My Specialties
Many patients have noted that what truly sets me apart is my personality and the therapeutic relationship that I get to create with you. I truly love what I do and I'm so grateful that I get to call being an acupuncturist "my job." To me, it's more like: "Oh, what friend is coming in today?" We make treatments fun. And although we laugh and smile, sometimes through tears, I take your care and health very seriously. We make treatments enjoyable and I am truly invested in helping you feel better.
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE
I've been specializing in Cosmetic Acupuncture, also known as Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, since I was a student in 2005. I was amazed that acupuncture could help people slow down the signs of aging by decreasing wrinkles and lifting the skin. Of course I wanted to learn this technique!
Cosmetic Acupuncture is a painless, non-surgical method of reducing the signs of aging. Based on the principles of Chinese Medicine, it helps the whole body look and feel younger by addressing the physical, mental and emotional patterns that cause disease and contribute to the aging process.
The use of acupuncture to slow the visible effects of aging began in China in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Emperors and empresses were the only ones allowed to receive this powerful treatment!
I will perform a balancing, stress-reducing acupuncture treatment to start the healing process and from there, I'll help you achieve the goals you have for looking and feeling your best!
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling is the painless insertion of very fine, short and oscillating needles into the skin, thus creating controlled nano-traumas. This process naturally stimulates circulation and induces the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.
I've successfully diminished fine lines and wrinkles, cleared acne scars, decreased the recurrence of acne, and increased hair growth all with the power of gentle microneedling.
Microneedling is best at:
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Smoothing and decreasing wrinkles, eliminating age spots, lightening dark under-eye circles and puffiness and age spots and scars
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Increases hair growth on scalp, eyebrows and beards
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Diminishes acne, acne scarring, and recurrence of break-outs
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Treatment benefits can last 3-5 years
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Increases product absorption by 2-3,000%
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Utilizes potent topical Chinese herbs and the gold-standard vegan apple stem cell serum to increase production of new cells
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Best results seen after 6-12 treatments, although you will look enhanced after every treatment
WEIGHT LOSS
Do you want to look your very best from the inside out? Do you want to feel comfortable in your own skin? As with facial rejuvenation/cosmetic acupuncture, I've been specializing in weight management since I was a student! I developed the weight loss protocol from my studies with an endocrinologist/acupuncturist at OHSU (thank you Dr. Zhaoxue Lu!), courses in Los Angeles, Denver, Colorado (thank you Dr. Martha Lucas) and clinics in China, and from Dr. East Philips in San Diego. This treatment has been proven to:
· Increase weight loss
· Reduce appetite
· Regulate blood sugar
· Lower blood pressure
· Help lower cholesterol
· Improve digestion
· Enhance metabolism
Most patients report they notice after the first treatment that they no longer eat out of boredom or stress, or for "entertainment."
STRESS RELIEF
These days, who isn't stressed? But we don't have to suffer it's harmful emotional and physical effects. Acupuncture has been proven to increase circulating levels of serotonin, noradrenalin, and dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitters. This drug-free treatment works directly to calm the central nervous system and take your body and mind out of "fight or flight" so that you can put more ease into your life.
To prolong and enhance the effects of your acupuncture treatments, I will curate Chinese herbal medicine and supplements for your specific needs.
I also employ a "secret weapon" against stress that a patient once lovingly called, "to-go needles"...these are amazing little "pressure-release valves" that I place on the outside of the ear...amazingly effective and painless!
FERTILITY
The tradition of treating gynecology was first documented in writings from the Shang Dynasty. Acupuncture can optimize a woman’s reproductive health in preparation for conception thereby boosting fertility naturally. More specifically, I can:
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Balance the hormonal cycle
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Improve the quality of fertile mucus
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Regulate ovulation
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Promote an efficient menstrual bleed
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Enhance egg maturation
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Increase the success rate of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
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Minimize the side effects of the ART process
I've been passionate about women's health and fertility since researching and writing my thesis on acupuncture increasing the success rates of ART. I've become even more passionate about it since having my own issues with fertility and I can't wait to help more women achieve motherhood.
HORMONAL BALANCING
Please don't accept uncomfortable and embarassing menopausal symptoms as just "part of the process." Going through the changes that come with being a female don’t have to be as challenging as we think. And I love helping women breeze their way through the "change".
Since 476 BCE acupuncture and Chinese medicine has successfully treated hormonal imbalances. Today, research shows that acupuncture influences the production and circulation of hormones in the body. It also stimulates the production of “feel-good” neurotransmitters like endorphins. Neurotransmitters are closely associated with hormones thus acupuncture affects our mood as well. This treatment has been proven to balance hormones, ease hot flashes, mood swings, and soothe menstrual irregularities associated with menopause.
NEUROPATHY
I have successfully relieved neuropathic pain since 2008 during my internship year at OCOM. I loved my first neuropathy patient, an elderly woman who also suffered from constipation. Poor thing! She was quiet and sweet and did so well with the needles.
Since then, I've loved treating and relieving this hard-to-describe pain condition. I've had success with neuropathy caused by diabetes, chemicals, nerve damage from surgeries and chemotherapy. Now doctors and oncologists are referring their patients to me. It's wonderful to have doctors on-board as the sooner that I can treat patients, the better prognosis they will have.
ALLERGY RELIEF
Many of us who live in the beautiful Willamette Valley also suffer from it's allergens. I can help relieve allergy symptoms such as: runny nose, sneezing, and watery, itchy eyes.
Allergies are a hyperactive immune response by the body. When you come in for an allergy treatment, I’ll also look at the “why:" Why do you suffer from allergies and others don't seem to? The real key to resolving your allergies is finding the cause so that we can prevent the allergies from reoccurring.
I’ll identify the causes of your allergies and strengthen your immune system at the same time. We can also identify and address other imbalances affecting your body: stress, foods that don’t agree with you, pollutants, and environmental toxins.
Asthma symptoms can, though not always, coexist with allergies. As a kid, I suffered from allergy-induced asthma. And although I still have my emergency inhaler, I haven't had to use it since getting acupuncture as a pre-teen. I love treating patients with allergies and asthma as I can fully relate and can see the relief on their faces when they can breathe deeply again.
PAIN RELIEF
I've specialized in relieving pain for over 12 years and have also become an expert in treating nerve pain, also known as neuropathy. New patients are coming from medical doctors and oncologists as they have heard how much acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture has been demonstrated in clinical trials to be effective in treating both acute and chronic pain as well as treating the underlying causes of pain. I love relieving pain and also helping eliminate the root cause of the pain so that it isn't an ongoing or chronic condition. I create a customized treatment plan utilizing several different acupuncture techniques to ensure that you feel better when you leave the clinic. I love using Master Tung's "secret" family technique, Dr. Zhu's scalp acupuncture, electro-stimulation, cupping and gua sha.
Acupuncture is also safe to use in conjunction with pain medications and other conventional treatments.
