acupuncture
Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality that has been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicine systems of East Asia. Today, acupuncture is used in integrative healthcare settings around the world to treat a wide range of conditions, acute and chronic, from back pain to high blood pressure to the common cold. Acupuncture points lie on planes called meridians, which pattern along fascial lines and connect to the body’s internal systems. In an acupuncture treatment, I will gently stimulate therapeutic points on the surface of the body to increase circulation and to encourage your body’s innate regenerative capacity. When called for, I may also employ other hands-on East Asian Medicine modalities, including cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion. My needling style and quality of touch are gentle and receptive, and I have worked with individuals with a wide range of sensitivities to invite an embodied sense of comfort and ease.
herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is a highly beneficial adjunctive therapy to acupuncture for deep seated and chronic conditions. If you do not live local to the Bay Area, or if you would prefer a consultation from the comfort of your home, we can schedule a telehealth session and I will prescribe you a custom herbal formula. My treatments are based on formulations that have been empirically developed over thousands of years and clinically tested in modern times. Each formula is custom fit for the individual, to treat the whole person as opposed to the pathology. The suppliers I work with are committed to sourcing from GAP (good agricultural practices) certified farms and ethical wildcrafters. All products are GMP certified and free from pesticides and heavy metals.
nutrition counseling
Food was my entry point into traditional medicine systems. The more I learn, the more I know that there is no right way to eat food, and I continue to cultivate an attitude of curiosity, humility, and non-judgement. I work with people who face a wide range of challenges, from terminal illness to chronic complaint, as well as those seeking to optimize athletic or cognitive performance. My approach is highly individualized and will depend on your current state of health, your relationship with food, and your goals for your wellbeing. I would love to support you to better access gut-knowing and to spark your authentic appetite. Learning how to eat in a life-affirming way has been a healing path for me personally. I bring to this work over a decade of exploration and self experimentation, five years of experience as a chef in commercial kitchens and bakeries, and four years of clinical nutrition practice through the diagnostic lens of East Asian Medicine.
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
In a review of controlled clinical trials, the World Health Organization lists a myriad of evidence-based uses for acupuncture. That said, in the eyes of East Asian Medicine, every individual is a unique and complete whole, and so the treatment of these patterns of dis-ease will vary from person to person. This personal yet universal approach is part of why acupuncture is so effective. The following is not a comprehensive list, so please reach out if you’re curious whether acupuncture is right for you.
Pain: back and neck pain, sciatica, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and acute sprains, sports injuries, postoperative pain
Stress and Psycho-Emotional Support: anxiety, depression, PTSD
Neurological Conditions: headaches, migraines, insomnia, neuralgia, stroke recovery, Bell’s Palsy
Respiratory Conditions: allergies, asthma, colds and flus, tonsillitis, sinusitis
Digestive Conditions: gastritis, gastric pain, GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Chrohn’s, gallstones
Cardiovascular Conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis
Reproductive Conditions: dysmenorrhea (period pain), PMS, irregular menstruation, infertility, benign prostate hyperplasia
Pregnancy Support: morning sickness, breach baby (before 35 weeks), pre and post partum, insufficient lactation and mastitis
Chemical Dependency: alcohol and substance dependence, smoking cessation
Support of Cancer Care: symptoms of cancer treatment, including nausea due to chemotherapy and radiation, neuropathy, and fatigue
Rates
My current rates can be found on my booking page here. If you would like a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) before beginning treatment, I am happy to provide one upon request. Please note that the cost of an herbal formula is not included in the treatment price and can range from $10+tax to $70+tax per week depending on formulation and frequency of dosing, as well as the severity of the condition
Insurance
Though I do not bill insurance directly at this time, I will provide a Super Bill upon request which you can submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider. I recommend that you contact your provider for details about your individual plan and coverage.