Services
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that was developed more than 5000 years ago and yet continues to meet our current health care needs. 

Chinese medicine is holistic in nature; i.e. it treats the individual as a whole. In this way, Chinese medicine addresses all aspects of the human being: the physical, the emotional and the spiritual. Each facet is considered to be affected by the disease process, and thus all are included in the treatment. This all-inclusive approach leads to more comprehensive healing and a improved sense of well-being. It also encourages the patient to become active in their healing process.

The focus in Chinese Medicine is on maintaining balance in the body, allowing for the free-flow of Qi (i.e. life-energy, pronounced “chee”) throughout the meridians of the body. According to TCM, there are numerous meridians (channels) located throughout the body, similar to highways on a road map, each of which is associated with specific organs and carries Qi within it. When there is a blockage or lack of Qi in one or more of these meridians, Qi cannot flow properly, and the result is illness. The goal of TCM is to foster the proper movement of Qi, allowing the body to balance and begin healing itself, simultaneously treating the health concern directly and its underlying causes.

Traditional Chinese Medical Treatments are often a combination of:

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Acupuncture
"If there is free flow, there is no pain. If there if pain, there is no free flow."

Acupuncture is the gentle and painless insertion of tiny sterile needles into acupuncture points along the body that have been thoughtfully selected based on your health concerns and diagnoses. It is the insertion of these needles that allows for the practitioner to trigger a change within the meridians which facilitates the movement of Qi, in turn promoting healing with minimal to no side effects.

Acupuncture is most popular in its effectiveness when alleviating pain. 
It also helps treat the following conditions:
•  Emotional and psychological issues
• Circulatory disorders
• Immune systems support
• Allergies/asthma
• Fatigue and sleep disorders
• Arthritis
• PMS
• Digestive disorders
• Fertility & pregnancy symptoms
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Reduction of side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment
• Addiction


Why Does Acupuncture Work?
There have been several proposed scientific explanations for acupuncture’s effects, primarily for its effect on pain. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) into releasing chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body’s self-regulating systems. The biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

Western science suggests there are three main mechanisms for acupuncture’s effects:
1. Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby reducing pain.
2. Changes in brain chemistry, sensation, and involuntary body functions: Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Acupuncture also has been documented to affect the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes whereby a person’s blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature are regulated.
3. Changes in blood flow: Acupuncture and Oriental medicine alters the circulation of blood to the affected area, resulting in removal of pain-causing chemicals, and restoring normal function to the area being treated.

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Herbal Medicine
“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while Nature cures the disease.”
–Voltaire
Herbal medicine is used for an array of disorders in the body including digestion imbalances, headaches, body pains, inflammatory syndromes, menstrual disorders, autoimmune disorders, migraines, sleep disorders, and more.
Chinese herbal medicines treat the underlying causes of illness, in addition to the individual symptoms. Chinese herbs focus on correcting the underlying dysfunction of certain organs and unhealthy body patterns. The goal of herbal therapy is to bring the body back into a state of balance and restore proper energy.

The Chinese herbal formulas prescribed are customized to your exact needs and change as your condition improves. 

Nutritional Counseling
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Chinese Medicine places a strong emphasis on nutrition and self care when working to cultivate health, strengthening the body, and in the treatment and prevention of disease.   
A significant part of a treatment plan is to discuss what patients can do outside of the clinic to support their healing process.  

Food can assist or hinder our daily efforts to maintain health and recover from illness.
It is not just a matter of eating nourishing healthy food, but also of eating food that is right for one’s individual constitution.
In many cases, what the patient needs in order to avoid recurrence of their symptoms is to undertake certain lifestyle changes. These changes, like all positive change, require information, knowledge, and choice. Once information is received and knowledge developed, then it is up to the individual to practice daily positive choices that lead to lasting improvement in their health, until it becomes second nature.

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Adjunctive Techniques
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient technique in which a vacuum (via fire or suction) is created within cups that are then placed over certain parts of the body; typically areas where muscle fibers are more prominent (e.g. legs, arms, and back). The cups are either left stationary or are moved with the aid of lotion. While cupping is typically painless, it can create a sensation of tightness, leave circular bruise-like marks, and produce temporary mild muscular soreness.

