services and fees
Comprehensive Chinese Medical Care
Chinese medicine utilizes multiple treatment disciplines, providing a holistic approach to health care. While acupuncture is the foundation of treatment, it is one among several methods in the gamut of Chinese Medicine. The most effective treatment strategies typically involve any or all of these methods. All treatment begins with an extensive foundational intake consultation using traditional Chinese medical diagnostic techniques (medical history taking, pulse reading, and tongue diagnosis).
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body. The needles stimulate the body’s Qi (pronounced “chee”). When the Qi is out of balance, symptoms of disease, dysfunction or pain occur. Because the Qi is embodied in both our physical and non-physical attributes, we can influence all levels of well being through its manipulation. Other so-called adjunct practices, such as cupping, gua sha and moxibusiont are added to treatment as appropriate (at no extra cost).
Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy
Unlike pharmaceuticals, or even the typical use of Western herbs, Chinese herbs are not aimed at symptomatology per se. Instead, these herbs are put together in special formulas designed to address the underlying imbalances in the Qi systems. Symptoms are resolved, not due to their suppression, but because their root causes are addressed.
Many formulas are available in pre-made forms. While these can be convenient, I also prescribe individually customized formulas for more effective results.
Lifestyle and Functional Medical Advice
The ancient Chinese medical texts recognize that our habits contribute greatly to either good or poor health. Treatment therefore includes lifestyle guidance, such as proper diet, sleep, and emotional management - all in accordance with Chinese medical principles.
I have also extensively studied modern non-conventional medical practices, to include homeopathy, naturopathy and “functional” medicine. This knowledge is incorporated into treatment, as appropriate.
Special Services
Telehealth Sessions
For consultations that do not require hands on treatment, we don’t necessarily need to meet in person. This includes herbal therapy, lifestyle counseling, assessment of other medical testing results, recommendations using non-prescription based naturopathic or functional medicine interventions (such as nutritional supplements and other nutraceuticals).
Microneedling
Microneedling therapy is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure, using an electronic needling pen. The mechanical action of the pen allows the needles to shallowly puncture the skin, creating a controlled micro injury without damaging or burning the skin, like other cosmetic procedures. It results in increased blood flow to the tissues and the production of a renewed matrix of collagen and elastin. This improves skin firmness and reduces wrinkles, scars, pore size, and stretch marks.
Red and Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy
Known as photo bio-modulation (PBM), this therapy exposes the body to wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to promote various health benefits. The therapeutic effects of PBM are achieved through the stimulation of mitochondrial function and the production of cellular energy (ATP) in the body.
I use several types of PBM equipment in treatment where appropriate, including a full body light panel, soft large pads for direct skin contact, and a head unit that directly stimulates the brain.
a special note about pricing
Using a Simple Pricing Structure for Your Health Care
After many years of trying out a variety of pricing structures, experience tells me that simple is best. Rather than breaking out services into multiple separately priced components, my pricing structure is designed to charge one basic fee for each health care visit.
A treatment program begins with a comprehensive intake consultation, as described above. This session also includes the first acupuncture treatment. The fee for that is $150. Subsequent sessions will be booked for acupuncture treatments. These take approximately an hour and the fee is a flat $100. There are no additional fees for extra services performed within an acupuncture treatment. We simply use every modality that I deem appropriate for you in the moment. That might include cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, light therapy, a targeted tissue manipulation called tui na. Whatever it takes, that’s what you get in a session. No extra charge.
If you want to utilize any of those adjunct therapies as a stand alone treatment, without a full acupuncture session, those can be purchased at a lesser negotiated fee. Microneedling facial rejuvenation is booked as a separate service and charged $100. Smaller areas of scar therapy may be included with acupuncture or booked separately for reduced fees. Telehealth services are offered in place of in person acupuncture visits and thus have their own pricing structure.
One thing that an acupuncture session will ALWAYS include is ongoing consultation. We will spend some of our time each and every session continuing to discuss your health care issues, your treatment progress, new symptoms, things you forgot to tell me, and anything and everything else that comes up. And I do mean anything — from physical, to emotional, to behavioral, to spiritual. Sometimes even metaphysical, if you’re into it! I’ll probably also end up teaching you about Chinese medical philosophy. We will discuss it all, and I will continue to guide you through your healing. This will include lifestyle advice, use of Chinese herbs and other supplements, or application of my knowledge of functional medicine. I’ll even help you understand your western medical tests and diagnoses better. There is no additional consultation charge for any of this. Just the one fee for the normal hour long acupuncture session. The bottom line is that you get my full attention and the use of all of my tools, knowledge, and skills for one session price.
