Available Treatments
Acupuncture is a treatment of trigger point stimulation with very fine sharp needles, or pins. If one remains relaxed, the entry of the needle is not felt usually, but various sensations, some pleasant and some not so pleasant, occur with the bodily reaction at the trigger point. Of course, if the problem is localized pain, the trigger point may trigger that pain or other symptom for a few seconds. This is very beneficial to get the body to react in the right way to speed healing. Electrical stimulation and heat may be added to the treatment for various purposes if needed. The needles are high quality disposable needles used only once. Trigger point or dry needle myofascial release may also be performed. Moxibustion is a method of stimulating the acupuncture points with heat from lit herbs, and is often used indirectly without needles. This treatment is also available in the San Francisco office. Stimulation of trigger points with surface electrical stimulation, utilizing modern feedback technology, is available in the South San Francisco office.
TuiNa physiotherapy, including myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization, is generally less intense than chiropractic manipulations but deeper and more intense than common massage. It targets tissues that are injured or inflamed, and because of this may be uncomfortable at times until these tissues become healthier. As the therapy progresses, usually very quickly, these injured or inflamed tissues are able to heal properly, and so the therapy becomes more pleasant and soothing, and you are thus certain that the therapy is working well. Therapeutic massage, called An Mo in China, and Shia Tsu in Japan, is also available if requested. Energetic treatments, or Qi Gong, may also be combined with massage, if requested, and are always a part of needle stimulation.
Patient instruction in therapeutics is an important part of the treatment protocol. Correction of postural mechanics (ergonomics) and sleep posture may be integral to the prevention of future injury in repetitive and postural stress syndromes, and dietary considerations may be very important to progress with chronic diseases and prevention of common health problems. Targeted stretch and excercise is often just as important as clinic therapies when recovering from tissue injuries, and expertise in this area helps the patient to understand and achieve great success. Often, patient teaching and discussion helps to achieve greater success with cognitive and behavioral changes that are needed for a healthier life. If requested, time spent to instruct in simple Qi Gong techniques to promote a better mind-body healing are available as well.
Herbal medicine and dietary supplements are used, if desired, to speed healing, and may be taken as pills, powders, tinctures, topical ointments or decocted from the raw herbs themselves. TCM generally relies on herbal formulas of 5-15 herbs carefully combined to increase the positive effect and avoid any ill effects, but single herbs are also used if needed. The professional prescription of herbal medicines is of high quality and virtually no harm has been recorded from such professional prescription over the last 30 years. This use of professional prescription is much safer and insures quality compared to the self medication of commercially available herbs and supplements that are poorly regulated by the FDA. Each year, scientific study of herbal chemistry and nutrient medicine makes great leaps forward, and my practice is based on current research evidence as well as traditional empirical evidence and clinical guidelines.
To learn more about this array of therapies, go to the section on this website entitled TREATMENTS.