The main areas for practice focus are:

Gastrointestinal | Dermatology  | Immune system | Chronic pain | Head & Neck |  

Below is a list of some common conditions that can be treated with acupuncture and functional medicine.  The more severe and chronic the condition, the longer the treatment time involved. An assessment or initial consultation is free, whether in person or on the phone.

• Irritable bowel
• Acid reflux; reflux esophagitis
• Immune system dysregulation
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach pain
• SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)
• Chronic constipation
• Fibromyalgia
• Joint and muscle pain
• Chronic neck, jaw, or head pain
• Back and hip pain
• Rotator cuff and shoulder problems
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Orofacial pain
• Headache or migraine
• Cervical spondylosis
• Eczema or dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Acne and acne rosacea
• Facial rejuvenation

This list is not comprehensive.  If you would like to discuss your specific health concerns, please use the contact form on the “Appointments” page. You will be contacted shortly.

Treatment Times:

Michelle typically sees patients on a long-term basis, particularly for issues that involve digestive or immune health.  This includes many pain conditions that are not responding well to medications, or that have become chronic.  A health plan for most patients will involve a weekly or bi-monthly course of acupuncture that can span anywhere from a few weeks to up to 2 or more years.

As patients improve, the frequency of treatment lessens.  Note that there are also many people who only require a couple of treatments to feel better, and may only be seen once or twice a year.  There is definitely a lot of variation, as the response time is quite individualistic and can fluctuate with stress, diet, lifestyle.

Focused Treatment on Thyroid:

Michelle has special and advanced training in thyroid disorders. Many women especially suffer from signs of thyroid problems and the common signs and symptoms include chronic fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, insomnia, and more. Using a plan that includes herbals, vitamins, minerals and enzymes is key to restoring the root of the problem. Lab testing may be advised and can be ordered through this clinic. Some insurances cover this cost as well.

       Packages:

Click on the picture or links to learn more.

“Skin is Yin Deep facials,” for anti-aging, acne, dermatitis, and other treatments that utilize topicals for specific skin conditions. She is certified as a Mei Zen practitioner, a cosmetic acupuncture system that helps to reduce fine lines, lift areas of sagging, and correct discoloration.  This system emphasizes the use of fine dermal needles for stimulating healing energies of meridians to correct imbalances, not only of skin but of the whole body.

“Immune System Health Plan” is for those persons who suffer with frequent bouts of flu, sinusitis, sore throats, fevers, or who have had epidemic type disease in the past.  Many supplements do not work at all times of the year.  Do you get sick at the same time every year? Tailoring a plan of treatment to strengthen weak meridians and organs can not only boost immunity, but also prevent recurrent illness.

“Metabolic Make-Over” – for patients who seek help with weight loss, and with glucose control and management.  Michelle uses advice based on Asian medicine and functional medicine to devise eating plans (not diets) to help you restore vital and healthy function. She can also help you clear your pantry of the not-so-good items and make way for foods that make you feel really well.

Chinese medicine is more than acupuncture. Please read or skim through some of the blog posts to learn more about the benefits of this wonderful medicine.  Using the most of the best of the greatest, each modality of TCM is employed when indicated.  This includes:

• Acupuncture of Chinese, Japanese, and auriculotherapy (ear)
• Acupressure (press and rub, or press and hold along the meridians). Especially useful for those with pain syndromes who will benefit from hands-on work.
• Gua sha (Vietnamese style scraping with ceramic or plastic implement). Used to disperse very stagnant energy, for example, fascial constrictions around muscles that restrict movement of joints. Usually performed on the back muscles.
• Cupping (placement of glass cups on back, legs, arms and abdomen to release areas of focal tension or stagnation).
• Moxibustion (warming technique using rolled herbal ingredients over the back or abdomen). Very helpful for internal Cold stagnation, for example, menstrual cramps, intestinal cramping, tight paraspinal muscles).
• Herbal medicine.  The advantages of herbal cures are significant and greatly underutilized in this country. Herbs enter into tissues without creating circulatory disturbances to the blood or organs, and gently yet profoundly alter blood chemistry to heal many conditions. Used for digestive, respiratory, immune system health, and even topically for dermatological conditions.