Services We Provide

Acupuncture

Many conditions can be treated successfully with this unique system of medicine. Our treatment protocol includes infrared heat therapy to improve the circulation, manual or electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas to promote deeper healing. Acupuncture needles are very thin and there is very little sensation. There is little if any pain associated with acupuncture, and treatments are actually very relaxing. In fact, many patients even take a nap while the treatment unfolds.

Massage Therapy

We offer massage, deep tissue sculpting, and craniosacral therapy. Inquire for more details.

What can acupuncture treat?

The National Institutes Of Health officially endorsed acupuncture in 1997. The World Health Organization also maintains an extensive list of conditions that acupuncture is very effective at treating.

Detailed Information On Specific Conditions

Pain, Arthritis and Injuries

When an injury or trauma occurs there is an initial inflammatory response which begins the healing process. When this inflammation lingers, however, not only is the blood circulation to the area impaired, but the body's vital energy becomes stagnant too. Acupuncture sends a message via the nervous system which triggers a shift in the neurochemical balance, raises the neural-pain threshold, and releases the body from the "stuck" pattern it has been holding since the onset of the symptoms. This helps relieve the chronic inflammation and increases blood circulation, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the injured area so that it can properly heal.

A current research project in Germany is the largest acupuncture study ever undertaken. Preliminary results are showing an 89% effective rate when treating pain with acupuncture! Of course, acupuncturists have long seen the results of this type of treatment, but now more & more patients and doctors are discovering how effective acupuncture can be. Interestingly, the German study, which involves 40,000 patients, is being paid for by their health insurance industry. Here in Washington State, most insurance plans already include acupuncture coverage for pain-related conditions.

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndromes

Where Western medicine fails, alternative medicine excels. These two "diagnoses" are typical catch-all names for symptom patterns that elude a more concise and treatable Western diagnosis. Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndromes can be caused by a variety of internal organ and external energy channel imbalances in the Oriental medical perspective. It is important to differentiate the root cause of your symptoms in order to better customize your treatment. Individualized care is the hallmark of Oriental medicine, and most patients with these types of patterns experience significant relief through acupuncture and Chinese herbs. We also look into precipitating lifestyle factors and dietary imbalances to better effect a long-term change. See this fibromyalgia study for more information.

Menopausal Syndrome and Hot Flashes

Many women are inquiring about treatment options for menopausal symptoms using acupuncture & Oriental medicine since reports hit the news recently about negative health effects of "HRT". Acupuncture & Chinese herbs can indeed help to restore balance to the body's endocrine system, effectively treating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes (some prefer to call them "power surges"), dryness, irritability, insomnia, etc. For more information, see this menopause study.

Digestive Disorders

Acupuncture & Chinese herbs are quite effective at restoring proper functioning to the digestive organs. For chronic disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, heartburn, constipation & diarrhea, Oriental medicine can produce lasting results and reduce dependency on expensive drugs. See these digestive studies for more details.

Fertility and Preconception Care

We can customize a program for your individual situation. Current research is showing that acupuncture can increase pregnancy rates with IVF treatment from 26% to 42% with just a few treatments. See this IVF and acupuncture study for more information.

A British program that implements detoxification protocols and nutrition and lifestyle changes for both parents for four months prior to conception has shown impressive results in not only increasing pregnancy rates without intervention, but increasing the health of the mother and child during and after pregnancy. Follow this link for information about the British "Foresight" program. We collaborate with our colleagues at Fertile Path for those patients desiring this extremely comprehensive, all-natural approach to preconception care as an alternative to IUI and IVF procedures.

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