My Specialties

Having practiced Chinese medicine for so many years, I have had the opportunity to specialize in a variety of health concerns. I particularly have experience in the treatment of chronic pain, TMJ, digestive and immunological disorders, fatigue, neurological problems, symptoms following head injury, women’s health, pediatrics, upper respiratory disorders, addiction, as well as problems with sleep and anxiety.

Acupuncture is an excellent modality for treating most cases of pain, whether acute or chronic, often with immediate results. I often use craniosacral therapy simultaneously with acupuncture, which increases the efficacy of treatment. Craniosacral therapy is also indicated in the treatment of TMJ, head injuries and many neurological problems.

For the treatment of digestive disorders and hormonal problems, I sometimes utilize laboratory testing. I find that dietary counseling or detoxification programs are appropriate for some people.

The use of Chinese herbal formulas, is a primary, and often necessary aspect of successful treatment. Obviously, acupuncture does things that herbs cannot do and vise versa. Together these two modalities offer a powerful and effective approach to health care.

Healing Philosopy

I have come to believe that illness and pain offer us an opportunity for change. Sometimes that change involves a change in lifestyle, and sometimes it is merely an opportunity to alter our perception of a challenging situation. Of course, this is very difficult when we are in the middle of it, and our suffering seems to consume our attention. Although we seek to alter or eliminate the illness, often the first step in healing is to relax our struggle with it. It is then easier to encourage healing, speeding up the process by engaging in any of the healing modalities available. Acupuncture, herbs, massage, therapy, etc. will encourage the correct energy flows of body and mind, creating a new homeostasis, thus altering physiological functioning.

Many popular philosophies today teach that we are responsible for everything we experience, including all our illnesses. They propose that the very existence of illness indicates that we did something wrong; perhaps we ate the wrong foods, or engaged in negative thinking. Of course there may be some truth to that, but I believe that often we really do not know, and it is counterproductive to berate our past actions. Although such philosophies are meant to empower us, they sometimes have the opposite effect, leading us to feel at fault. The implicit judgment inherent in such belief systems tends to undermine the sense of compassion we so desperately need at such times. Compassion and self appreciation are such powerful healing forces, that I encourage people to be responsible to their illnesses rather than for their illnesses.

One thing that I have always appreciated about traditional Chinese medicine is the intimate relationship between body and mind. The Chinese medical system acknowledges that any excessive emotional state can injure the internal organs. For example anger and resentment may injure the liver. Conversely, a disorder of the liver may generate irritability and a tendency to become easily angered. A weakness of the kidneys may cause someone to be fearful, while chronic fear may injury the kidneys. All the internal organs are associated with different corresponding emotions. It is not of great concern which came first, the chicken or the egg, the imbalanced emotion or the organ dysfunction. We simply work with the energy system, to impact the mind and body simultaneously. It’s ultimately a matter of rebalancing the system.

The Chinese medical approach is inherently holistic, and has been for the thousands of years that it has been practiced. It is my intent to continue that tradition.