Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of hair thin, sterile needles into specific points in the body to restore balance. The practice dates back thousands of years and is the most iconic healing technique of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Pain and disease are often caused by the obstruction of “qi” or the natural movement of the body. Qi is the energetic propeller of blood, fluid and contributes to the communication of chemicals and nerves. When there is a blockage, the body becomes unregulated, leading to a cascade of disharmonies. We experience these disharmonies as pain, disease and lowered quality of life. Further, our emotional and spiritual landscape, as part of the web of health, can also impact qi movement. My ultimate goal in healing is to seek the root of pain and illness and unwind pathological patterning so that patients may inhabit their full individual potential.
Orthopedic Acupuncture
Orthopedic acupuncture is used to treat musculoskeletal conditions by combining ancient Chinese medical principles with a biomedical understanding of human anatomy to provide a comprehensive treatment for pain and mobility issues. The goal of orthopedic acupuncture is to promote healing, reduce pain, increase range of motion and enhance the body’s ability to recover from injury and/or manage chronic conditions. The most common technique I use is myofascial trigger point needling (also known as dry needling) which targets tight bands or “knots” in muscles that are stuck in a contracted position. Acupuncture stimulates these “triggered” muscles to improve blood flow, break up waste products, reduce pain, and reinstate their ability to function properly.
Bodywork
Removing obstruction and promoting proper flow and nourishment to the muscles and tissues can happen with many different tools. In the realm of Chinese medicine, this can include acupuncture, cupping, gua sha or traditional medical massage (tuina). With a background in Swedish and deep tissue massage, I often draw upon these modalities as well. My work is hands on by nature; I gather information from your body by palpating specific meridians and areas of pain as well as various orthopedic tests when needed to make decisions as to what tools will best suit your needs. These sessions will often include a combination of a few.
