Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is a traditional system of medicine that uses carefully selected combinations of herbs and other natural substances to address patterns of imbalance in the body. In this context, imbalance refers to the way different functions of the body may no longer be working together as smoothly or efficiently as they should. Rather than relying on a single substance aimed at one specific target, Chinese herbal medicine commonly combines multiple ingredients within a formula, with each contributing to the overall therapeutic approach. The formula may then be adjusted over time as the person’s needs and pattern change.
Herbal Medicine Appointments
Initial Herbal Medicine Consultation — 45 minutes
For those beginning herbal care, this appointment allows time to assess your concerns and determine an individualized herbal approach.
Flexible Treatment Members receive 10% off the Initial Herbal Medicine Consultation.
Herbal Medicine Follow-Up — 30 minutes
For established herbal patients, this appointment provides time to review your response to the current formula and make adjustments when appropriate.
How Your Herbal Formula Is Chosen
Choosing an herbal formula begins with identifying a Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis, rather than selecting an herb or formula solely because a particular condition has been named. Two people with the same Western medical diagnosis may experience it differently and may therefore benefit from different herbal formulas.
During your consultation, we consider your primary concern within the context of how your body is functioning as a whole. This may include sleep, digestion, appetite, thirst, energy, temperature, pain, bowel and urinary function, emotional well-being, menstrual or hormonal patterns when applicable, and other changes occurring throughout the body. Tongue and pulse findings may also contribute to the assessment. Together, this information helps identify the pattern that guides the treatment principle and selection of an appropriate formula.
Sometimes an established traditional formula closely matches your presentation. In other cases, individual herbs may be added, removed, or adjusted to better reflect your particular combination of symptoms and needs. The formula may also be refined over time when needed, based on how your body responds and whether your pattern changes.
If Chinese herbal medicine is a form of care you find helpful and prefer, it can also be continued as part of your approach to health and well-being. Follow-up visits, when appropriate, allow us to reassess what your body needs and make adjustments if necessary. Herbal medicine may be used for a particular period of support or returned to periodically as your health needs change.
Telehealth
Telehealth offers focused remote care when an in-person visit is not practical. Sessions may include guidance in acupressure, therapeutic movement, home-care strategies, and review of symptoms or progress. Because some aspects of assessment and treatment require in-person or hands-on care, telehealth may also help determine when an office visit would be more beneficial. It may also help identify when your concerns are better addressed through continued Chinese medicine care or evaluation by another healthcare provider.
Telehealth Appointments
Initial Telehealth Consultation — 45 minutes
For those beginning care through telehealth when their concerns can be appropriately evaluated and supported remotely.
Flexible Treatment Members receive 10% off the Initial Telehealth Consultation.
Telehealth Follow-Up — 30 minutes
For continued assessment, treatment guidance, and support when an in-person visit is not necessary.
How Telehealth Can Support Your Care
For herbal medicine follow-up visits, telehealth can be used to review how you are responding to your formula, discuss changes in symptoms or your overall pattern, and make adjustments when needed.
Telehealth may also be used separately for individualized self-care support. Depending on your needs, this may include guided acupressure techniques, Qigong practices, specific yoga postures, or other recommendations that can be incorporated at home.
Some concerns are better evaluated in person, particularly when hands-on assessment would provide important clinical information. When that is the case, I may recommend an in-person visit or another appropriate type of evaluation.