Acupuncture

Total Wellness Center offers a varying styles of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, therapeutic body work (including cupping, guasha and tuina), nutritional consultations, and instruction in Taiji, Qigong and meditation. With a lifetime of being physically active, his early focus was on orthopedic medicine and sports injury. He later broadened his focus to include GI issues, gynecology, male and female fertility, depression, anxiety, and more common ailments like colds and flus, as well as a variety of other ailments both common and uncommon.

Total Wellness Center now offers Wellness Packages that include Chakra-Balancing Acupuncture, Music/Color Therapy and a Personalized Wellness Binder and Treatment Plan that includes:

• Muscle Testing Diagnosis
• Ear-Eye-Tongue-Pulse Diagnosis
• Chakra Diagnosis and Self-Acupressure Techniques
• Personalized Nutrition Guide and suggested Herbal Formulas
• Personalized Exercise Plan/Qi-Gong Techniques

Other Packages are now available for creativity boost, anti-stress & energy boost, allergy-flu-sinus flush, and pain management.

Herbal Formulas are also available for any treatment upon request.

Top 10 things you probably didn’t know about Acupuncture:

1. Evidence that Acupuncture can help with over 40 different diseases (click here to view a full list).

The World Health Organization (WHO) in fact recognize that there are more than 40 different types of disease which can be effectively treated through Acupuncture, One benefit of using acupuncture is it effective in the process of identifying medical conditions which need attention and treatment.

2. Evidence of Acupuncture points and meridians existence found in photographs and MRIs.

How acupuncture works has been a great mystery to scientists, but now it appears that the use of acupuncture on pain-relief points cuts the blood flow to key areas of the brain within seconds, which provided the best explanation to date of how this ancient technique might help relieve pain and treat addictions. A team of researchers used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on approximately 20 healthy volunteers before, during and after acupuncture to determine the changes in blood flow and the amount of oxygen in blood. Acupuncture needles were applied on the hand linked to pain relief as in traditional Chinese medicine. Volunteers experienced heaviness in their hands within seconds as a side effect of blood flow decreasing to specific areas of the brain. The needles affected specific areas of the brain that were triggers for pain, mood and cravings. This should explain why acupuncture is a useful alternative to treating depression, eating problems, addictions and pain. The areas of the brain affected were loaded with dopamine, a "reward" chemical that produces intense reactions to anything from food to beautiful images and money. The slowing of the blood flow could lead to the dopamine effect that results in releasing endorphins that provide the brain with natural pain relieving and comforting chemicals.

In 1939 a special camera that needed no films or emulsion was developed that can take pictures with the flash of light between electrodes, called Kirlian photos. Since then other photographs have been taken using the same technology around people. The result is a picture of the “biological plasma body.” At the Kirov State University of Alma-Ata, a group of scientists declared that this is a whole, unified, ionized unit of energy around the body that is influenced by a magnetic field. These photos show the correlation between the electro-magnetic energy around the body and the meridian/acupuncture points. Research into electro-magnetic fields recently confirmed the energy lines seen as meridians in the body. Mikhail Gailin, a surgeon from Leningrag, was able to photograph his hands using Kirlian photography that showed the Acupuncture points on the skin of his hand.

For more info visit: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-03-03-acupuncture-blood-usat_x.htm

3. There are hundreds of thousands of Chinesese medical doctors worldwide.

China and Taiwan today play a leading role in developing traditional Chinese medicine. In these countries there are some 232,000 traditional Chinese medical doctors and 50 institutes producing 30,000 traditional Chinese medical doctors annually. There are 8500 Japanese doctors in the Oriental Medical Association and about 8000 acupuncturists in America; with 16 acupuncture schools, and 2 medical schools teaching acupuncture. UCLA medical school is currently teaching acupuncture to physicians. In Europe oriental medical research is very active and quite advanced. Spain, Germany, Austria and Italy all have very strong and active acupuncture centers. England has no organized acupuncture medical activity but there is a British Medical Acupuncture society which is quite active. France has pioneered ear acupuncture .

For more info visit: http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm

4. Acupuncture can be used as anesthesia.

This use of Acupuncture became popular when President Nixon was visiting China in 1972 and his friend, James Reston, a journalist for the New York times, had an emergency appendectomy. It was then President Nixon witnessed Acupuncture anesthesia. Acupuncture anesthesia enhance the sedative and analgesic effects of pharmaceuticals. Acupuncture can also help relieve the pain in general. The use of acupuncture anesthesia to complement medications has many advantages in pre-operative preparation of patients with co-existing diseases. This is especially evident in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases. Pre-operatively, acupuncture treatments can alleviate chronic symptoms and enhance responses to medications within a short period.

In order to use Acupuncture as anesthesia you must use Electro-Acupuncture. Electro-Acupuncture is the use of small electrical currents through the acupuncture needles. Sending electricity through the needles can help with other conditions as well, such as alleviating pain, decrease cysts, and promote overall local circulation to that area.

For more info click here.

