Traditional Chinese Medicine Services

Acupuncture consists of using extremely thin needles at various locations on the body to elicit healing from within. The needles stimulate blood flow by creating micro-trauma, release endorphins in the brain, and send cells responsible for healing to the site of needle insertion. The needle location is typically chosen based on acupuncture channel theory. At Acupuncture by Design, abdominal acupuncture is most frequently utilized. Abdominal Acupuncture is a microsystem that maps the entire body on the abdomen, allowing for treatments to be all-encompassing while only requiring access to one area of the body. During each patient's consultation, adjunct therapies may be chosen to complement acupuncture depending on the patient's needs and goals.

Cupping and gua sha, similarly to acupuncture, both stimulate blood flow. Gua sha is typically performed on the back, neck, shoulders, and chest and involves creating friction with a tool. Cupping is typically performed on the back but Is often used on the glutes for sciatica patients. Both therapies result in petechiae on the skin, but resolve within a few days. These marks are not  harmful or painful, just a bit unsightly. 

An electrical current is sent from one needle to another. With electric stimulation, larger areas of the body can be targeted with fewer needles. Additionally, manual stimulation of the needle is no longer necessary. This therapy is particularly useful for pain that is chronic in nature.

Moxibustion, also called moxa, is dried and processed Chinese mugwort. There are several ways to utilize moxibustion. Moxa may be burned on the needle's handle (warm needling),  placed on the skin and burned (direct moxa), or a moxa stick may be burned near the body. This therapy allows heat to provide healing. It is particularly useful for pain, women's health concerns, and men's health concerns.

Chinese nutritional therapy is based off of the energetics of foods. Naturally, what we put in our body can either contribute to or conflict with our healing. Dietary suggestions are catered to a patient's individual diagnosis and can therefore change along with the diagnosis .

Herbal medicine is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and complements acupuncture as a healing modality. If open to herbal medicine, patients may be prescribed herbs to ingest or use topically. Acupuncture by Design utilizes a third-party herbal pharmacy to provide options when it comes to herbal medium. Pills, tinctures, and custom powder formulas are available to be shipped directly to your door.