Welcome.... 

This Chinese character "De" means virtue, heart, mind and kindness.  This is how I view working with my clients -- with the utmost kindness, from the heart, with knowledge and integrity.  I view our time together as a partnership, with each of us taking a part in achieving and maintaining your health.

At Healing Touch Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, you are viewed as a whole person and not just a set of symptoms.  Your health and well-being are my main concern.

How Does It Work?

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs promote the body's natural healing ability.  Basically, from a Chinese medical perspective, channels of energy, called meridians, run through the body and over its surface.  When energy is blocked in a meridian, it causes energy to build up in some areas of the body, while depriving other areas.  Placing needles on certain sites unblocks these obstructions.  Modern scientific theory has not fully explained how or why this works, but speculate that needles stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal chord and brain, promoting the body to heal itself.  MRI's performed during the application of acupuncture needles shows activity in areas related to the release of these chemicals.

What To Expect From An Acupuncture Treatment   

Different sensations such as warmth, pressure, tingling or aching may be felt at the needle site, but this sensation is different from pain.  These sensations are generally mild and short-lived.  Most people experience a feeling of deep relaxation and some even fall asleep.

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin -- about the width of a strand of hair.  They are not hollow like needles used to give injections.  Only pre-sterilized single use needles are used, so there is no possibility of cross-contamination from another person.

During treatment, acupuncture points may be stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, causing a brief return of the needling sensation.

More Than Just Needles

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses an array of techniques to promote good health.  It dates back at least 3,000 years and until about 60 years ago, was the primary healthcare system in China.  It is a complete medical system that is used to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve overall health.  It is effective for psychological and emotional problems.

Herbology plays a critical role in the treatment of illness as well.  Using acupuncture and herbs together means a more effective treatment, often with quicker results.  Herbal formulas are a combination of several herbs and are designed with each individual patient in mind (see "Herbal Medicine" for more info).

Other forms of treatment include:

     Cupping:  The placement of glass suctions cups on the skin to promote blood circulation.

     Moxibustion: Uses heat from a burning herbal "cigar" near an acupuncture point to warm the body.

     Massage:  To promote the circulation of blood lymphatic fluid and to ease areas of pain (See "Other Things To Know").

Working With Children

While acupuncture is generally not used in children under the age of 10, there are some excellent treatments available for children.  This includes a specialized form of massage that not only keeps children healthy, but can treat some of the more common childhood diseases and conditions, such as colic, fever, digestive complaints, common cold and respiratory infections (See "Other Things To Know").

Commonly Treated Conditions

Since acupuncture promotes the body's natural healing ability, most conditions can be corrected or improved.  Oriental Medicine is a comprehensive system of preventative healthcare and maintenance.  Its effectiveness is well-documented and extends far beyond the conception that it is only useful for chronic pain management.  The World Health Organization has compiled the following list of conditions for which they have found acupuncture to be beneficial:

Neurological	Musculo-skeletal	Gynecological
Headache	Low Back Pain	Infertility
Migraine	Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis	PMS
Post-operative Pain	Sciatica	Menstrual Cramps
Stroke Recovery	Traumatic Injuries	Irregular Menstruation
Facial Pain & Palsy	General Pain	Obstetrics
Trigeminal Neuralgia	Numbness	Insufficient Lactation
Dizziness and Vertigo
Respiratory	Ear, Nose, Throat, Dental	Digestive
Allergies	Ringing in the Ears	Chronic Diarrhea
Asthma	Poor Hearing	Indigestion
Bronchitis	Toothache	Constipation
Common Cold or Flu	Mouth Sores	Abdominal Pain
Emotional	Other Benefits
Insomnia	Stress
Depression	Immune Disorders
Anxiety	Addictions
Neurosis	Appetite Control
	Fibromyalgia
	Chronic Fatigue
	Hypertension
	Impotence

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