5. Acupuncture can be used to induce labor and increase fertility.

There are roughly 10 common acupuncture points that are currently used to help stimulate labor when needed. Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some causes of infertility. It is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining. Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes, elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

For more info visit: http://www.innerfire.org/mt/archives/2004/10/can_acupuncture.html

6. In the state of California Acupuncturists are considered “Primary Care Physicians” and are covered by most insurances.

In 1996 in America, needles were removed from the "investigative" category to "accepted medical instruments". Being investigative, allowed insurance companies to deny payment for medical acupuncture treatment. There is a bill before congress with 12 sponsors to allow Medicare to pay for acupuncture treatments. The National Institute of Health for the first time has formed a department of Alternative Health care to provide needed research funding in alternative avenues of medical care.

For more info visit: http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm

7. Acupuncture is over 5,000 years old and its origins are found not just in China but also Egypt, South Africa, Middle East, Alaska, and Brazil.

The Egyptians talked about vessels that resembled the 12 meridians in 1550 B.C.. in their medical treatises called the Papyrus Ebera. The South African Bantu tribesman scratched parts of their bodies to cure disease. The Arabs cauterized their ears with hot metal probes. The Eskimos used sharp stones for simple acupuncture. Brazilian cannibals shot tiny arrows with blow pipes to diseased parts of their bodies to cure disease. Primitive sharp stones and bamboo were later replaced by fish bones, bamboo clips and later various shapes of needles made of metal. Around 700 A.D. the first medical school was set up in Salermo and some 300 doctors were instructed in acupuncture and massage.

For more info visit: http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm

8. The needles we use are always new, thin, and inserted superficially in the skin.

The needles used in Acupuncture treatments are never reused. They are very thin, about the width of a hair. It is common to feel a tingling or heavy sensation once the needle is in as energy arrives at that point. All the needles are individually packages, sterilized, and disposable. The Acupuncture points are located energetically around the surface of the skin (both above and below as the electro-magnetic body is both outside and inside our skin) so it is not necessary to insert the needle deep for results. Typical needle insertion is roughly ¼ of an inch.

9. Acupuncturists are trained to diagnose someone by their Ear, Tongue and Pulse.

The overall state of health in the body can be seen through different areas of the body, such as the eye, ear, and tongue. Both the ear and eye provide detailed information about what is happening inside the body and where. Iridology and Auricolotherapy are clinically proven and effective treatment modalities with the ear having a localized reflex system which is connected to the central nervous system. Iridology is the science of analyzing the delicate structures of the iris of the eye. Iridology reveals inflammation, where it is located and at what stage it is manifesting. The ear and eye represent a communication system capable of handling an amazing quantity of information. It reveals body constitution, inherent weaknesses, levels of health and the transitions that take place in a person's body according to the way one lives.

The tongue reveals the states of particular meridians systems along the body, dampness, excess cold or heat, dryness, deficiency of blood, and where blockages in the body may occur. For example, the tongue shown in this picture is slightly redder than a normal tongue. This indicates a patient who runs a bit hot and needs to get rid of excess heat in the body. The center crack shows that this patient tends to be more emotional and sensitive. The crack reaches down to the heart area of the body, which may imply he suffers from palpitations or insomnia. The other cracks surrounding the tongue imply that this patient body is dry and the lack of fluids created these cracks in the tongue. This is not surprising since we see the patient already has excess heat in the body, even the normal coating that exists on tongue is non-existent, another indication of heat. Also, the tongue is slightly deviated. This is an important observation since deviated tongues have been proven precursors to those who may suffer from future strokes.

10. Acupuncture can also be used for pets.

Just as people have Acupuncture points and energy lines called meridians around the body, so do animals as well. For large animals, acupuncture is again commonly used for functional problems such as musculoskeletal problems, nervous system problems, skin problems and more. In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinarians may legally administer to animals.

For more info visit: http://www.ivas.org/AboutUs/VetAcupuncture/tabid/83/Default.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Wellness and what does Acupuncture do?
How can removing blockages on the electro-magnetic level help heal our bodies on the emotional, physical, and spiritual level?
What other modalities besides Acupuncture can patients expect in a treatment?
Why offer front and back treatments?
How does diet affect our electromagnetic energy and our overall health? What foods should we be eating?
What is muscle testing and what does it do?

What is Wellness and what does Acupuncture do?

Wellness is treating the body as a whole entity (spiritual, emotional, and mental) and through proper treatment maintaining a healthy, disease free environment to thrive. Holistic medicine is ideal for prevention of disease and maintaining an overall healthy and strong immune system. For those who currently have a particular health concern Acupuncture and otherholistic modalities are used to remove blockages around the body. These blockages exist on the electro-magnetic level of the body and once the blockages are released on this level it soon affects not just the physical level, but emotional and spiritual levels as well. Acupuncture and holistic medicine may help with many conditions such as: quitting smoking, losing weight, pain, stress, depression, arthritis, allergies, infertility, fatigue, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, insomnia, acne, gastrointestinal disorders and many more.

