustion.

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