About Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine is a time-tested, effective, and truly holistic system of medicine that can safely treat a wide range of conditions, without side effects. This is accomplished when the practitioner finds the root imbalance that is resulting in the patient’s condition, and then treats that root imbalance through acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities. In addition to correcting the underlying imbalance, regular acupuncture can greatly alleviate the resulting symptoms. Chinese Medicine also works wonderfully to prevent disease, and to promote general wellness and vitality. Thus, a person does not need to “have something wrong” in order to benefit from this elegant form of medicine. While I successfully treat a wide range of conditions, I specialize in treating mood disorders/emotional imbalances and women's health for all cycles of a women's life.
Chinese Medicine is comprised of five different healing modalities, or "branches". I use all of these branches in my practice:
*Acupuncture: the insertion of single use, sterile needles into specific points to promote healing. Acupuncture sessions may include moxibustion, a form of heat therapy.
*Herbal Remedies: traditional Chinese herbal formulas prescribed in pill, powder, and extract form. In addition to traditional Chinese herbs, I am trained in, and will often prescribe, western herbs.
*Qigong: a gentle form of exercise that strengthens and moves the internal energy--the Qi-- of the body.
*Nutritional Consultation: individualized dietary recommendations and recipes are given based on the patient’s specific health concerns and body constitution.
*Bodywork: the use of specific tools, as in cupping and guasha, to promote circulation and reduce pain, as well as hands-on massage.
In addition to these Chinese Medicine modalities, I also offer:
*Women's seasonal writing circles
These intimate seasonal circles incorporate simple elements of ritual, meditation, guided journaling, and sharing. These circles are guided by the flow of the seasons, the teachings of the Five Elements, and different archetypes of the sacred feminine.
*Gentle and personalized cleanse programs (every Spring and Autumn)
*Lifestyle/spiritual consultation
Beyond nutritional and herbal consultation, I also go a little deeper in what I suggest, when I sense that there is an openness and need in the client. One thing that clients have told me sets me apart from other practitioners they've worked with is that I take time to really talk to, and be present with, my clients. I suggest what shifts they can make and what practices they can do to live a more balanced inner and outer life. I often will offer some kind of inner "homework" to this end, so that the healing extends outside of the treatment room and into one's daily life. For this kind of work I draw upon both my intuition as well as the many different wisdom traditions I've studied over the years: the Five Elements from Chinese Medicine, Buddhism and mindfulness, nature-teachings and seasonal alignment, and body-based awareness practices, including qigong. Lifestyle and/or spiritual counsel is often included in my acupuncture sessions, but it can also be scheduled as a stand-alone in a consultation session.
*Flower Essence Consultations and Treatments
Flower essences are medicines made by infusing different flowers in water and sunlight, and then diluting and preserving that essence. They are highly diluted, similar to how homeopathic remedies are highly diluted. But the process of dilution does not make flower essences an ineffective type of medicine. It means that they work at a deeper level, primarily helping in facilitating shifts in consciousness, rather than physiological/biochemical shifts. This makes them the perfect tool for people seeking spiritual growth and emotional healing.
A flower essence consultation consists of three main components:
1. ) Heart-to-heart discussion
We start by discussing whatever it is that you are currently struggling with, whether it is on the mental, emotional, and/or spiritual level. These types of challenges could range from anything like "I'm so confused about my path in life" to "I'm tired of being so impatient and snappy with my kids" to "My heart is weary from all the suffering on this planet."
Even if it's hard for you to articulate what the challenge is, and you know that you just feel "off" in life, I will help you uncover the heart of what's troubling you in a safe and nurturing conversation. This deep listening process is at the core of a flower essence consultation with me.
2.) Formulation of your custom blend
After our discussion, I will then make your custom blend of flower essences. The blend will be made in a dropper bottle and will generally consist of 2 to 4 different essences. As I make the blend, I will explain why I chose each essence, and how each of the essences relates to your unique healing journey. Many of the flower essences I use are ones that I've made myself, using flowers from our land here in Happy Valley. In addition to my handcrafted essences, I also use high quality brands such as Bach, F.E.S., and Alaskan Essences. When you leave the session you will have the blend ready to start using in your daily life.
3.) Prescription: personalized guidance on how to use your essence blend
The traditional method of using flower essences is to either put a few drops directly onto the tongue, or to add a few drops to water and drink that water throughout the day. While I see great value in these traditional methods, in our consultation together I will offer additional methods for using flower essences. I will provide specific meditation practices and affirmation suggestions that you can use to integrate your essence blend into your personal healing path.
I will also show you specific acupuncture points that complement the properties of the flower essences in your blend, and will teach you how to apply your essence blend to these places on your body, as these points can be used as little portals into the soul. This self-healing practice of applying flower essences to acupuncture points is a powerful way to deeply tune into and be empowered by your body's innate healing wisdom.
