My Acupuncture Style

Acupuncture can seem mysterious and unfamiliar, so I'd like to say a little about what sets my approach apart and what you can expect from your experience with me.  My systematic and channel-based approach draws from the teachings of three of the most prominent acupuncture masters and their lineage bearers:  Dr. Richard Tan, Master Tung, and Dr. Wang Ju-Yi, and from my root teacher, Leon Powers.

For me, there's no better learning than the in-person apprenticeship I received from my root teacher, Leon Powers.  He is the founder of Cypress Pavilion Acupuncture located in Scottsdale, AZ and has been a professor for years at Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture (PIHMA), my alma mater.  Leon is a remarkable physicist, martial artist and acupuncturist who has studied with masters in both China and the United States.  When I began my journey into acupuncture and Asian medicine (AAM) I was extremely fortunate to begin under Leon's tutelage at PIHMA.  What struck me most about Leon's teaching is his understanding of the science and logical nature of this medicine.  As someone with an analytical, systems-thinking mind, this was a music to my ears.  He helped make the esoteric and mysterious aspects of this medicine tangible for me.  Through years of learning from him, I have developed a strong foundation in this complex and somewhat "foreign" medicine.  As I continue to integrate Leon's teachings into my own practice, I am ever-grateful for his generosity and wisdom as a teacher.

Dr. Tan's approach emphasizes the use of distal acupuncture points selected based on the patient's symptomatic complaints and channel balance. This approach can provide quick and often dramatic results while minimizing discomfort and the need for many needles.  Many of the most powerful acupuncture points on the body are located on the hands and feet, so don't be surprised when I place needles in the wrist to treat your neck, or on the foot to treat your head.  The Balance Method can address internal conditions as well as musculoskeletal and pain conditions.

Master Tung's system uses its own unique set of points located mostly on the limbs and torso.  These Tung points are believed to have a more powerful and immediate effect on the body, making them suitable for treating a wide range of health conditions.  Tung style acupuncture can address internal conditions, emotional-psychological conditions, and musculoskeletal issues, too.

Dr. Wang Ju-Yi's theory takes a comprehensive approach to acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. It focuses on the interplay of the networked systems in the body, as well as the flow of Qi and blood, to identify and treat the root cause of a patient's health problems. Dr. Wang's approach emphasizes the use of specific acupuncture points along the affected channels, as well as herbal medicine and other modalities, to restore balance and harmony in the body.  A signature component of Dr. Wang's style is palpation of the body to feel for subtle and obvious nodules, texture and temperature changes.  I take extra time during our first appointment to palpate below your elbows and knees to refine the diagnosis and treatment plan.

I'm here to help you navigate the difficult terrain of living with persistent or complex pain and trauma. However, I'm also here if you're just not quite feeling your best.  You may not be experiencing debilitation pain, but you know that you've hit a wall and need a reset.  The power of AAM is that it is versatile and allows us to work at all levels--mental, emotional and spiritual by tapping into the resilience and strength of the mind-body connection.  And because it works by activating the body's own healing pathways, it's an extremely safe, non-invasive way to feel better.