COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED

We use Acupuncture in our clinic to treat a vast array of complaints. Below is a list of commonly treated conditions/complaints. This is just a list of common conditions we see, so if your specific complaint or symptoms is not listed here, chances are we have seen people with your type of presentation or with something similar.  

• Back Pain
  
• Neck pain
  
• Shoulder pain 
  
• Hip pain 
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome 
• Sciatica
  
• Bulged or ruptured discs
• Arm and hand symptoms

• Arthritis
• Headaches
  
• Stress
• Depression
• Tennis elbow
• Migraines
• Anxiety
  
• Plantar fasciitis
• Interstitial cystitis

• Restless leg syndrome
  
• Neuropathy
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Fibromyalgia

• Acid reflux,
• Gerd
• Gastric distress

• Golfer's elbow
  
• Leg pain
• Foot pain
  
• Knee pain
  
• Patella-femoral disorder
• Achilles tendinitis 
• Heel pain
• Constipation

SERVICES

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the art of inserting sterile, single use disposable hair-thin needles into specific locations on the body to resolve pathology and help a person heal.  An acupuncture point is place on the body where qi (pronounced "chee") gathers and may be accessed. Many of these points correspond to neurovascular nodes, areas that contain a high concentration of sensory fibers, fine blood vessels, fine lymphatic vessels and mast cells. These nodes are distributed along longitudinal pathways of the body where the collateral blood vessels supply the capillaries and fine vessels. The corneum stratum of the skin in these areas is slightly thinner with a lower electrical resistance. They also contain more sensory nerves and have more fine vessels with sequestered mast cells than non nodes. 

Inserting the needles usually causes little in the way of discomfort. The number of needles and where they are placed varies depending on the patient's need, but the average treatment involves the insertion of fewer than 30 needles. Once the needles are in place, they are typically left for 20 minutes or so while you simply remain still. 

Studies have shown acupuncture affects the nervous system by stimulating the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, which respond by releasing neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin, the body's natural painkillers and "feel-good" chemicals. Other measurable physiological responses include enhanced blood circulation, decreased inflammation, and increased production of T-cells. 

Herbal Therapy

   Tui Na   

Moxa Therapy

Cupping

Chinese herbs are a vital component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They have been used for over 3000 years along with acupuncture. Studies show that when combined with acupuncture treatment results improve.  Chinese herbal therapy is unique due to the specific consideration given to the synergistic effect of herb combinations within each formula. Herbal prescriptions are based on the diagnostic criteria of Chinese medicine including a discussion of complaints, manifestation of symptoms, constitutional evaluation and examination of the tongue and pulse. The effects of each formula will be carefully monitored and adjusted accordingly. Herbs can be administered in different forms, raw, granules, pill, tincture, topical plaster and salve. Herbs are an additional cost to basic consultation and treatment. 

* Our herbs are sourced from companies with strict manufacturing specifications and tested for harmful pesticides, biological contamination and heavy metals. 

Please learn more and see specific manufacturing guidelines from the companies we use (click on links below):

Evergreen Herbs
KPC Herbs
Golden Flower
Blue Poppy Enterprises
Kan Herb

Tui Na is a 3000 year old form of Chinese manipulative therapy used in conjunction with acupuncture, herbal prescription, moxa therapy, cupping and qigong or as an independent treatment.

Often used after the application of acupuncture needles, Tui Na therapies include gliding, brushing, kneading, rolling, pressing, shaking, tapotement or traction upon all of the soft tissue especially along the acupuncture meridians and around the joints. Pressure can be both gentle or quite firm as is deemed appropriate for each guest and condition. 

Moxa therapy or moxibustion has been used alongside acupuncture for 3 thousand years. It is the burning of the dried plant mugwort. (artemisia vulgaris) and can be found in many forms, from moxa “wool” to moxa pressed into a charcoal stick. 

Moxa is used to strengthen the immune system, to warm the body and to bring more qi and blood flow to an area. Moxa is especially useful for the treatment of pain. 

Moxa is used both directly and indirectly, depending upon the intended effects. It is used to great effect in tandem with acupuncture points, enhancing and maximizing the effects of the acupuncture needles. In this case a small ball is rolled and place on the head an acupuncture needle and ignited. It burns for about 20-30 seconds until it extinguishes. This is repeated for a prescribed number of times.

Another method you may come across is the use of moxa with salt or ginger. A cone of moxa is placed on the umbilicus (belly button) over a thin layer of salt. The moxa is then lit, slowly and evenly generating heat. The salt diffuses the warmth, as well as preventing the heat from causing burns to the skin. Moxa therapy usually takes around 10-30 minutes, depending on the number of moxa cones used in the session. It is a comfortable sensation and usually very relaxing.

Moxa also comes in the form of charcoal sticks of various sizes. A practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, and moves it slowly over the area being treated. You may also come across moxa pressed into short towers (~1 cm) that can be placed on acupoints with an adhesive barrier. 

No matter which form of moxa therapy is used, precautions are always taken to protect the body and prevent burning the skin. 

There is a small inconvenience associated with moxa therapy: the smoke and odor. Our clinics are well equipped with a good ventilation and air purification systems so this is not a big problem however the lingering odor produced from burning mugwort unfortunately smells somewhat like marijuana.  Most TCM practitioners in the United States place small signs around their office to inform guests about the true nature of the odor that they may be noticing. 

Cupping involves the application of cups to the surface of the skin. The cups, made of glass, plastic, bamboo, or pottery, have smooth rims and diameters ranging from about one to three inches. A small amount of oil or liniment is applied to the areas to be cupped in order to protect the person’s skin. The cup is then applied with suction by briefly inserting a flame into the cup, then removing the flame quickly and immediately putting the cup onto the person’s body. The cup is not hot when it is applied; the flame is used only for the purposes of creating suction inside the cup. Cupping is usually applied to the person’s back, but may be applied to other areas depending on the condition. The treatment usually lasts five to ten minutes.

If a cup is left in one place, it often leaves a perfectly round reddish-purple mark. If the practitioner slides the cup around, it will often leave a broad band with ill-defined borders. Although these marks resemble bruises, they are generally not painful and the cupping process is not painful. The marks may last up to seven to ten days after a treatment. The amount of redness or purple color that arises varies from person to person according to their individual condition and the amount of time the cups are employed.

Gua Sha

Gua sha, also known as coining, can be performed with a variety of tools, all of which achieve similar results. These tools are smooth, round-edged, firm instruments similar to Chinese porcelain spoons. The practitioner applies oil or liniment to the area to be treated, then uses the tool to massage the patient. The skin is not broken; the tool slides along the surface of the skin. It may leave marks similar to those left by cupping.

Qigong 

Qigong (pronounced chee kung) is an alternative method of exercise and personal cultivation that can be utilized by all people regardless of age or condition to improve health, wellness and vitality. The gentle relaxing and restorative nature of this form of self care provides a much needed balm to the busy, stressful and often injurious routines of modern daily life including work, exercise and recreation. Benefits can be gained with as little as 5 minutes of daily practice and can be tailored to each clients specific constitution and circumstance.  Improved immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory,lymphatic and digestive function are all common.  When combined with the other components of traditional Chinese medicine qigong can significantly contribute to your personal journey towards reclaiming your health.  

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6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 206
 Nashville, TN 37209
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