A common question, acupuncture needles are ultra-thin, sterile and used only once. As acupuncture needles are carefully and quickly inserted into therapeutic points on the body, they rarely cause discomfort. Upon insertion, patients often report feeling tingling, warmth, or heaviness – rarely pain. The benefits of acupuncture therapy are often felt immediately.

It's very likely that acupuncture can help you. Because Chinese Medicine focuses on the entire system of body/mind/spirit, acupuncture can effectively treat most conditions and imbalances. Many practitioners will advertise acupuncture for pain, acupupuncture for fertility, acupuncture for digestive issues, acupuncture for stress, acupuncture for anxiety and panic attacks, acupuncture for insomnia, and so on. Research by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), shows that the following conditions are effectively treated with acupuncture: joint pain . heartburn . anxiety . limb pain . acid reflux . depression . back pain . abdominal pain . nervousness . sciatica . indigestion . panic attacks . disc problems . bloating . PTSD . arthritis . diarrhea . mood swings . sprains/strains . constipation . stress . sports injuries . appetite . nervousness . muscle cramps . IBS . cravings/addictions . fertility issues . headaches . asthma . irregular menses . migraines . immunity . PMS . neuralgia . weight loss menopause . MS . smoking cessation . uterine fibroids . Parkinson’s . addictions/withdrawal . ovarian cysts . bell’s palsy . blood pressure . libido . chronic pain . thyroid issues Weekly treatments are common until an issue has cleared. Acute conditions are often treated in 1-4 visits, while chronic patterns may require 5-13 weekly sessions followed by monthly check-ins. Please call 917.519.2432 to discuss your concerns and together we will determine whether or not acupuncture is appropriate for you.

When administered by a qualified and licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. Research shows that acupuncture has no adverse side-effects. Because individual sterile needles are disposed of after each use there is minimal to no risk of infection.

Please bring with you a completed Health History form -or- arrive 10 minutes early to the Tucson office to fill out the form. Allow for 120 minutes for the initial session. We will discuss your concerns, complaints and health history. I will ask to take your pulse, examine your tongue and gently palpate any areas of musculoskeletal tension or tenderness. Based on your presenting symptoms and treatment needs, I will offer massage, energy work, acupuncture and/or other forms of therapeutic support.

First, we’ll talk about what’s going on with you. if there are areas of pain or injury, I may conduct a gentle physical exam while you rest comfortably on a massage table. I often practice massage before starting the acupuncture session. I will insert approximately 1-16 sterile, disposable needles into different points on the body – often at the extremities like hands and feet or near joints like elbows and knees. You will rest with needles for approx. 20 minutes as the treatment takes effect. Some conditions benefit from specific massage protocols, moxibustion (heat therapy), cupping and/or guasha, in which case they will be utilized.

The number of sessions depends on the severity and duration of the condition and your state of wellbeing. Commonly, acute conditions take 1-4 sessions while chronic conditions can take between 5 – 13 treatments. Most people feel the benefits of one acupuncture treatment. Weekly treatments are suggested though some acute cases may require 2 treatments per week in the beginning. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect. As symptoms improve and holistic harmony is achieved, you are welcome to check-in every other week or monthly or less. We will discuss what is right for you.

Definitely. Chinese medicine is a comprehensive medical system that can address many health concerns on its own. It also works synergistically with western traditions and other healthcare modalities. Since I also utilize homeopathic and flower + gem essences, east meets west every day in my practice!

Theories in Chinese Medicine best explain how acupuncture works, as there exists a complex network of understanding of the natural world as it relates to the human body that does not directly translate in popular western terms. That said, research shows that acupuncture stimulates the body's innate mechanisms of healing and regulation. Acupuncture helps increase certain biochemicals and hormones and lowers others, as needed. It helps reduce local and systemic inflammation. It facilitates the flow of lymph and oxygen-rich blood and physically removes obstructions in the muscles, within and between organ systems, and the fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds single and grouped muscles, blood vessels, organs, and nerves – essentially, all structures of the body. The uninterrupted binding together of the superficial, deep, and visceral fascia around and through the entire body offers one (visible) roadmap that acupuncturists navigate. Research also demonstrates that acupuncture releases endorphins. A release of endorphins helps explain how acupuncture effectively treats pain and often facilitates a parasympathetic (rest/digest) response and feelings of deep relaxation. By offsetting the stress responses, the body has more of chance to recalibrate and function at optimal levels.

