People visit a licensed acupuncturist for many reasons. They may have tried acupuncture before and been happy with the results. Or they've given other modalities a chance and decided their best alternative right now is Traditional Chinese Medicine. Either way, even planning a Sarasota acupuncture visit can be a stressful experience because any illness causes concern.

Every effort is made to put patients at ease in relaxed surroundings, keeping an open mind to each case and a strong desire to improve the patient's health.

One visit rarely is enough to make a significant, long-lasting difference in your condition. Give the acupuncture and the other modalities at least four visits to work before judging its effectiveness:


Initial Intake:

We are complex beings. Chinese Medicine puts a premium on careful observation and inquiry as the path to determining the right diagnosis. This can be a lengthy process lasting up to 20-30 minutes, especially when there's a chronic condition. Future intakes take less time.

Every Visit Includes:

Observational skin analysis of color, lustre, temperature and texture.

Observational eye analysis for reaction, color and vitality.

General body assessment for gait, physical and mental energy, muscle tone, voice strength and overall spirit.

Tongue and Pulse readings are key diagnostic tools that reveal detailed information about mind and body. Both say volumes about the past and current state of the body. They help confirm patterns that unfold during the interview by looking at color, texture, shape and coating.

Please don't brush the tongue on appointment day!  

We check pulses on the thumb and palm side of the arm just below the wrist. It is considered a meeting place for all body energes. All the organs are recognizable here, too. We feel the pulse for strength, speed, shape and level of consistency.


 The treatment: See What It Treats

This generally involves acupuncture, the most commonly-applied Chinese Medicine modality. Here, needles are inserted into various points on the energy channels that circulate Qi throughout the body. Each point has specific purposes and they're carefully chosen to treat each patient's disease pattern. 

For maximum effectiveness, treatments are often combined with herbal formulas and/or other traditional modalities, such as moxibustion, cupping and Tui Na massage. Josh performs many Tui Na-only treatments, but also uses electro-stimulation and acupoint injections.

Patients are bathed by low light, relaxing music and - if you desire - the gentle warmth of a heated body pad.


Lifestyle Counseling:

At its core, Chinese Medicine is lifestyle medicine. This ancient holistic medicine's emphasis on diet, exercise, moderate habits and balanced emotions continues to this day. During your visit, don't be surprised if Josh recommends changes to your habits if they're interfering with reaching your optimal health.


Chinese Herbal Formulas

Over thousands of years, Chinese practitioners created a well-developed herbal encyclopedia based on the observable actions of herbs and herbal formulas on the body. There are literally hundreds of individual herbs and herbal formulas in use, and they're often as critical as acupuncture in correctly treating someone's condition.

 



Supplements:

Optimal health often can be achieved through healthy lifestyle habits. But high quality supplements targeting a patient's individual needs can further assist patients on their road to wellness. They include high-bioavailability forms of Vitamin D3, Omega-3 and CoQ10 by manufacturers networked with the very credible Emerson Ecologics, a nutraceutical clearinghouse.


Teas, Balms and Ointments:

Part of the Chinese Medicine cornucopia also includes a rich collection of herbal balms and ointments. Soaked in a medium like alcohol for extended periods, the resulting herbal liquids are combined into formulas. They very helpful with joint and muscle issues, such as pain, strains, swelling from overuse, injury and arthritis.


Encouragement:

Recovering from acute and chronic conditions, as well as aspiring to optimal health, can be a difficult and frustrating process. Success often hinges on the willingness of patients to make subtle and not-so-subtle changes in long-ingrained habits. As a licensed Sarasota acupuncturist, I offer my best efforts and encouragement on the road to better health.