East-Asian Medicine, also called Chinese Medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is the medical system that was developed in China over 3,000 years ago.

Most people associate East-Asian Medicine with acupuncture and herbal medicine, however, the medicine encompasses much more than that! It also includes moxibustion, cupping, guasha, topical herbal linaments, auricular acupuncture + seed therapy, acupressure, nutritional counseling + lifestyle recommendations, as well as Tui-Na (massage) and Qi Gong (exercise).

East-Asian Medicine looks at your body as a whole entity, meaning that your emotions and thoughts affect your physical body and vice-versa. If any aspect of you body (physical, emotional, spiritual) is out of balance for too long, it can cause symptoms or 'dis-ease' to manifest.

East-Asian Medicine brings your body into a more balanced state by treating the root of the problem and the presenting symptoms, so the body can heal itself and reduce 'dis-ease' going forward.

Acupuncture is the strategic placement of very thin, acupuncture "filiforms" (stainless steel, single use, disposable sterile needles) inserted into very specific points in your body to benefit your health.

East-Asian Medicine views your body is comprised of channels (pathways) that allow for the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the entire body. If the channels become stuck or blocked, they can cause pain, illness, or other symptoms to manifest. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the healthy flow of Qi and balance to the body and stimulate your body’s innate ability to heal itself.  

No, acupuncture does not hurt! However, it does cause sensations ranging from a feeling of warmth or tingling, a sense of heaviness or deep relaxation, a dull achy sensation, or the feeling of movement occurring along on a specific channel pathway. Each person's reaction to acupuncture is different. But if anything ever hurts, speak up and Susanna will adjust it.

Yes! Acupuncture treats you (as a whole person), not simply a specific symptom. It is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, ranging from pain to digestion to emotions to sleep.

Each person is unique and responds differently, therefore, each person receives an individualized treatment plan. The treatment plans depends on the type, severity, duration of your conditions. For optimal results, plan for a series of 8-12 treatments over 4-6 weeks. Timing of treatments is weekly or twice-weekly. Effects from acupuncture are cumulative, meaning that results build over time, with the effects becoming increasingly apparent. Responses to treatment vary, based on your lifestyle and individual health status. You should expect to see improvement of symptoms after 3-5 treatments. Acute/short-term conditions usually require fewer treatments than chronic/long-term conditions.     

After the initial series of treatments, monthly maintenance treatments are recommended so you can continue to feel your best. 

Prevention is an important aspect of wellness. Many patients choose to come in weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for preventative, immune-boosting, stress-relieving treatments.

During the initial visit, Susanna will start by asking questions about your condition and your health goals, and listen carefully to your responses in order to understand what is going on with your body. She will let you know if she feels that acupuncture can help you and will outline a treatment plan. The initial evaluation + consultation part of the initial appointment will be approximately 30 minutes.

After that, you will lay down and relax on a warm massage table and Susanna will insert the acupuncture filaments into specific areas of your body based upon her diagnosis. They are not painful, but often create sensations in the body. The acupuncture filaments will be retained for 20-30 minutes; during this time, your may fall asleep, or may feel a sense of deep relaxation. Susanna will check on you and ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment.

During follow-up acupuncture treatments, Susanna will have you out of the office in 55 minutes, so you get back to the rest of your day.

After each treatment, you should feel more relaxed, restored, and revitalized than when you arrived.

Complete the health history and consent forms provided to you via email link. Your answers will form the basis of the conversation we will have at your initial consultation and enable Susanna to customize an effective treatment plan for you.

Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that is convenient for accessing areas such as the arms, legs, abdomen and back of your body. Refrain from wearing any perfume, cologne or scented lotions.

Eat a light meal prior to your appointment to prevent light-headedness or nausea.

Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.) or alcohol for least 4 hours prior to your visits.

Drink plenty of water and refrain from drinking alcohol. You may want to go home and relax, or you may feel extremely energized. Each person responds differently to acupuncture, so listen to what your body is asking you to do and respect it.

Acupuncture treatments with Susanna often include other modalities such as:

• Moxibustion (Moxa)

• Auricular Acupuncture + Earseeds

• Guasha or Cupping
  Electrical Acupuncture (E-Stim)

• Topical linaments, oils, or CBD balms

• Lifestyle + Nutritional Recommendations

• Crystals

Acupuncture is not advised for emergency situations — please use modern medical care for immediate, life-threatening conditions. Acupuncture cannot reverse or completely stop many chronic disease conditions, but it can improve your quality of life, reduce pain, and increase functionality.