A Floral "Acupuncture" Treatment includes the consultation and custom blend, but also includes a 20 minute treatment in which I apply the essences onto acupuncture points, much like an acupuncture treatment, but using gentle acupressure instead of needles.
Chinese Medicine is a time-tested, effective, and truly holistic system of medicine that can safely treat a wide range of conditions, without side effects. This is accomplished when the practitioner finds the root imbalance that is resulting in the patient’s condition, and then treats that root imbalance through acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities. In addition to correcting the underlying imbalance, regular acupuncture can greatly alleviate the resulting symptoms. Chinese Medicine also works wonderfully to prevent disease, and to promote general wellness and vitality. Thus, a person does not need to “have something wrong” in order to benefit from this elegant form of medicine. While I successfully treat a wide range of conditions, I specialize in treating mood disorders/emotional imbalances and women's health for all cycles of a women's life.
Chinese Medicine is comprised of five different healing modalities, or "branches". I use all of these branches in my practice:
*Acupuncture: the insertion of single use, sterile needles into specific points to promote healing. Acupuncture sessions may include moxibustion, a form of heat therapy.
*Herbal Remedies: traditional Chinese herbal formulas prescribed in pill, powder, and extract form. In addition to traditional Chinese herbs, I am trained in, and will often prescribe, western herbs.
*Qigong: a gentle form of exercise that strengthens and moves the internal energy--the Qi-- of the body.
*Nutritional Consultation: individualized dietary recommendations and recipes are given based on the patient’s specific health concerns and body constitution.
*Bodywork: the use of specific tools, as in cupping and guasha, to promote circulation and reduce pain, as well as hands-on massage.
In addition to these Chinese Medicine modalities, I also offer:
*Women's seasonal writing circles
These intimate seasonal circles incorporate simple elements of ritual, meditation, guided journaling, and sharing. These circles are guided by the flow of the seasons, the teachings of the Five Elements, and different archetypes of the sacred feminine.
*Gentle and personalized cleanse programs (every Spring and Autumn)
*Lifestyle/spiritual consultation
Beyond nutritional and herbal consultation, I also go a little deeper in what I suggest, when I sense that there is an openness and need in the client. One thing that clients have told me sets me apart from other practitioners they've worked with is that I take time to really talk to, and be present with, my clients. I suggest what shifts they can make and what practices they can do to live a more balanced inner and outer life. I often will offer some kind of inner "homework" to this end, so that the healing extends outside of the treatment room and into one's daily life. For this kind of work I draw upon both my intuition as well as the many different wisdom traditions I've studied over the years: the Five Elements from Chinese Medicine, Buddhism and mindfulness, nature-teachings and seasonal alignment, and body-based awareness practices, including qigong. Lifestyle and/or spiritual counsel is often included in my acupuncture sessions, but it can also be scheduled as a stand-alone in a consultation session.
*Flower Essence Consultations and Treatments
Flower essences are medicines made by infusing different flowers in water and sunlight, and then diluting and preserving that essence. They are highly diluted, similar to how homeopathic remedies are highly diluted. But the process of dilution does not make flower essences an ineffective type of medicine. It means that they work at a deeper level, primarily helping in facilitating shifts in consciousness, rather than physiological/biochemical shifts. This makes them the perfect tool for people seeking spiritual growth and emotional healing.
A flower essence consultation consists of three main components:
1. ) Heart-to-heart discussion
We start by discussing whatever it is that you are currently struggling with, whether it is on the mental, emotional, and/or spiritual level. These types of challenges could range from anything like "I'm so confused about my path in life" to "I'm tired of being so impatient and snappy with my kids" to "My heart is weary from all the suffering on this planet."
Even if it's hard for you to articulate what the challenge is, and you know that you just feel "off" in life, I will help you uncover the heart of what's troubling you in a safe and nurturing conversation. This deep listening process is at the core of a flower essence consultation with me.
2.) Formulation of your custom blend
After our discussion, I will then make your custom blend of flower essences. The blend will be made in a dropper bottle and will generally consist of 2 to 4 different essences. As I make the blend, I will explain why I chose each essence, and how each of the essences relates to your unique healing journey. Many of the flower essences I use are ones that I've made myself, using flowers from our land here in Happy Valley. In addition to my handcrafted essences, I also use high quality brands such as Bach, F.E.S., and Alaskan Essences. When you leave the session you will have the blend ready to start using in your daily life.
3.) Prescription: personalized guidance on how to use your essence blend
The traditional method of using flower essences is to either put a few drops directly onto the tongue, or to add a few drops to water and drink that water throughout the day. While I see great value in these traditional methods, in our consultation together I will offer additional methods for using flower essences. I will provide specific meditation practices and affirmation suggestions that you can use to integrate your essence blend into your personal healing path.
