Vital Spirit Acupuncture
Services & Rates
Acupuncture
Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture is currently one of the most thoroughly researched, practiced, and respected forms of complementary medicine available anywhere. Acupuncture uses very thin, sterile needles, approximately the size of a human hair, with specific points on the body to stimulate the body's energy system (meridians) and improve the flow of energy (Qi).
Patients can expect to feel a dull ache, tingling, or heaviness in the area the needle has been placed or along the corresponding meridian. It is common to feel a deep sense of relaxation during a treatment.
The many benefits of acupuncture include:
- Pain reduction
- Stress and tension relief
- Renewed energy
- Stronger digestion
- Improved sleep
- Relief from bad habits and addictions
- Greater sense of overall health and well-being
Initial acupuncture session is $90 and is 1 hour and 45 minutes
Chinese Herbalism
Chinese herbal medicine is a 2,000 year old tradition using naturally occurring substances — including herbs — to enhance one's health and vitality. It is a comprehensive form of medicine that can effectively address a wide variety of conditions. The foundation of this approach is to support the body's natural self-healing mechanisms and abilities.
Since each patient has different needs, the practitioner carefully selects and combines a variety of herbs that will synergistically blend together to achieve optimal results for your unique situation. This clinic uses high-quality, professional-grade herbal medicines that are available only to qualified licensed professionals. Herbal formulas are available in several forms: tea pills, tablets, and granules (herbal powders).
Combining acupuncture with herbal medicine is the most effective way to improve your health and treat the majority of diseases. Please consider trying both to speed the recovery of your condition.
Chinese Nutritional Therapy
Chinese nutrition provides many guidelines which can improve the overall health and energy of each individual. For those dealing with digestive complaints, liver or gall bladder disorders, blood sugar fluctuation, or issues regarding weight gain/loss, Chinese nutritional therapy will be an important component in your recovery.
Suggestions for improving, supplementing and monitoring nutrition will be combined with other modalities to effectively treat your condition.
Tui Na
Tui Na is an ancient form of bodywork that is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine. I use a variety of pressures and strokes along the meridians (energy pathways) of your body to both relax your muscles and also stimulate the flow of energy throughout your body. Tui Na treats both the physical (musculature) and energetic (Qi) levels of your body at the same time. It is a wonderful complement to treatments for pain, stress, sleep disorders, and emotional imbalances.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is based a detailed body map that covers the areas of the ear. One to three points can be used during a regular acupuncture treatment to strengthen pain relief and calm the emotions. Auricular acupuncture has been commonly used for detoxification and treatment for addictions. With any treatment of the ear, needles, seeds (small, round seeds that are taped onto the ear for several days) or massage will be utilized.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion (or Moxa) is a technique that involves the burning of the medicinal herb Mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing and health. Moxibustion has been used for healing purposes throughout Asia for thousands of years. The purpose of moxibustion is to stimulate the flow of Qi (energy), warm the yang energy of the body, and enhance your overall vitality and health.
This modality can be used in many forms during a treatment and I will explain what form will be best for your treatment. Since we are burning the herb to bring the herbal properties into the body, there is a release of smoke. If you are sensitive to smoke, we will use caution when using this modality or abstain from using it altogether.
The use of moxibustion during a treatment is commonly found to be warming and relaxing.
Cupping
Cupping has been a part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It is the placement of specialized glass cups on the body and creating a suction by heating the cups. The cups either remain stationary over certain points or are manipulated by the practitioner over larger areas of the body (moving cupping). It relieves aches and muscular pain, improves circulation, helps with respiratory and digestive issues, and can be used for conditions like the common cold and stress.
This modality may leave small, circular red (or even purple) marks on the body. Typically, the marks will clear within a few days.
The end result of either stationary or moving cupping is a greater overall sense of health and well-being.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a highly effective modality that uses a smooth, round-edged object (such as a ceramic spoon) to apply short, brisk strokes to an area of the body. During the treatment, small red dots or petechiae may come to the surface, and these will usually fade in two to three days. This modality improves blood circulation and can be used for chronic pain, stress, fatigue and for conditions such as the common cold.
Covering the treatment area when going outdoors is suggested after using this modality as well as refraining from taking very long baths for a day or two.
Acupressure
Acupressure is based on one of the most ancient principles of healing — that simply touching a specific point on the body will release stress and improve health in the body. In an acupressure session, the practitioner applies firm pressure directly to these "points" on your body, which relieves your muscle tension and improves your circulation. This simple and powerful technique has been shown to very effective in treating headaches, backaches, and even insomnia.
Acupressure can normally be combined with an acupuncture treatment. However, it can be substituted for needles at the client's request.
Pulse Diagnosis and Tongue Examination
One of the most common questions that patients ask about Chinese Medicine is: "Why does my practitioner check my pulse?" Pulse diagnosis is actually one of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques used in Chinese Medicine. Through feeling and evaluating your pulse, the practitioner obtains an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution, Qi (energy) flow, and internal organ health, among other things. The practitioner then synthesizes all of this information into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Likewise, the tongue reveals important information regarding internal organ health and if pathogenic factors are present in your condition. The practitioner looks at the color, shape and moisture of the tongue as well as the underside of the tongue. This is why patients are asked not to brush their tongue prior to treatment because valuable diagnostic information can be found by examining the tongue.