Pain
Acupuncture and tuina excel at reducing muscle tension and spasms as well as calming nerve impulses and releasing impingement of nerves. The cumulative effect of these is a dramatic decrease in pain. Whether the cause is a chronic condition, acute trauma, neuropathy, painful menstruation, chronic headaches, digestive pain, chronic fatigue, strains/pulls or degenerative, TCM is an excellent treatment option for all of them.
Orthopedics/ Sports Medicine
Tuina (medical massage) mostly specializes in the field of orthopedics. Acupuncture is also an excellent choice as an alternative or complementary treatment to tuina. The most common conditions treated are herniated discs, cervical problems (spondylosis), frozen shoulder, knee pain/problems, hip pain, piriformis syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, mild scoliosis, tennis elbow, etc. Although surgery is a useful tool, it is so often over-prescribed to the detriment of the patient. In general, between 80-90% of incoming patients who were recommended for surgery can use acupuncture and tuina to avoid surgery indefinitely.
Gynecology
Both acupuncture and herbal medicine excel at treating gynecological disorders. Many gynecological disorders are rooted in endocrine imbalances, and these two treatment methods are excellent ways to naturally adjust the endocrine system. We regularly treat painful menstruation, irregular menstruation (irregular timing, flow, clotting, etc), irregular discharge, urinary tract infections (UTIs), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCS), uterine fibroids, breast hyperplasia, PMS, fertility, morning sickness, postpartum conditions, etc.
Dermatology
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are excellent at adjusting both the immune system and the digestive system, which contribute to their effectiveness in treating dermatological disorders. Immunosuppressants and steroids are commonly the first line of treatment for many western medicine dermatologists, but these methods have definite drawbacks: they are often effective while on the medicine, but once medication is stopped many conditions return with the same or even worsened severity. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can adjust the immune system without suppressing it, and can provide sustained efficacy for a multitude of dermatological disorders. We regularly treat eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, shingles, allergies, hay fever, rosacea, mouth ulcers, hives/urticaria, lupus, etc.
Digestive
Acupuncture, tuina and herbal medicine are all effective treatment methods for digestive disorders, though they vary in specifically which conditions they treat. All three methods are effective for regulating bowels, either for loose bowels or constipation, as well as relieving bloating, distension, improving appetite and increasing absorption. Acupuncture and tuina are particularly well suited for any of the above in children, elderly, or those patients on potentially contra-indicative medication. In addition, herbal medicine is also effective for treating irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, GERD, gallstones, food allergies, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, etc.
Endocrine
Herbal medicine and acupuncture are particularly well suited to naturally treat numerous endocrine disorders large and small. From minor endocrine imbalances, such as jet lag and mild insomnia, to major endocrine and exocrine disorders, such as diabetes, hyper/hypothyroidism, these are excellent choices of treatment methods. We regularly treat diabetes, thyroid disease, thyroid nodules, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCS), metabolic syndrome, menopause, hyper/hypothyroidism, heart disease, adrenal disorders, etc.
Mental
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are both effective options to naturally treat many mental disorders. They can be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to western medication. Many patients have mild discomfort, such as mild anxiety or mild insomnia, that doesn’t warrant taking strong pharmaceuticals, but do very well with either herbal medicine or acupuncture. Other patients suffer from severe mental disorders, and they would like to either complement or replace their current pharmaceuticals due to strong side effects, or they haven’t found pharmaceuticals to be particularly effective. In either case, TCM is an excellent choice of treatment. Both herbal medicine and acupuncture are effective for treating insomnia, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, substance abuse, etc.
Immunology
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective treatment methods for a multitude of immunological disorders. Both of these treatment methods can adjust organ system function as well as deal with many of the symptoms accompanied by immune disorders – in essence, dealing with the root and the symptoms simultaneously. Using these natural methods can also avoid taking immunosuppressants, which can avoid many side effects and complications. We regularly treat allergies, food allergies, hay fever, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), Sjogren’s syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
Andrology
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are both effective treatment methods for many andrological disorders. Many male patients prefer more natural treatments for these disorders, especially if they suffer side effects from pharmaceuticals. The most common conditions treated are infertility, low sperm count (oligospermia), erectile dysfunction, prostatitis and prostate enlargement.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular conditions of a range of severity can be treated by herbal medicine and acupuncture. Many patients have coronary artery disease, or a narrowing of their coronary artery, which can manifest symptoms or be asymptomatic. Herbal medicine is an excellent choice to treat this preventatively in the early stages, or to ease symptoms and lessen the blockage in later stages. Herbs and acupuncture can be used as alternative treatments or work in complement with western medicine, depending on severity. Strokes can be treated preventively, primarily with herbs, and acupuncture excels at treating post-stroke symptoms and rehabilitating sensory and motor function. In addition, herbal medicine and acupuncture can treat pericarditis, peripheral vascular disease, etc.
Respiratory
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective treatment methods for many respiratory conditions. Seasonal infections ranging from common colds and the flu, to upper respiratory tract infections, to bronchitis and pneumonia can all be treated with herbal medicine or acupuncture. In addition, many chronic conditions like asthma and COPD can be treated to relieve many symptoms regularly or during acute flare-ups, and can also be used to slow the progression of the disease.
Neurological
Acupuncture and tuina are excellent treatment methods from neuropathy/radiating pain, particularly any sort of peripheral nerve impingement, such as cervical spondylosis or herniated discs. Nerves, like muscles, tend to habitually fire, even long after the initial impingement or trauma. Both of these methods are excellent methods to help ‘reset’ the nerves and make sure they aren’t firing just out of habit. Both methods also help relieve tension and impingement as well. They are also effective treatment methods for migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, sleep disorders, attention deficit disorder, dizziness, vertigo, etc.