What We Do
Chinese Medicine Focus
Our goal is to treat patients using traditional techniques of Acupuncture along with herbal therapy.
Pain
Acupuncture removes blockages to restore normal circulation in areas of discomfort. Many clinical studies have proven the efficacy of acupuncture in treating pain by decreasing inflammation and increasing peripheral circulation. As an added benefit, the body’s own endorphins are stimulated to help reduce pain sensation and create a feeling of well-being. Many pain conditions that other modalities have trouble treating, such as plantar fasciitis, are relieved with a series of acupuncture treatments.
Herbal Chinese Medicine also benefits pain conditions when a formula is tailored to your individual needs. Besides a blockage of Qi, as mentioned above, other factors that can cause pain include blood stagnation, accumulation of dampness, and/or a deficiency within the body.
Learn more in our blog post: Lower Back Pain
Perimenopausal Symptoms
Concern over the side-effects of hormone replacement therapy has led many people to seek acupuncture and herbal Chinese medicine for treatment of menopausal symptoms. Chinese Medicine views the body’s hormonal cycles as being closely related to the energy of the Liver and Kidney systems. This is largely because the Liver stores the blood and is responsible for the smooth unfolding of the body’s cyclical process, including menstruation. The Kidneys store our vital essence, which naturally declines as we age. All of us are born with a fixed amount of essence, which is depleted over time. Therefore, the herbal Chinese Medicine approach to treating perimenopause often involves tonifying the Kidneys and regulating the Liver. This can help to ease mitigating symptoms and restore balance during perimenopause and even into the menopausal years.
Hot flashes are the most common symptom that comes to mind for most people when they think of menopause. In Chinese Medicine, this sudden flush of heat is linked with the decline of yin substance. This creates an imbalance and can allow yang to ascend, causing heat sensations, sweating, and red flushing of the upper body. This can also lead to night sweats as yin is dominant at night. If yin is lacking, then it cannot anchor the yang and results in night sweats. The Chinese Medicine approach is to boost the yin and clear any excess heat. Even from a Western medicine perspective, acupuncture promotes blood vessel dilation and regulates the hypothalamus, your body’s internal thermostat.
Beyond hot flashes, acupuncture and herbal Chinese medicine can assist in stabilizing the mood, sharpening mental focus, boosting energy, and balancing menstrual changes. Although perimenopause is a natural part of life, it doesn’t have to be miserable!
Learn more in our blog post: Finding Balance During Hormonal Changes
Support for Age-Related Conditions
Chinese Medicine focuses on promoting health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. Common health concerns may include osteoarthritis, loss of balance, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, lumbar stenosis, diabetes, and many other issues.
In Chinese medicine, as we age, the Qi of the Kidney organ begins to decline. We must keep in mind, however, that Kidney in Chinese Medicine is very different from Kidney in Western medicine. In Chinese Medicine the kidney store’s the essence that is somewhat the basis of life. At birth, we inherit this essence of life from our parents and utilize it throughout our lives. When this essence runs out, we can no longer sustain life.
To address this issue of Kidney Qi decline, Chinese Medicine emphasizes the combination of physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and environmental aspects. At Ancient Spring Acupuncture, the physical aspect includes acupuncture treatment, moxibustion, tui-na, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy. These treatment modalities keep a holistic healthcare approach in mind and are much gentler and safer for our aging population.
Learn more in our blog post: Osteoarthritis
