Acupuncture
Initial Evaluation/Consultation: $50
Follow-up Appointment: $85
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is a foundational branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is over 2,500 years old. It is a holistic healing technique based on the concept that health is determined by the balanced flow of vital energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"), throughout the body.
The basic theory is that Qi flows through a network of pathways called meridians. There are 12 main meridians, each connected to specific major organs (e.g., Lung, Heart, Spleen, Kidney, Liver…). When Qi flows smoothly and in balance, the body is healthy. When the flow of Qi is blocked, deficient, or excessive, it creates an imbalance that leads to pain, illness, and dysfunction.
Acupuncture aims to restore and maintain the harmonious flow of Qi, thereby supporting the body's innate ability to heal itself.
The acupuncturist uses a detailed diagnostic process (including looking at the tongue, feeling the pulse, and asking questions) to identify the specific pattern of imbalance. They then insert ultra-fine, sterile, single-use needles into precise points (acupoints) along the meridians.
While the mechanisms are still being researched, science offers several explanations for how acupuncture works:
Neurotransmitter Release: The needle stimulation triggers the nervous system to release natural pain-killing chemicals (like endorphins) and neurotransmitters (like serotonin and dopamine), which can reduce pain and improve mood.
Improved Blood Flow: Acupuncture increases local circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing metabolic waste, which aids healing.
Modulating the Nervous System: It can shift the body from a stressed "fight-or-flight" (sympathetic) state to a relaxed "rest-and-digest" (parasympathetic) state, reducing stress and promoting healing.
Fascia Stimulation: Many acupoints correspond to connective tissue (fascia) planes. Needling this tissue creates cellular and electrical changes that can influence pain and function throughout the body.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Initial Evaluation/Consultation: $50
Acupuncture: $90
Cosmetic Acupuncture (also known as facial acupuncture or an "acupuncture facelift") is a holistic, non-invasive treatment that uses fine, sterile needles inserted into specific points on the face and body to improve skin health and appearance. It is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that aims to reduce signs of aging, promote a natural glow, and enhance overall well-being, rather than creating a dramatic, surgical-like change.
The core philosophy is that external beauty is a reflection of internal health. Therefore, the treatment addresses both the symptoms (wrinkles, dullness) and their root causes from a TCM perspective, such as imbalances in Qi (vital energy), Blood, and Yin/Yang. An acupuncturist does not just "needle the wrinkles." They perform a complete TCM diagnosis to determine your unique pattern of imbalance. The selection of body points is tailored to you. For instance:
If your root issue is stress, points on the head, wrists, and liver channel might be used.
If your root issue is poor digestion, points on the legs and abdomen will be emphasized.
If your root issue is a hormonal imbalance, points near the ankles and sacrum may be included.
In short, the body points address the root cause of aging, whereas the facial points target the local symptoms. This synergistic approach is what leads to longer-lasting, more natural, and holistic results.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbal Consultation: $50
Herbal Tea, herbal pills: The cost depends on which herbs are selected for your personalized treatment plan.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM) is one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a recorded history spanning over 2,000 years. It is a sophisticated and holistic healing system that uses natural substances—primarily plants, but also minerals and some animal products—to prevent and treat illness, restore balance, and promote health and vitality.
TCHM uses complex combinations of herbs to address the root cause of a patient's unique pattern of imbalance.
TCHM is rarely about prescribing a single herb. Its power lies in sophisticated, customized formulas that typically contain 4 to 15 different herbs working synergistically. Each herb in a formula has a specific role and property:
Chief (King) Herb: Provides the primary therapeutic action for the main pattern of illness.
Deputy (Minister) Herb: Assists the Chief Herb in its action or treats a coexisting pattern.
Assistant (Envoy) Herb: Mitigates side effects of the main herbs, balances the formula's strength (e.g., prevents it from being too drying), or helps guide the formula to a specific part of the body.
Messenger (Guide) Herb: Harmonizes the actions of all the other herbs and directs the formula to the target meridians or areas of the body.
TCHM is available in several forms to suit different needs:
Raw Herbs: The most traditional method. The practitioner gives a bag of dried herbs to be boiled at home into a strong tea or soup (decoction). This is highly customizable but time-consuming.
Herbal Powders (Granules): Concentrated extracts that are dried into a powder. Patients mix them with warm water to drink. This is a convenient and popular modern alternative to raw herbs.
Pills and Tablets (Wan): Fixed formulas that are easy to take and portable, but less customizable than granules.
Tinctures: Herbal extracts in an alcohol solution.
Patches and Liniments: For external use on sprains, bruises, or pain.
Safety and Important Considerations
Professional Guidance is Essential: Self-prescribing Chinese herbs can be dangerous. A qualified TCM practitioner (Licensed Acupuncturist or Herbalist) is trained to make accurate diagnoses and create safe, effective formulas.
Quality and Purity: It is crucial to source herbs from reputable suppliers who test for heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants.
Drug-Herb Interactions: Some herbs can interact with pharmaceutical drugs. You must inform both your TCM practitioner and your medical doctor about all the medications and supplements you are taking.
Traditional Fire Cupping
Traditional Fire Cupping: $50
Cupping is a therapeutic TCM technique that uses glass cups and fire to create suction on the skin. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine, with historical records dating back thousands of years. The core principle involves drawing stagnant blood, toxins, and "pathogenic factors" (such as Wind, Cold, and Dampness) from deep within the tissues to the surface, thereby stimulating healing. Patients typically feel a tight, pulling sensation that is often described as a deep, pressure-based massage. It should not be sharply painful.
The most distinctive after-effect is the circular marks. It is crucial to understand these are not bruises in the traditional sense (caused by traumatic impact). They are petechiae—broken capillaries caused by the suction. In TCM, the color and darkness of the marks are diagnostic:
Dark Purple: Suggests significant stagnation of Blood and Qi, often indicating long-standing cold or pain.
Bright Red: Suggests "Heat" or inflammation in the area.
Light Pink/Faint: Suggests healthy Qi and Blood flow or a mild condition.
These marks are generally painless and fade within a few days to two weeks.
Safety and Considerations
Performed by a Professional: When done by a trained TCM practitioner, fire cupping is very safe.
Temporary Marks: The circular marks are a normal, expected outcome.
Not for Everyone: It is not used on areas with broken skin, inflamed joints, or on patients with bleeding disorders, or who are pregnant.
