Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine is a new model for medical education and practice and has often been referred to as 21st Century Medicine. The practice is anchored in the examination of the underlying influences that contribute to disease processes. The model is built on the pursuit to uncover these influences and provides a framework to support the patient’s recovery through education, customized nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
Comprehensive evaluations including metabolic and nutritional assessments along side a well-structured treatment plan have come to be the foundation of our approach. This serves as an initial baseline to not only track the therapeutical value of our protocols but to also encourage patient compliance in order for a successful resolution of any underlying dysfunctional patterns.
Benefits of Scientific Testing
- Provides a baseline to track the therapeutic value of treatment protocols
- Provides a proactive approach to wellness that identifies metabolic imbalances before they become chronic disease
- Identifies areas of imbalances not typically found in standard lab tests
- Patients no longer need to hear “there’s nothing wrong”
- Promotes health care, not disease care!
- Testing leads to customized nutrition which will support and augment other therapies
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in China for more than 3000 years to successfully diagnose, treat and prevent disease. The theory and practice of Acupuncture are part of the comprehensive system of Chinese Medicine developed by observing the relationship between nature and human beings.
Acupuncture points allow entry into channels to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease body’s vital substance – energy – thus correcting many of our body’s imbalances. Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It also affects the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid, and production of red and white blood cells. It also stimulates the release of a variety of hormones that help the body to respond to injury and stress.
Needling and pressing (acupressure) the acu-points on the meridians regulates the health of the organ systems, and thereby positively effecting the health of the patient. Acupuncture promotes healing in local, regional and systemic physiology. As a result of this complex interweaving model of human physiology, acupuncture therapy can play a significant role in the healing process of numerous health conditions.
A course of acupuncture therapy can vary. Depending on the depth, severity and duration of a given condition, a course of treatment may range from a couple visits to several visits. For management and maintenance of chronic conditions, acupuncture therapy may be part of an ongoing health plan. Wellness and prevention acupuncture therapy may take place monthly, seasonally, or as needed.
Moxabustion
Moxabustion is the process whereby moxa – a dried herb, usually the species mugwort – is burned, either directly on the skin, or just above the skin, over specific acupuncture points relative to a condition. A very common form of indirect moxabustion uses moxa sticks, which resemble large cigars or incense sticks. These are lit and held about an inch above the point or area to be treated. They are usually rotated or turned quickly toward, and then away from the skin. When lit, moxa burns slowly and provides a penetrating heat that can enter the channels, or meridians to influence qi and blood flow.
Cupping
A method of heat stimulation in which small warm cups are placed on the skin in order to increase local blood supply. There are two types of cupping- stationary, where cups are placed on the body and left there; and moving — where the cups are manipulated during the treatment. Cupping increases blood flow to certain areas and as such, helps remove impurities from nearby tissues and organs. It also draws unwanted Qi — life energy — to the body’s surface, where it is dispersed.
Therapeutic Massage
Where the typical Western massage focuses mostly on the external physical body, the goal of Eastern massage is to treat the whole person in his entirety and restore the patient to a state of balance. Through acupressure, kneading, and breath-work, Eastern massage combines gentle, yoga-like stretching with massage of the muscles, tendons, pressure points and energy lines—also known as sen.
The method is based on the philosophy that each human has an infinite number of energy channels running through the body. If these lines become blocked or broken, you are more susceptible to disease or injury and will experience various other symptoms because your body is not functioning properly.