Acupuncture

During an acupuncture treatment, the patient describes their health concerns and desired outcomes. A relevant  health intake and history will be obtained in order to reveal the underlying imbalance. Diagnostics such as pulse reading, abdominal palpation, tongue observation and channel palpation will provide insight to the nature of the condition. Once a diagnosis is established, a treatment will be performed based on the individual needs of each patient. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very small needles into specific points  on the body. Pain is usually very slight and often the needles are barely detected upon insertion. The patient will stay on the treatment table anywhere from 20-45 minutes, trying to rest completely and settle into the treatment.  In an ideal treatment, one will drift into sleep or a trance- like state. If a patient is needle phobic, there are effective modalities that can be used that do not  involve needles. In any given treatment, cupping, moxibustion and Gua sha may be used.  

When a patient needs additional support from herbal formulas and is committed to taking herbs daily, a formula will be prescribed. Patients who don’t want acupuncture can come in for an herbs-only visit and treat the condition with herbal formulas.

Herbs

In an herbal medicine appointment, patient health needs will be addressed using a customized herbal formula. Pulse and abdominal diagnostic modes will be used in addition to a health intake. Most of the time, herb granules will be the mode of administration as opposed to bulk herbs. The use of raw, bulk herbs is incredibly effective, but requires daily boiling of herbs and doesn’t always work for busy schedules. Granules are made from large boiled batches of herbal teas attached to a carrier starch. They are conveniently consumed by adding boiling water to a few spoonfuls of the granule prescription and stirring until dissolved. Depending on the formula, it can be consumed from anywhere from a few days to a few months. They can sometimes be bitter and unpleasant and other times sweet and delicious. Herbal formulas are an out of pocket expense. Meghan is also trained in western herbalism and nutrition and is willing to find creative affordable solutions that work for each patient.