chinese medicine

Can we call it "chiropuncture"? It just rolls off the tongue.

Chiropractic and acupuncture are the peanut butter and jelly sandwich of integrative medicine.

Chiropractic treatments focus on adjusting the spine to correct vertebral misalignments based within the nervous system.  If a vertebra is impinging on a nerve, it can cause disorders much further than just numbness or tingling. Think digestive issues, chronic headaches, even sinus issues. A chiropractor is able to adjust the spine and alleviate these obstructions.

Acupuncture comes in to help in two ways. First, acupuncture easily manipulates the soft tissues surrounding the spine to allow for an easier and longer lasting chiropractic adjustment. Secondly, it improves the function of the nerves that are now working properly after an adjustment. 

In other words, the acupuncturist gets the muscles to release their grip on the affected bones and joints. Once there’s room for the bone to go back to its proper place, the chiropractor places it there. Now that the nerve is able to function again, the needles get it to do so quickly.

That’s just the most basic of care that we can provide you. There’s also gua sha/graston and fire cupping which further releases the soft tissues and breaks up stagnation. Active Release Technique is a movement based massage that treats problems of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Electrical stimulation attaches to an acupuncture needle inserted into a muscle’s trigger point, which acts as a defibrillator (of sorts) for the muscle, getting it to “restart” and stop causing discomfort. Herbal medicine is personalized to each patient’s constitution and continues the healing while between treatments.

And this is why I am so excited to be seeing patients at Grow Chiropractic every Monday, Wednesday through Friday in Rancho Bernardo. I’m able to work alongside both Dr. Marc Grow and Dr. Ian Cooke to provide my patients with the most thorough treatments for their optimal health. Call (858) 433-5588 to schedule your appointments today!

Last week in Chinese Medicine - Youyou Tu

Photo courtesy of NobelPrize.org

Photo courtesy of NobelPrize.org

Eighty-four year old Youyou Tu was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of the anti-malarial drug Artemisinin. This discovery is badass for a multitude of reasons:

1. She is the first Chinese woman to win this award. And this isn’t her first award! She’s been winning since 1980.

2. She is trained and educated in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and pharmacology and is NOW the Chief Professor at the Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. This means she’s not only a scientist and a researcher but a Chinese medicine practitioner as well.

3. She spent decades combing through thousand year old texts (ones still used in acupuncture schools today) and testing hundreds of herbal formulas before discovering that Qing Hao – Artemisia Annua or Wormwood- holds the chemical compound that 100% kills the malaria parasite.

4. Her father named her Youyou after the Chinese saying “The deer bleat ‘youyou’ while they are eating the wild hao”. Her dad literally named her after the herb. Awesome coincidence.

5. A panel of 50 scientists voted that this researcher’s herbal discovery was worth a Nobel Prize.

6. She reminds me of my old supervisor, Dr. Wei. A tough cookie with a plethora of knowledge.

7. This discovery has saved millions of lives.

So if anyone ever says that Chinese herbal medicine isn’t legit like pharmaceuticals, I dare you- say that to Youyou’s face. 

Here, let me just smooth that out for you...

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture! I've had a lot of questions about this subject so here's the end-all be-all of information about perkin' you up. 

How does it work? The point of facial acupuncture is to naturally and safely erase years off of that gorgeous mug of yours. Instead of injecting muscle-paralyzing toxic syrups into your face, I have your skin improve itself.  Using different acupuncture points as well as placing the needles directly into the wrinkle/scar/blemish, your skin reacts by increasing collagen production and blood flow. This reaction is what reduces the wrinkles and scars. I also utilize Gua Sha to relax the facial muscles and further increase blood flow (which increases the health of your skin). On top of the local needles in the face, I also work on the underlying problems that are attributing to your face's health. Whether it be hormonal, stress-related, or simply just your age, you get a complete treatment. And if it's appropriate, I'm also a licensed herbalist and can find the best formula for you.

What are the benefits? The main benefit would have to be that your own body's reaction is what helps achieve a more healthy look and feel to your skin. You aren't being injected with a pretty dangerous toxin, you aren't being cut open, and you aren't just covering your problem areas with makeup. This is a much more permanent solution without taking drastic measures. 

Who reaps the benefits? A variety of people! Facial rejuvenation is great for wrinkles, fine lines, frown lines, smile lines, acne blemishes, and acne scars. This isn't just for deep rooted problems either... this is great as a preventative measure. 

So what's the plan? Typically, I ask that my patients dedicate twelve weeks to these treatments. Come in once a week for a 45 minute treatment for twelve weeks in a row. Then after this more 'intense' regimen, we can go down to once-a-month maintenance appointments. 

Mkay, now what's the cost? Firstly, come on in for a free thirty minute consultation. This isn't a hook-line-sinker meeting where I try to sell you a package. We just go over the basics: your health, your habits, and your skin. That way we can get a clear idea of how many appointments you may need and how well you will respond to and benefit from the program. Once we get you scheduled, each 45 minute appointment is only $75. 

And hey! Popsugar wrote an article about it too! http://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Skin-Care-Benefits-Acupuncture-37224421#photo-37224421

 

facial rejuve
Facial rejuvenation for acne scars and an added bonus of crazy eyes!

Facial rejuvenation for acne scars and an added bonus of crazy eyes!