Intuitive Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
Intuitive Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture in San Rafael, CA
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive group of treatment and diagnostic modalities dating back over 2,000 years ago. It is widely practiced in the United States and around the world, and is generally accepted as a safe and effective treatment alternative and complement to Western medical therapies.
Balance is the core underlying belief and practice in TCM therapies. Acupuncture works along the body's meridians, which carry vital substances and energy throughout the body. By regulating and balancing these meridians and organ systems we help to restore the body to its' finest working condition, and by doing so we facilitate the body's ability to heal itself.
Another key component to acupuncture therapy is lifestyle. For some conditions acupuncture can have an almost instantaneous positive effect, however, for many conditions, especially those which are long lasting and more internal, a comprehensive approach to treatment must be adopted. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are key components to an effective acupuncture regimen.
Dr. Kim practices in San Rafael, CA Marin County serving local Marin County residents of San Rafael, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Ross, Larkspur, Greenbrae and other cities in the Bay Area. Her practice focuses on Acupuncture and other energetic medicines and therapies, she also offers cupping, dry needling, trigger point therapy, gua sha, moxibustion, electro acupuncture, herbs, supplements and dietary lifestyle coaching. By helping you see and understand the root causes of imbalance in your system, she can help you to clear the blockages, pain, illness and dysfunction that keeps you from experiencing life in its' utmost potential and joy.
Balance is the core underlying belief and practice in TCM therapies. Acupuncture works along the body's meridians, which carry vital substances and energy throughout the body. By regulating and balancing these meridians and organ systems we help to restore the body to its' finest working condition, and by doing so we facilitate the body's ability to heal itself.
Another key component to acupuncture therapy is lifestyle. For some conditions acupuncture can have an almost instantaneous positive effect, however, for many conditions, especially those which are long lasting and more internal, a comprehensive approach to treatment must be adopted. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are key components to an effective acupuncture regimen.
Dr. Kim practices in San Rafael, CA Marin County serving local Marin County residents of San Rafael, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Ross, Larkspur, Greenbrae and other cities in the Bay Area. Her practice focuses on Acupuncture and other energetic medicines and therapies, she also offers cupping, dry needling, trigger point therapy, gua sha, moxibustion, electro acupuncture, herbs, supplements and dietary lifestyle coaching. By helping you see and understand the root causes of imbalance in your system, she can help you to clear the blockages, pain, illness and dysfunction that keeps you from experiencing life in its' utmost potential and joy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting very fine, single use disposable needles into the skin and muscle tissue to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians. We use the needles in order to access the body's Qi underneath the skin and by doing so we can manipulate the Qi of the meridians to create balance of the body's energies.
The needles are inserted and often manipulated to produce a certain sensation of energy in the body. The needles are then retained in the body for anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes, depending on the conditions being treated.
Most patients find acupuncture treatments to be quite pleasant, experiencing a sensation of deep relaxation once the needles are placed. Although there can be some discomfort with the needling procedure, it is minimal and well tolerated.
These hair thin needles are placed throughout the body depending on the individual patient's constitution and chief complaint - we treat YOU as an individual, not relying on set point prescriptions or protocols, Dr. Kim makes sure every treatment is unique to her patients so that you can experience the deepest level of healing with acupuncture in San Rafael.
The needles are inserted and often manipulated to produce a certain sensation of energy in the body. The needles are then retained in the body for anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes, depending on the conditions being treated.
Most patients find acupuncture treatments to be quite pleasant, experiencing a sensation of deep relaxation once the needles are placed. Although there can be some discomfort with the needling procedure, it is minimal and well tolerated.
These hair thin needles are placed throughout the body depending on the individual patient's constitution and chief complaint - we treat YOU as an individual, not relying on set point prescriptions or protocols, Dr. Kim makes sure every treatment is unique to her patients so that you can experience the deepest level of healing with acupuncture in San Rafael.
Electro-Stimulation Acupuncture
Electro-Stimulation is applying small electrodes to needles inserted in the body to complete a circuit. Small scale electricity is run through the points which effects the muscles underneath. E-stim can be used to heavily stimulate points on the body to create a greater effect from the acupuncture, or it can be used at higher frequencies to actually reduce nerve sensitivity and thus block pain (e-stim acupuncture is actually used in China for anesthesia!) E-stim also has an immaculate effect on those affected by paralysis, specifically Bell's Palsy.
Electrostimulation is a popular modality used by Physical Therapist in the form of TENS units with pads, while this treatment is similar in function, most patients find electrostimulation with acupuncture to be more pleasant and less painful. This type of treatment can also be used to address overactive bladder and incontinence in women and men, by stimulating the nerves that work with the bladder we can help 'wake' up sensations or turn down overactive nerves to help address this issue, most patients find it to be more effective with significantly fewer side effects than medications.
