Treatment Procedures

Initial Consultation

On your first visit, an initial interview process will be conducted to perform a diagnosis. This involves:

Obtaining a list of signs and symptoms from the patient,
Evaluating the pulse (Chinese medicine doesn't just count the heart rate, but categorizes the quality of the pulse at 6 points on the wrist) and the tongue,
Measuring blood pressure, weight, and height,
Observing the patient (such as how nervous, tired, pale/flushed, cold/hot the patient is),
Questioning the patient about dietary habits, sleeping habits, etc.

A personalized course of treatment will then be developed and discussed with the patient, verifying that the patient understands the types of treatment selected from those discussed below, the rationale for each treatment, and the patient's role in the treatment process.

Acupuncture

If acupuncture is determined to be the best treatment for the diagnosis, the patient will be placed into a comfortable lying or sitting position. One or several (disposable one-use) hair-thin needles will be inserted at specific points. The needles are left in for several minutes to obtain maximum benefit. Generally, the practitioner lets the patient relax during this time. Patients often fall asleep during this part of the treatment.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal medicine comes in three forms.

Liquid form, obtained by cooking a combination of herbs in water. Whereas this is usually very bitter, takes time to prepare properly, and makes a strong smell in the house, it is also the most effective.
A convenient powder form (no cooking and associated strong smells, and no bitter taste) is commercially available, with the advantage of having about the same choice of combinations as liquid form, but a disadvantage of slightly higher cost and slightly less potency.
Pill forms are available, but only the more popular (generic) formulas are produced and have slow effect.

Together, you and your practitioner will select the appropriate form and dosage based on your condition and preference. Note: As herbal medicines are very effective at resolving body imbalances when the correct combination is applied, they can be equally effective at throwing the body much further out of balance if the wrong combination is used. Patients are strongly discouraged from trying Chinese herbal medicine without the guidance of a practitioner.

Electromagnetic Wave Treatment

A special lamp emitting electromagnetic waves from 2 through 25 microns in wavelength is used to enhance superficial blood circulation, improve body immunity, relieve pain, and relax muscles.

Cupping/Gua Sha

Cupping and Gua Sha techniques use squeezing and stretching (respectively) of body tissues. The effect is to smooth muscles and improve circulation, providing stimulus for new tissue generation and elimination of damaged tissues. These techniques are especially effective on chronic injuries.

Cupping involves burning the oxygen out of a small cup and then pressing the cup to the patient's body. The resulting suction that holds the cup in place relieves conditions of stagnant Qi energy. The cup may be shifted around without breaking the vacuum in order to treat larger regions. Depending on the length of time the cup is left in place and the degree of injury, there will be a varying amount of redness (a circular hickey, you might say) at that location for several days. If this redness is of concern, let your practitioner know. Whereas cupping uses a concave tool, Gua Sha involves massage with firm smooth (convex) tools to remove toxins and stagnant fluids from tissues.

Nutrition

Based on your diagnosis and other factors, the practitioner may suggest an adjustment of diet to help enhance and retain the benefits of the other treatments.