Modalities used in conjunction with acupuncture include Gua Sha, Cupping, Electro-Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, and Moxibustion. Gua Sha is the careful rubbing of the skin with a smooth ceramic spoon to relieve areas of stagnation. The skin may look red or purple after treatment and return to normal within 3-5 days. The result is healthy circulation of blood and a reduction of symptoms that are usually felt immediately. Cupping uses small rounded cups to create suction on different areas of the body. Similar to the technique of Gua Sha, cupping can be used for many conditions including upper and lower back pain and the common cold. Cupping can also draw purple marks to the surface of the skin for a few days. Auricular acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-thin needles into different locations of the ears to stimulate appropriate reflexes and to invigorate the internal organs. Moxibustion is the careful, painless application of burning moxa (mugwort) to the tips of needles or areas of protected skin at specific acupuncture points to warm, make supple and tonify the area through the increased circulation of blood and Qi. I personally also integrate Cranial Sacral therapy, light massage or Tui Na, and intuitive healing methods which derive from my work as a counselor and my study of homeopathy, flower and gem essences. Because I often feel the emotional and physiological patterns of other people, I utilize this information in ways that enhance classic and contemporary traditions in acupuncture.

Receipts for acupuncture services rendered include appropriate diagnostic CD10 coding that can be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement. Check with your health insurance provider in Tucson, AZ for coverage details.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on healing technique that optimizes the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. With a soft touch, I help release restrictions in the fascia and craniosacral path. CST improves the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), as well as digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, immune and circulatory systems. CST can be instrumental in helping to heal somatic conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), Depression and Anxiety. By harnessing the body's own innate healing wisdom, CST bolsters resistance to disease and restores the ANS to optimal balance. CST has been shown to benefit and heal migraines, chronic pain, fertility, chronic fatigue, emotional issues, fibromyalgia, sleep imbalances, and more.

Intuition is a friendly way to describe the natural amplification of our senses to see, hear and feel. Intuition allows us to surpass “individual” boundaries and access information from different levels of consciousness, the environment, people and other beings. Some of us are innately, or through circumstance, more sensitive or perceptive than others, but a vast spectrum of information is always readily available. It might seem difficult to believe, but most of us accept that Oxygen and Hydrogen exist, even though we might not be able to discern discrete elements. Often deemed psychic, enhanced capacities to see (clairvoyance), hear (clairaudience), and feel (clairsentience) are innate and can be cultivated. It just takes a steady intention, a little support/guidance and practice. When we get in touch with the more subtle aspects of our experience, we access the "always already" available information consciously. The more we bring subtler cues to the fore, the more chance we have at transforming core issues and consciously creating the life we actually want to live. Intuitive coaching is a combination of reading, energy healing and coaching. Intuitive Coaching is not a substitute for certified mental health counseling, psychiatry or psychotherapy.

Psychic Hearing (Clairaudience) Psychic Seeing (Clairvoyance) Psychic Feeling/Sensing (Clairsentience) Divine Receiving (Channeling/Messaging) Remote Viewing Astral Projection

As notions of medicine blend and shift, intuitive healers merge current scientific understanding with shamanic traditions to support people at the intersection of mind body and spirit. From an energetic medicine perspective, the body is comprised of an intricate network of energetic (life force) pathways, layers (koshas) and centers (chakras) that can be influenced in ways to help bring the system(s) to balance. Our human networks align with larger networks or grids at all levels of atmosphere and experience. Multiple grids of information intersect, align and influence each other. Borrowing from theories of relativity and quantum theory, people are “nonlocal” beings with movable boundaries that extend beyond constructs of time and space. We all measure the “physical” world through our everyday senses, in which time and space are properties. According to quantum theory, time and space only exist when they can be observed or measured. The three dimensional world of forms are like the momentary, measurable waves in an infinite sea of formless life potential. Touch into the level of life-force energy and constructs of time and space dissolve, and instantaneously, we have access to way more information than we could possibly imagine.

On a two dimensional level, it might resemble tuning into every radio station all at once. Through intuitive exercises, we can learn to turn up the volume and dial into particular frequencies and thereby gather specific forms of information. This is how remote viewing and healing and other psychic phenomenon take place. As is supported by quantum and many other theories, the entire seen and unseen world is a vast ocean of life force energy (Qi or Prana). What we perceive as separate parts is actually all part of a coherent, seamless whole: pulsing life force energy. This sea of energy is what makes for the fanciest of mathematical equations, and, what sages, yogis, shamans and folks from all backgrounds have known for ages. This ocean of energy is organized by super-information fields that evolve energy into form – the relatively stable forms we perceive as matter that makes up the physical world. All matter is comprised of dense bundles of constantly moving (vibrating) energy that is intelligent – synchronous systems of organization within chaos, within organization, within chaos, and so on. Consider how each discreet cell grows and lives within the body: each seemingly separate entity with specific functions and relationships, together and in relationship to one another, the system self organizes to a larger plan. At the subatomic level, the life-force energy is the stuff of our origins – what we and everything in the cosmos are comprised of and transmute to form. A shift that occurs in one area affects every other area. Enliven or remove a cluster of cells in one area of the body and an entire chain of responses sets off.

