Basic Balance's
Specialized Treatments
Currently available per request. Gift Certificates available soon!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a treatment is tailored individually depending on underlying imbalances occurring for the specific patient. This is why an initial assessment is important; it gives the practitioner information (via the patients' answers to questions and their tongue and pulse) to form a proper diagnosis. For example, reoccurring headaches may be a result of a multitude of imbalances (Rising Liver Qi, Deficient Kidney Qi, Blood Deficiency, Blood Stagnation, Wind, Phlegm, and more).
This being said, the below treatments are protocols I have developed that can be applied to most everyone. They can be used:
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As an introduction to acupuncture for someone considering receiving a course of treatment for a specific ailment but wanting to experience a general acupuncture treatment, first
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For those in good health, seeking health maintenance and prevention
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As a seasonal immune-boost or tune-up
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As a gift for a friend or family member
* Please keep in mind:
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The below protocols may need to be altered for optimal effect, depending on a patient's presentation.
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The explanations of the protocols below are technical. They are not necessary to understand; they are only listed for those who may be interested. To learn more about specific terms I use, refer to blog posts like "Qi vs Blood: Moxa and Guasha Explained" and the Educational Video Series
General Wellness/ The Miriam Lee Protocol: A comprehensive “tune-up”
Position: supine/ face-up
Description:
This protocol is my adaptation of a protocol made famous by, Miriam Lee.
Miriam Lee was a Chinese acupuncturist. When she arrived in California, acupuncture was illegal, so she gave treatments quietly out of her home. In 1974, she was arrested for practicing without a license. Hundreds of her patients showed up to court with testimonials, protesting her arrest and claiming a right to the only medicine that had helped them. This court case was an integral part of the legalization of acupuncture in The United States. Miriam Lee had so many patients that they would line up around the block to receive treatment. She developed a protocol so health-enhancing, that each patient who received it got better, and so universal, that is was used for everything from back pain, to skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, heart disease, and more.
Explanation:
This treatment starts by opening the Ren channel (by needling two points, LU7 & KI6), which runs vertically on the front midline of the body. Ion pumping chords provide a one-way amplification to the current, strengthening the connection between the points. Moxibustion below the umbilicus warms up the central qi of the body, strengthening qi and blood, or building the body’s energy reserves. Moxibustion on Stomach 36 kick-starts the digestive system, the immune system, and blood circulation. The bulk of the treatment is Miriam Lee’s 10-point protocol (Bilateral LI-11, LI4, LU7, ST36, & SP6) with CV 6 added, an additional deeply nourishing point. Needles are retained for approximately 25 minutes and treatment culminates with moxibustion to the opening points of the Ren channel, ‘sealing in’ the benefit and prolonging the effect.
Immune-Enhancement: A comprehensive “tune-up”
Position: prone/face down for 5 minutes then supine/face up
*moxibustion stick and instructions for at-home moxa use: + $2
This treatment buffs up your immune system by strengthening your Wei qi. In Chinese Medicine, your body’s defense is called Wei qi. Wei qi is the energy formed from a combination of the air you breathe (Kong qi) and the food you eat (Gu qi). It circulates just over the skin and is governed by the lungs. External pathogens like virus’ and bacteria only affect us if our Wei qi ‘amor’ is not strong enough to protect us, allowing virus/bacteria to penetrate the surface and head deeper, toward the organs. If you would like a moxibustion stick and instructions for at-home moxa care, to continuously enhance immunity, please make this request at the beginning of the treatment.
This is an excellent treatment to receive in between seasons, as this is when our wei qi is most vulnerable.
Explanation:
This treatment starts with light guasha on the Taiyang channel of the upper and mid back. Guasha is a technique that involves using a tool to scrape the surface of the skin. It is generally used to unblock stagnation in order to improve muscle tension and pain. In this case, however, it is used with lighter pressure, to stimulate the wei qi level, ie. immunity. Du20 is then needled on the top of the head and the Du channel is opened (by needling two points, SI3 & BL62) which runs vertically upward through the spine to the brain. The Du channel channel both, taps into and raises, the clear Yang energy of the body, helping with focus and energy levels, as well as, immunity. Ion pumping chords are used on these points to amplify the effect. Moxibustion is done on CV4, below the bellow button and a TDP lamp is placed on the lower abdomen; a warm abdomen is essential for good immunity. Moxibustion on Stomach 36, then kick-starts the digestive system, the immune system, and blood circulation. 11 Acupuncture Points are used: Left: LU1, LU7, LU9. Right 44.06 R, LI4 R, TB5 R. Left: GB31, 88.22, ST36, Right: 88.12,88.13, 88.14. These points are located on the arms, wrists, the inner upper leg and outer upper leg, and the lower leg. They follow the Balance method for optimal effect; ie. criss-cross pattern of yin channels on the left arm, yang channels on the right arm, yin channels on the left leg, and yang channels on the left leg.
Anti-Aging/ Relax & Rejuvenate
Stress-busting/ Settle the nerves, Clear the head
Balance/ Ground & Anchor
Needless Treatment (30 min)