How can removing blockages on the electro-magnetic level help heal our bodies on the emotional, physical, and spiritual level?

Some people refer to our electro-magnetic body as the area known as our aura. This aura is divided into main subsections of energy called chakras and meridians. Chakras and meridians are areas of the body in which our electromagnetic energy tend to focus and run the most energy. Because of this, these areas are also where blockages tend to occur most often in the body. Esoteric Acupuncture is a unique, modern type of Acupuncture where the acupuncture points selected help unblock both the meridians and balance the chakras in the body. Each chakra corresponds to different levels of energy. For example, our mental body is contained within the 3rd chakra called the solar plexus. If someone is having issues emotionally their 2nd chakra, called the sacral chakra, may be off balanced and through Esoteric Acupuncture and other holistic modalities we may be bring it back into balance.

What other modalities besides Acupuncture can patients expect in a treatment? Is there an alternative to Acupuncture for those that do not like needles?

Stephanie uses color therapy in conjunction with Acupuncture to achieve free flowing electromagnetic energy on all levels of the body. Special colored lights, called dinshaw colors, are used that correspond to particular chakras and meridian systems in the body. These special colors help open up blockages and boost the immune system. Also, if needed, tuning forks, which are specifically calibrated to each particular chakra, may be used. Magnets, Essential oils, and Flower Essences may be used for those who prefer not to use acupuncture needles. For those with pain infrared light may be used to relieve muscle and joint pain, improve flexibility and increase blood flow to tissues.

Why offer front and back treatments?

Unlike most holistic practitioners, Stephanie offers treatment on front and back sides of the body. This is because blockages in the body may occur in either the front, the back or both sides of the body. Also, if a chakra is off balance then it most often is unbalanced on both the front and back of the body and receiving treatment for both sides greatly strengthens the effects of the treatment. The goal of each treatment is to balance energy on all levels of the body. Once this is achieved it is up to the patient to maintain this balanced energy. Patients are offered tools on how to stay balanced through meditative techniques, exercise, supplements, and nutrition. Balancing your body’s energy trains it to eventually stay aligned on its own. The more someone uses energy healing, Acupuncture and the tools offered (like diet and exercise) the longer the body's energy stays balanced..

How does diet affect our electromagnetic energy and our overall health? What food should we be eating?

What we eat affects our bodies on all levels, including the physical, the emotional, mental, and spiritual. For example, one suffering from insomnia or depression might be easily fixed by simply changing one’s diet. The food we eat contains its own unique energy. If we consume processed foods we are consuming lifeless energy. If we eat more alive, raw vegetables the food retains some of its lifeforce through its natural vitamins and minerals already in the food. Although Stephanie recommends particular herbal formulas and supplements specifically for each patient, receiving vitamins, enzymes and minerals through fruits and vegetables is most beneficial to the body. Herbal formulas and supplements are recommended for those who do not get enough of the vitamins and minerals they need from the food they eat.

Most food we eat as Americans contain a much higher level of acidity than we actually need. If we can maintain a slightly alkaline state in our body through the food/herbs we eat then it becomes much more difficult for disease, inflammation, or emotional instability to occur. Stephanie offers nutrition advice aimed at putting the body back into its natural slightly alkaline state. Processed food, coffee, white sugar, beer, and cigarettes are all examples of things highly acidic in our body. However, green vegetables and certain vitamins and minerals help make the body more alkaline and also remove excess free radicals to help slow down the aging process and help enhance our body’s ability to fight other modern day factors such as pollution and radiation.

Putting the body into slightly alkaline through the food we eat helps with those trying to loose weight or build more muscle. This is because our body is eating more alive food and we are able to absorb more of the nutrients out of our food so that the need to eat more is eliminated. We then absorb more of the enzymes needed to build muscle. The amount of preservatives and sugars will be lessoned in our system, which naturally lessons our cravings for unhealthy foods and false appetites.

What is muscle testing and what does it do?

Muscle Testing uses one’s electrical system and muscles. If anything impacts your electrical system that does not enhance your health, your muscles, when having physical pressure applied, are unable to hold their strength. (Muscle power is directly linked to the balance of the electrical system.) If pressure is applied to an individual’s extended finger while his body’s electrical system is being adversely affected, the muscles will weaken and the finger will not be able to resist the pressure. The circuits of the electrical system are overloaded or have short-circuited, causing a weakening of that system. However, if pressure is applied while his electrical system is being positively affected, the circuits remain strong, balanced and capable of fully functioning throughout the body.

This electrical/muscular relationship is a natural part of the human system and is an established method for reading the body’s balance through the balance of the electrical system at any given moment.

If your fingers are able to be pulled apart when asking a question it is your subconscious answering for you. Muscle testing is very affective is finding the root of problems in your health. It can be used to find what areas of the body are weak or unhealthy, what vitamins or minerals you are lacking, what is the root of your emotional stress or instability, and what negative programs need to be released psychologically.