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• Practitioners
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• Acupuncture
• Chiropratic
• Counseling
• Herbal Medicine
• Maternity Massage
• Therapeutic Massage

Chinese Medicine can successfully treat a wide variety of conditions of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, integumentary (skin), urinary, and reproductive systems. It is also effective for pain of all kinds and emotional imbalances. It can treat conditions that have not responded to other treatments or when test results have proven inconclusive. It can be used as an alternative to surgery and to help you reduce the dosage and number of medications that you take.

Treatments usually last about an hour. They begin with a thorough health history, followed by tongue and pulse analysis, two traditional Chinese methods of diagnosis. Other methods of diagnosis may include palpation on the limbs, abdominal palpation, or facial diagnosis.

Needles used are surgical grade stainless steel and are used only once. Acupuncture needles are not at all like the hypodermics used to give vaccinations or draw blood; they are solid, not hollow, and hair-thin. Though it is common for people not to feel the needles when they are inserted, the most typical sensation is a tiny prick. Once the needles are in, you may feel various sensations around the points, such as warmth, tingling, or soreness. The needles are usually retained for 20 to 30 minutes. The average number of needles used is about ten, fewer for children and the elderly. Treatments are very restful and some patients even fall asleep.

Afterwards, patients typically feel relaxed and energized. Other therapies that might be utilized during a treatment are acupressure (applying manual pressure to the acupuncture points), electrical stimulation (attaching electrodes to inserted needles), cupping (glass orbs that are suctioned to the skin to loosen the muscles), moxibustion (warming acupuncture points indirectly with smoldering herbs), tui na (chinese medical massage), liniments (medicated massage oils), plasters (herbal patches), and herbal medicine. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations are also offered.

It is helpful to wear loose clothing to your treatments. This way the acupuncture points can be easily accessed and the patient can usually remain comfortably clothed. It is advisable to eat something light an hour or two before your treatment, especially if it is in the morning. Treatments are more effective if you are neither too hungry or too full. It is also advisable to avoid doing anything strenuous or very physical any time on the day of your treatment. You may feel sleepier than usual on the day of your treatment. If so, we recommend going to bed earlier and generally taking it easy.

The initial appointment last about 40 minutes. First the chiropractor thoroughly discusses with the patient what their concerns are. After that, a physical evaluation is made using various techniques to determine the cause of the problem. The remainder of the time is spent doing adjustments and physical manipulations. The two main methods utilized are traditional chiropractic, which focuses on realigning the bones, and kinesiology, which is more gentle and focuses on the muscles that pull the bones out of alignment. Usually both methods are utilized, though patient preferences about the degree of physical manipulation desired are always honored.

Follow up appointments last about 15 minutes. Most people need two to four adjustments to relieve their symptoms, though more may be required in cases of extreme trauma or chronic injuries. We usually recommend one follow up to make sure everything stays in place. If a patient is not at least 50% better by the third visit, they are usually referred to another healthcare provider. We also offer an affordable wellness plan of quick, 3-5 minute adjustments for people who have recovered but like the overall good health that a regular adjustment provides. We recommend doing this once a week to once a month, or before or after massage, acupuncture, or any treatment offered at the Center.

The initial counseling assessment is about 1 ½ hours. During the first session, the counselor gathers information about current symptoms and any history information as needed. She will work with you to create your goals and discuss techniques that she may use in the following sessions. During this visit, the counselor will discuss our confidentiality policy with you.

Regular counseling sessions are about 1 hour but can sometimes last longer. Counseling may be ongoing over several weeks or several months depending on your needs and budget. The counselor may collaborate with the other practitioners at the center and will sometimes recommend other treatments that will help the overall well being. The counselor does sometimes work outside of the office. If family and/or child counseling is needed, she may go to the house or the school on a limited basis. There also may be a need in a crisis situation. If counseling is needed outside of the office, we will discuss further details and pricing during the initial assessment.

Herbal medicine consultations last 45-60 minutes. Herbal formulas are individually crafted based on the diagnosis and evaluation principles of Chinese Medicine. The consultation begins with a thorough health history, followed by tongue and pulse diagnosis. Other methods of diagnosis may include channel palpation on the limbs, abdominal palpation, or facial diagnosis. The raw materials for the formulas are granulated herbs, instant teas that are prepared by dissolving into warm water. The teas have a slight sweetness to them and an herbal, medicinal flavor. A typical dosage is three grams, three times per day. Formulas are usually taken for one or two weeks after which the patient’s condition is re-evaluated and the formula is adjusted accordingly.

The initial appointment begins with a 15 minute intake followed by a 60 minute massage. The intake covers the patient's health history, details of the pregnancy (if pregnant), the patient's goals and expectations, and any questions that the patient may have. Diagnostic techniques utilized include a thorough health history, postural analysis, and manual observation during the massage. The patient undresses in private, is covered by a sheet and a blanket, and is supported with cushions. Throughout the massage the practitioner will address the discomforts of the client with an integration of Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Deep Tissue, Acupressure, and gentle stretching. Each follow up appointment begins with a short, 5 minute intake to track the patient’s progress and to discuss any discomforts and session goals, and is followed by a 60 minute massage.

Maternity Massage focuses on the many unique physical needs of the mother-to-be, providing nurturing support during this beautiful time of change. By taking care of yourself, you are in turn taking care of your baby. Prenatal massage is usually done with the patient lying on her side, with pillows and cushions for support. The massage addresses the neck, back, arms and hands, hips, pelvis, and the legs and feet. It can help relieve the effects of stress, low back pain, edema, sinus congestion, and breathing restrictions.

Massage therapy is not only beneficial before childbirth, but also afterward. Postpartum massage focuses on helping to restore the new mother's body back to its pre-pregnancy state. By relieving muscle tension and easing the stress of daily activities, postpartum massage is a wonderful opportunity for the new mother to take time for herself. The special attention and quiet time provided during the massage allows the mother to relax and reflect. New parents may want to consider infant massage instruction taught in the comfort of their own home. It can help with colic, reflux, digestion, and improve sleeping patterns. It can also increase levels of communication, and helps to establish one-on-one bonding time for the whole family!

To prepare for the appointment the patient can fill out the intake form ahead of time. Also, if the client is pregnant or injured, they should obtain written consent from their doctor prior to their appointment. In order to get the most out of their massage, the patient should drink plenty of water, can take a warm bath, and should take time to incorporate moments of stillness into their daily routine.

Each treatment begins with a discussion of your symptoms and related history, followed by a thorough postural and movement assessment. This lets us know the patterns which currently exist within your body and where to focus the treatment for the greatest results. Often symptoms manifest in places other than the actual cause of the problem, and a thorough assessment allows us to track these issues back to their root cause.

The therapies used is determined by the needs of the patient’s body at that time, though specific deep tissue work is the foundation of the work. The practitioner only applies pressure as deep as the patient’s body allows without pushing past their resistance. As the patient’s body opens naturally, it allows the practitioner to access deeper layers. Deep relaxation is essential for the body to heal, not just an end to itself, and the key to accessing deeper layers of the body.

Therapeutic Massage integrates several bodywork techniques in order to release chronic patterns of stress, loosen scar tissue, and restore flexibility, range of motion, and postural balance. The therapist and client work together as a team to reduce discomfort and maximize the effectiveness of the session. The recommended length for the initial treatment is 90 minutes. This allows for a thorough evaluation and treatment. Successive treatments may be for 60 or 90 minutes. Some soreness may result after a treatment, but should subside after 24 to 48 hours. Drinking plenty of water and taking a warm bath will help reduce any soreness.