I will also show you specific acupuncture points that complement the properties of the flower essences in your blend, and will teach you how to apply your essence blend to these places on your body, as these points can be used as little portals into the soul. This self-healing practice of applying flower essences to acupuncture points is a powerful way to deeply tune into and be empowered by your body's innate healing wisdom.
A Floral "Acupuncture" Treatment includes the consultation and custom blend, but also includes a 20 minute treatment in which I apply the essences onto acupuncture points, much like an acupuncture treatment, but using gentle acupressure instead of needles.
Location
My clinic/healing sanctuary is located on a beautiful and serene piece of land in Happy Valley, a rural region just outside of midtown Santa Cruz. Many clients report feeling like their healing actually begins with the scenic drive to my office! As a healing practitioner, I feel grounded and strengthened by doing my work so close to nature, especially since the philosophy of Chinese Medicine is based on observing and aligning ourselves with nature. I am also grateful that my patients get to experience their healing process in such a peaceful and inspiring setting.
Rates
Initial Acupuncture Session (a 1.5 to 2 hour session that includes full health history intake, tongue and pulse diagnosis, acupuncture treatment, and personalized nutritional, herbal, and lifestyle consultation): $160
Follow-up Acupuncture Sessions (a 1 hour session that generally includes 30 minutes for consultation and 30 minutes for treatment) : $80
80 minute "combo session: (follow-up acupuncture session with half-hour massage): $120
Package of four hour-long acupuncture sessions: 300 ($20 savings)
Package of four 80 minute sessions (acupuncture with half-hour massage): $440 ($40 savings)
New Client consultation (1 hour, no treatment): $120
Follow up consultation (30 minutes, no treatment): $60
Flower Essence Consultation (30-50 minutes; cost includes 1 bottle of custom flower essence blend: $90
Floral "Acupuncture" treatment (50-70 minutes; Flower essence consultation PLUS a 20 minute needles-free treatment): $110
Payment:
I accept cash, check, credit card, Venmo, or Paypal as payment. I am no longer in network with insurance, but can provide clients with a super bill, which they can submit to their insurance providers for potential reimbursement.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so within 24 hours to avoid a $40 cancellation fee. No-shows will be charged the full cost of the session. Thank you for your understanding!
Sickness Policy:
To protect the health of my clients and myself, I do not treat clients with signs of an infectious illness (i.e. fever, cough, sore throat, etc.). While acupuncture and modalities can help speed healing and reduce symptoms, I want to keep my clinic a safe place for wellness, and not a place for potentially spreading contagious illnesses to other clients or myself. Instead of coming into my clinic, clients with these kinds of signs can schedule a video visit with me, in which we can discuss the appropriate herbs, foods, and self care practices you can do to heal from your illness more quickly.
My clinic/healing sanctuary is located on a beautiful and serene piece of land in Happy Valley, a rural region just outside of midtown Santa Cruz. Many clients report feeling like their healing actually begins with the scenic drive to my office! As a healing practitioner, I feel grounded and strengthened by doing my work so close to nature, especially since the philosophy of Chinese Medicine is based on observing and aligning ourselves with nature. I am also grateful that my patients get to experience their healing process in such a peaceful and inspiring setting.
Rates
Initial Acupuncture Session (a 1.5 to 2 hour session that includes full health history intake, tongue and pulse diagnosis, acupuncture treatment, and personalized nutritional, herbal, and lifestyle consultation): $160
Follow-up Acupuncture Sessions (a 1 hour session that generally includes 30 minutes for consultation and 30 minutes for treatment) : $80
80 minute "combo session: (follow-up acupuncture session with half-hour massage): $120
Package of four hour-long acupuncture sessions: 300 ($20 savings)
Package of four 80 minute sessions (acupuncture with half-hour massage): $440 ($40 savings)
New Client consultation (1 hour, no treatment): $120
Follow up consultation (30 minutes, no treatment): $60
Flower Essence Consultation (30-50 minutes; cost includes 1 bottle of custom flower essence blend: $90
Floral "Acupuncture" treatment (50-70 minutes; Flower essence consultation PLUS a 20 minute needles-free treatment): $110
Payment:
I accept cash, check, credit card, Venmo, or Paypal as payment. I am no longer in network with insurance, but can provide clients with a super bill, which they can submit to their insurance providers for potential reimbursement.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so within 24 hours to avoid a $40 cancellation fee. No-shows will be charged the full cost of the session. Thank you for your understanding!
Sickness Policy:
To protect the health of my clients and myself, I do not treat clients with signs of an infectious illness (i.e. fever, cough, sore throat, etc.). While acupuncture and modalities can help speed healing and reduce symptoms, I want to keep my clinic a safe place for wellness, and not a place for potentially spreading contagious illnesses to other clients or myself. Instead of coming into my clinic, clients with these kinds of signs can schedule a video visit with me, in which we can discuss the appropriate herbs, foods, and self care practices you can do to heal from your illness more quickly.