Electrostimulation is a popular modality used by Physical Therapist in the form of TENS units with pads, while this treatment is similar in function, most patients find electrostimulation with acupuncture to be more pleasant and less painful. This type of treatment can also be used to address overactive bladder and incontinence in women and men, by stimulating the nerves that work with the bladder we can help 'wake' up sensations or turn down overactive nerves to help address this issue, most patients find it to be more effective with significantly fewer side effects than medications.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Conditions in bold are conditions Kim has had particular experience and positive responses with.
|
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders
Circulatory Disorders
Pediatric Patients Teenage Patients
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders
|
Addiction
Emotional and Psychological Disorders
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Dermatology / Cosmetic Acupuncture
Immune Disorders
|
|
At Lion's Heart we use herbs & supplements to help you get the very best results possible from your acupuncture treatments. Kim has been trained in the use of over 165 Chinese herbs and their formulations in addition to her most used herbs from Standard Process and Medi-Herb.
Many Chinese herbal formulas are a bit difficult to find in high quality forms, or in forms that patients are compliant with taking, so Kim uses the Standard Process and Medi-Herb products most frequently because of their high quality, regulated and easy to take formulations. |
Custom Liquid Formulations
|
One of Kim's favorite compositions for taking herbs is in tinctures, and the Medi-Herb line of tinctures are truly top of the line in quality and efficacy. The wonderful thing about this line is most herbs are singularly prepared and then can be customized into completely unique formulas for each patient! When herbs are used in this manner we can adjust dosing and the herbs in your formulas as your health and conditions shift over time, which results in less wasted product. One huge benefit to taking a tincture is that the body can more easily absorb the formula since we bypass a significant amount of the digestive process, so formulas in tincture form can often be more potent than their tablet counterparts.
|
|
Herbs for Aging Gracefully
|
Many of our patients who see Kim for Cosmetic Acupuncture find themselves in relatively good health, just wanting to get an edge on their anti-aging regimen. To help aide in this process Kim has been working with the Standard Process and Medi-Herb lines to find formulas and herbs which compliment your goals in skin care. She's found which supplements can help reduce dark circles, improve circulation, reduce rosacea and even reduce wrinkles.
|
Chinese Medicinal Bath Salts and Topicals
|
|
|
Cupping and Gua Sha
In addition to acupuncture & electro-acupuncture treatments sometimes we need a more direct modality to get the best effect possible. In cases where these treatments look aligned Kim may also utilize cupping & gua sha methods to help reduce muscle tension and release cold & flu pathogens.
Cupping utilizes cups with suction either by vacuum created by heat or by a pump to suck onto the skin, once cups are fized to position they may be left on the body or moved around in a massage like manner with a liniment to help move out stagnation. You'll always recognize someone who's had cupping done by the red/purple circle marks left behind by the cups!
In a similar fashion Gua Sha may also be used - Gua Sha is one of Kim's favorite techniques, which is a scarping style massage utilizing a gua sha tool or soup spoon and liniment. This technique often looks quite awful with the temporary marks it leaves behind but most clients find it actually FEELS great, like an intense massage.
Cupping utilizes cups with suction either by vacuum created by heat or by a pump to suck onto the skin, once cups are fized to position they may be left on the body or moved around in a massage like manner with a liniment to help move out stagnation. You'll always recognize someone who's had cupping done by the red/purple circle marks left behind by the cups!
In a similar fashion Gua Sha may also be used - Gua Sha is one of Kim's favorite techniques, which is a scarping style massage utilizing a gua sha tool or soup spoon and liniment. This technique often looks quite awful with the temporary marks it leaves behind but most clients find it actually FEELS great, like an intense massage.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the application of a smoldering herb, Mugwort, to acupuncture points on the body. The herb can be applied in many forms: stick moxa - the herb is tightly wound in paper, similar in shape to a cigar, and the smoldering end is held over the point on the body; and loose moxa - the fluffy dried herb is rolled into pyramidal shaped cones of a variety of sizes and either placed on a surface on the body, such as a slice of fresh ginger, or rolled into very small rice grain sized cones which are placed directly on the skin.
The warm sensation felt in the body is very relaxing and can have a dramatic effect on long standing conditions, chronic fatigue, pain associated with weakness, fertility and even the common cold.
The warm sensation felt in the body is very relaxing and can have a dramatic effect on long standing conditions, chronic fatigue, pain associated with weakness, fertility and even the common cold.