At the subatomic level, the life-force energy is the stuff of our origins – what we and everything in the cosmos are comprised of and transmute to form. This life force energy is flowing through and around the body in loops and lines (meridians), spiraling in and out of the body through hundreds of energy vortices (acupuncture points or marmas) and chakras or energy centers along the central column of the body, that link up with larger energetic networks or grids. Please see Alex Grey’s Theologue image above. The pulsation, frequency and vibration of the life force energy in the body is comprised of different forms of Qi (metabolic, emotional, cultural, etc.) and the functioning Qi of the different organs, viscera, our breath, etc. Simplified, acupuncture and hands-on healing helps restore balance of the different systems by releasing blockages of Qi in certain areas and tonifying areas that are deficient in others. Our collective and individual experience is continually shifting, adjusting and evolving. Our individual health is determined by our perception, life stressors/supports, the functioning of our physical systems as well as our thoughts, emotions and the intention/state of our energetic and etheric bodies. The constantly vibrating interplay of life force vibration inside/outside the physical body comprises the energetic fields and affects the health and well-being of the body-mind-spirit. Every aspect affects the other.

Consider the following terms and phrases. Perhaps allow them to resonate through the senses and saturate, softly into your center. Maybe flashes of understanding and meaning-making will light up. Gently, with a sense of spaciousness and ease, take a few deep breaths . . . Without explanation, allow any discoveries to absorb into your heart and whatever shifts shape the structures of understanding will naturally evolve. If you’re feeling it, click the links and see . . . Creativity Murmuration Imagination The Zone Akashic Records Miracle of Human Life Person as Microcosm As Above So Below Muse

Who knows? Here’s a guess: people who are sensitive to the physical, emotional, mental and timeless experiences of others have access to information that may not be obvious to the untrained eye. With this information, intuitive people can assess imbalances from multiple perspectives. Some intuitives explain imbalances in the context of cosmic grids, some rely on knowledge of energetic pathways, some see images like stills or films, some work with symbols, some hear information, some simply sense or “know.” By locating imbalances of the body at energetic and informational levels, we can assess a person’s overall experience and better understand how imbalances at the physical, mental and spiritual levels play a role in health and dysfunction. We often find that emotional triggers are closely related to physical imbalances. Powerful emotions such as grief or shame, for example, can distort the free flow of our life force energy (Qi or Prana), causing patterns of disharmony and dis-ease. Please see acupuncture page for more information. For lasting change to occur, issues are best addressed on all levels, so that the beliefs and emotions that bind them ease and integrate. Knowing where patterns become distorted affords us the courage to transform unresolved issues, reclaim our health, ground our highest purpose into the physical body and continue to evolve with wisdom and compassion. Intuitive counseling merges techniques of intuitive knowing with therapeutic counseling so that together we can more deeply and accurately identify issues that are blocking the fulfillment of your highest potential. Intuitive and energetic healing knows no bounds. While hands-on and acupuncture sessions are offered only in Tucson, AZ, Intuitive sessions take place in-person, by phone and Skype.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for healing and relaxation. It involves the lightest touch, "laying on of hands." Rei means "Universal Wisdom" and Ki means "Life force energy". Reiki accesses, mobilizes and enhances the divine flow of Life force energy. If our life force is low, mis-directed or compromised, we are more likely to get sick or feel stressed. If it is high and flowing easily, we have a greater resilience and capacity for joy and wellbeing. Reiki and other hands-on energy healing techniques allow us to feel the radiant flow of subtle energies through and around us. It has been shown to help virtually every known illness and malady and creates a beneficial effect. Hands-on energy healing combines beautifully with Intuitive reading for even deeper insights and transformation.

Homeopathy is a system of holistic medicine based on the theory of treating 'like with like' - in minute doses. Homeopathic remedies stimulate healing responses to disease patterns by mimicking the symptoms of those diseases in healthy people. While still a novice homeopathy student, I've been in the field of medicine long enough to know what suppresses or palliates symptoms and what can actually change peoples' lives. Homeopathy is inexpensive, portable, sustainable, user-friendly, and relatively easy-to-access medicine, making it a total win. Homeopathy holds the power to help people heal, evolve and thrive.