Cupping targets acupuncture points as well as painful body parts, and is much like the inverse of massage–rather than applying pressure to muscles, it uses gentle pressure to pull them upward.
Cupping is one of the best deep-tissue therapies available. It is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the external skin. Toxins can be released, blockages can be cleared, and veins and arteries can be refreshed within four inches of the targeted area.

The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood and lymph flow, and sedate the nervous system.
Handheld gentle facial cupping may also be used to treat TMJ, and sinus pressure.

Generally, cupping is combined with acupuncture in one treatment, but it can also be used alone.

Cupping is beneficial for:
• Back pain 
• Neck pain
• Stiff muscles
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Immune systems support
• Arthritis
• Cellulite 
• Respiratory conditions

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Gua Sha
Gua Sha is an instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface, typically the back, neck, arms, and legs. 

Gua Sha encourages circulation of blood and qi, the removal of metabolic waste in the skin and muscle tissues, and the breaking up of scar tissue. It alleviates various painful conditions–especially muscle, tendon, ligament, & connective tissue disorders, namely sports injuries. It is used to enhance the immune response, combat respiratory issues, and in some cases lessen menstrual pain.

All in all, Gua Sha is a unique method which promotes longevity and is often combined with acupuncture in one treatment, but can be used as a standalone treatment.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a an ancient technique that involves the burning of mugwort (a dried moss also called artemesia vulgaris) to facilitate healing by nourishing blood, assisting in the movement of Qi, warming the body if cold is present, and strengthening overall health.  

Studies have shown that moxa can help turn babies that present in the breech position before childbirth as well as assist in alleviating other gynecological conditions, such as cramping, irregular bleeding, and more.

Moxa is also beneficial for pain due to injury or arthritis, digestive problems and irregular elimination, and immunity support against cold and flu symptoms.

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Tui-Na
Tui-Na methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body to directly affect the flow of Qi.

This technique is very beneficial in reducing the pain from neck, shoulder, hip, back, arm, leg, and ankle. It is a very effective therapy for arthritis, pain, sciatica, and muscle spasms. 

Tui-Na is not generally used for relaxation, but rather as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony. 

E-Stim
E-Stim is an easy-to-use portable electro-therapy unit in which electrodes are attached to the acupuncture needles to deliver either a continuous frequency or pulse to the targeted area.This is highly effective for pain relief.

When compared to traditional acupuncture methods, E-Stim provides an alternative means to stimulate the points and enhance the qi without manual manipulation.

This method has been proven to promote the flow of qi and blood, relieve pain, and warm the muscles, removing blood stasis (a blockage or poor circulation). While E-Stim may be used as a component of almost all acupuncture treatments, it is has garnered particularly exceptional results regarding the treatment of neurological diseases, chronic pain, injury, spasms, and paralysis.

Injection Therapy
Injection Therapy is an integrative therapy that blends the best of Chinese Medicine with conventional and homeopathic medicine. Employing this technique, Erica Sanes injects natural therapeutic substances such as homeopathic remedies or vitamin B-12 into acupuncture points specific to your wellness needs.

Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy Treatments: 
• Traumeel (by Heel): Muscular pain, joint pain, sports injuries and bruising 
• Zeel (by Heel): Mild to moderate arthritic pain, osteoarthritis and joint stiffness 
• Engystol (by Heel): Stimulates the nonspecific defense system in viral infections such as influenza, cold sores and feverish conditions 
• Spascupreel: Muscle spasms and cramps
• Vitamin B12: Pernicious anemia, neurological disorders like progressive memory loss and lethargy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, helps reduce the risk of heart diseases and strokes

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Facial Rejuvenation
Relax. Refresh. Renew.
Facial Rejuvenation is a non-surgical anti-aging solution for rejuvenating the face and revitalizing the whole body using a mixture of facial acupuncture, facial cupping, and facial Gua Sha.

This painless, non-surgical method improves the skin’s elasticity, increases blood flow, and leaves the skin with an effusive glow. Facial rejuvenation helps to improve muscle tone and dermal contraction in the face and neck. Facial coloring can be restored, bags under the eyes toned and reduced, and most importantly, wrinkles will plump up and reverse as the blood flow is circulated and collagen production is stimulated throughout your face and neck. Founded on the principles of Chinese medicine, it is a natural, noninvasive method of addressing both the outward manifestations of aging and its inner root causes.

Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation can:
• Lighten deeper wrinkles and eliminate fine lines
• Lift sagging eye lids, reduce bags/circles
• Enhance muscle tone and boost collagen production
• Lessen a double chin and tighten jowls
• Eliminate puffiness via metabolism enhancement and draining excess fluids
• Treat acne and re-balance hormones
• Bring color to the face by boosting circulation of blood and lymph flow
• Tighten pores and re-balance the skin’s moisture
• Lessen appearance of scars and age spots
• Reduce the appearance of stress in the face
• Work on the root causes of aging to slow its progress
• Aid stress, digestion, and circulation
• Increase overall well-being and general health

Forget the harsh chemicals and life-threatening procedures. To restore your skin to its youthful vigor, try Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation!

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Sound and Color Therapy:
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” 
 -Nikola Tesla

This is a service that spans several realms of healing: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual.

Sound therapy is the therapeutic use of sound, vibration, and frequency to induce change in the body on a physical, emotional, and cellular level.
 
The body has its own rhythmic patterns, and there is growing evidence that the rhythms of the heart, brain, and other organs enjoy a special synchronicity. Illness and imbalanced emotional responses can arise when these inner rhythms are disturbed. Sound therapy sends vibration and frequency to where the body has fallen out of sync, essentially feeding the body its missing frequency so it can re-balance and re-align.

Sound therapy is felt on a physical level via the deep vibrations traveling through muscle, tissue, and organs, easing physical tension. It is beneficial for opening circulation and lymphatic flow, and breaking down built-up lactic acid. 

The tools implemented are also used to create overtones that allow the client to drift into a deeper relaxed state where brainwaves, heart rate, and respiratory rates all slow and allow for a more contemplative consciousness to awaken.

Color therapy is the therapeutic use of full-spectrum colored lights, colored silks, and color glasses to induce change in the body on a physical and energetic level. Color therapy is used to assist in the healing of mental, emotional, and physical issues and restore the whole person to health and harmony. 

Full-spectrum colored lights are directed on the face, acupuncture points, and other reflex zones on the body, in order to activate inherent healing pulses of energy in the body and in the color being applied. 

How it works:
Light is made up of tiny particles that travel in a wavelike formation at consistent speeds. Each wavelength of light communicates information through its steady stream of signal transmission, however each wavelength’s respective color provides its own specific and unique information. This is how light and color are believed to be capable of influencing our human systems. For example, red light signals the brain to increase melatonin production, while blue light can trigger lower respiration rates and lower blood pressure.

Light enters the body through the eyes and the skin and plays an important role in stimulating and supporting the immune system, the endocrine system, the pineal gland and other sectors of the brain and organs, essentially activating the delicate impulses regulated by these areas. These physical systems are involved in formulating our psychological and emotional responses, which is why the metabolization of light and the physiological response to light is so profound. 

"The universe is asking… Show me your new vibration, I will show you miracles."

Sound and color therapy has shown beneficial results in calming anxiety, balancing emotional reactivity, shifting depression, building emotional strength, improving sleep, clearing mental fog, improving the sense of well-being and relieving physical and emotional responses embedded by trauma. 
 
In many cases, responses are much more physical, such as helping to shift digestive imbalances, soothe respiratory issues, and release physical tension.

This therapy is ideal for those afraid of needles, children/young adults, those struggling with emotional imbalances, and those recovering from trauma.

Sound and Color Therapy is typically a standalone therapy but can also be used in conjunction with acupuncture.

What are the benefits of Sound & Color Light Therapy?
• Reducing stress
• Increasing energy levels
• Balancing brain-wave activity
• Assisting trauma recovery
• Overcoming fears
• Shifting depression
• Pain management
• Easing sleep disorders
• Boosting mental clarity
• Rebalancing digestive imbalances
• Respiratory issues
• Increasing self-esteem and well-being
• Boosting Creativity
• Balancing emotions
• Improving immune systems
• Managing ADHD/Autism spectrum disorders