"Excellence in the tradition of East Asian medicine has always been defined by the ability to be simultaneously immersed in the past while also responding meaningfully and practically to the present...The history of East Asian medicine is a remarkable chain of transmission and modulation from one generation, dynasty, and even country, to the next."
~Ted Kaptchuk
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is about five thousand years old, it incorporates the use of acupuncture, herbs,nutrition and lifestyle counseling to use the body’s own healing abilities and bring it into balance. It is therefore free from side effects.
During the first visit an extensive health history is taken, pulse, tongue and abdominal diagnosis as the method to observe the functioning of the patient's Qi is used. The patent's skin tone,voice quality, gesture, and the structure of the patient's body are also signs leading to the diagnosis. All of the information gathered connect into a "pattern differentiation". This way the unique pattern of energetic disharmony is found and treated. The treatment is based upon specific Chinese medical methodology to create an individualized treatment plan. Chinese Medicine works so effectively because the practitioner acknowledges that you are not merely your disease. A unique Chinese herbal medicine and an acupuncture treatment protocol especially for you is designed.
Through the use of dialogue and counseling, without drugs - even without natural remedies - the physician is able to intervene through awareness and participation.
The underlying cause of the "dis-ease" as well as the symptoms are addressed.
Conditions commonly treated
Respiratory:
Colds and Flus, Sore Throat, Bronchitis, Asthma, Smoking, allergies,...
Digestive:
Stomachache, Diarrhea, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Colitis, Indigestion, Gastric Reflux, Ulcers, ...
Gynecological/Genito-Urinary:Menstrual Pain, Hot Flashes, Infertility, Endometriosis, Mastitis, Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections, Difficult Urination, Prostatitis, Sexual Dysfunction,...
Cardiovascular:
High Blood Pressure, Palpitations, Arrhythmia, Angina,...
Musculo-Skeletal:
accident trauma, Osteoporosis, Joint Pain, Sports Injuries (Muscle/Tendon/Ligament Damage), Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Fibrositis/Fibromyalgia, Tendinitis, Repetitive Motion Syndrome, ...
a short Video you may like to watch:
Stress-Related:
Fatigue, Insomnia, Anxiety, Irritability, Stress,...
Immune System:
HIV/AIDS, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Side Effects of Western Meds, ...
How does acupuncture work?
Central to the Traditional Chinese view of life is the concept of "Qi," or vital life force.
What is life force? Our life force is our energy, spirit, heart, mind, body, light, and our reason for living. Our life force includes the connection we have to others and to the whole universe.
Qi life force, flows through our bodies via channels or meridians that are connected to our major internal organs. When Qi energy flows freely through the meridians, the body is balanced and healthy. Imbalance and dis-ease result when this flow of energy is deficient, stagnant or excessive.
To restore balance, hair-thin needles are inserted in the specific acupuncture points along these channels that balance the flow of energy and bring the body back into balance.
The treatment centers on supplementing the primary deficiency pattern and balancing the distribution and circulation of Qi energy within the meridian system. Therefore, if you have stagnant energy, specific points are chosen to release it. If it is too weak, then it is strengthened.
The chosen points may not necessarily be at the site of the symptoms.
An imbalance in a person's body can result from inappropriate emotional responses such as excess anger, over-excitement, self-pity, deep grief and fear. Environmental factors such as cold, dampness/humidity, wind, dryness, and heat can also cause imbalance, as well as factors such as wrong diet, and excessive work, exercise or sexual activity.
Method of Diagnosis:
Pulse, tongue and abdominal diagnosis as the method to observe the functioning of the patients Qi is used. The pulse is like a monitor reflecting the changes taking place in the patient during the progression of the treatment.
I palpate on acupuncture points and describe them in "energetic" terms to the client.
Our joint focusing on the particular area enables channeling of the client's "true healing intention" to the area, which effects "body mind integration."
Needling Technique:
The needle techniques are gentle, yet effective on a deep level. Contact or touch needling, which is a noninvasive method is used for children, elderly and needle sensitive people for whom a silver needle is touched to the acupuncture points. In some treatments, an herb is burnt on the acupuncture point to deepen the treatment. This is known as Moxibustion.
Auricular therapy
auriculotherapy (auricular therapy, ear acupuncture):
Form of homuncular acupuncture developed by Dr. P.F.M. Nogier of France. Its theory depicts the auricle (the outer portion of the ear) as an upside-down fetus with points that correspond to bodily parts. Such points number more than two hundred. Ostensible diagnosis involves examining the ear for tenderness or for variations in electrical conductivity. Treatment consists in the acupuncturing of the auricular acupoint that corresponds to the anatomical site of the malady.
Practitioners may base their choice of points on clinical experience, "modern medicine," the site of the disease, or the TCM theories of "Organs" and meridians.
this method is often used along the regular acupuncture treatments. it allows patients to give themselves treatments by stimulation of acupoints on the auricle (the outer portion of the ear)pressing on the ear tacks placed on the specific ear points.
Some of the most common dis-eases treatable by Ear acupuncture are Addictions, stop smoking, weight control, pain relief, lower blood pressure, childbirth facilitation, calming and relaxing the nervous system, insomnia and more.
auricular magnetic therapy: involves taping magnetic balls or pellets to auricular acupoints.
auricular massage: involves pinching, pressing, or rotating all or part of the ear.
auricular moxibustion: thread incense moxibustion, a variation of direct moxabustion on the acupoints on the auricle .
auricular reflexology: reflexology of the ear.
.~*~.
Azita Moallef, L.Ac.
P.O.Box 7639
Santa Monica, Ca. 90406
310.453.5717
This Web page may be linked to any other Web sites. Contents may not be altered.
