Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine emphasizes health by living in balance with the seasons and nature.  In the world today there are many factors that push the body out of alignment and may cause a hindrance to the proper flow of qi, blood, and lymph.

To bring the body back in alignment modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, taiji, qigong, and shiatsu are used to encourage balance within the body.

Chinese medicine is helpful for the following conditions:

      • Fertility
      • Chronic and acute pain
      • Low back pain
      • Anxiety
      • Depression
      • Addiction
      • Migraines
      • Gastrointestinal disorders
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Sleep problems
      • Fatigue
      • Post-surgical care
      • Exercise recovery time

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a holistic system that strives to find the cause of disease by understanding the body, mind, and spirit of the person. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods that encourage an inherent self-healing process. The following tenets outline how Naturopathic medicine philosophy is different than conventional medicine.

The healing power of nature 
Identify and treat the causes 
First do no harm 
Doctor as teacher 
Treat the whole person 
Prevention 

Naturopaths also use a therapeutic order when approaching a patient’s treatment plan. The diagram represents the therapeutic order where the initial approach to the patient begins at the base of the pyramid. However this is a general approach and there are many exceptions where surgery is the most effective and appropriate first step to care. It is the responsibility of the Naturopath and the medical care team to determine if these therapies are appropriate for each individual case.

 

Naturopathic doctors

Naturopathic doctors are clinically trained as primary care as well as incorporating medications and therapeutic tools such as botanical medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and physical medicine. At Althena Integrative Medicine we ask that you retain a primary care physician while seeking treatment from us.

Naturopathy can help these following conditions: Allergies, Chronic pain, Digestive conditions, Obesity, Respiratory conditions, Heart disease, Autoimmune conditions, Anxiety, Depression, and Diabetes.

Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the importance of nature as medicine for maintaining health. It focuses on prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic tools and natural substances to encourage a self-healing process.

 

Naturopathic Visit

The initial appointment will take an hour. Please bring in previous lab work to review. We will also complete any physical exams that fit the needs of your case. Based on your case, we will present what we think is going on and recommend treatments that would be most effective for your case.

The cost of the naturopathic initial visit is $208 for 60 minutes. Follow up appointments may range from $175 to $208 depending on complexity of your case.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a system used in China for three millennia to treat various conditions using needles to ultimately encourage the body more towards a healthy state. From a Chinese medicine perspective acupuncture is used when qi of the body is not moving adequately.   From a biomedical perspective it is known to stimulate the immune system, provide novel neurological input to alleviate pain and act on the central nervous system.

Acupuncture is used to treat many conditions including post-operative pain, drug addiction, hypertension, migraines, depression, anxiety, acute and chronic pain, fertility and allergies.

 

Other tools

In conjunction with acupuncture we also use cupping, shiatsu, and herbal formulas when appropriate.

 

Acupuncture visit

The initial appointment will take an hour. During that time we will use Chinese diagnostic techniques, which include palpating your pulse, observing your tongue, and palpating diagnostic points on the body. At that time we will come up with an appropriate acupuncture treatment plan. The acupuncture treatment will take 15-20 minutes of using disposable stainless steel needles inserted into the body.  As you are resting, we will closely monitor your progress throughout the treatment. Acupuncture is usually not painful however people have reported a dull or pricking sensation with insertion of the needle. Usually the experience is relaxing overall.

The cost of an acupuncture initial visit is $125 for 60 minutes. Follow up appointments may range from $125 to $65 depending on complexity of your case.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese choreographed massage form influenced by the theoretical framework of Chinese Medicine. Shiatsu means “to press” with the fingers but its deeper meaning is to calm with the hands. Jim Cleaver, our instructor, translates shiatsu as “tranquility through touch.”

Shiatsu is a style of bodywork and also a massage technique that is used to rejuvenate the body and relax the mind. At an advanced level it may compliment or substitute for an acupuncture treatment.

 

Shiatsu Massage visit

For a shiatsu visit it will take 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes. Please wear comfortable clothes since the massage is done through clothing. There will be a brief intake and then we will then begin the massage. Shiatsu involves gentle rocking of the body, acupressure, and gentle stretching of the body. Prepare to feel relaxed.

For a shiatsu massage visit we recommend at least an hour of treatment to complete a full form and to maximize the therapeutic effect.

The cost of shiatsu is $150 for 90 minutes, $100 for 60 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. 

Integrative Medicine

Althena Integrative Medicine is dedicated to use current research and traditional techniques drawn from Chinese medicine and Western medicine to provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare.

For our patients we provide integrative sessions to optimize efficiency of care and provide depth to their treatment options. In order to determine if we are a good fit for your goals we do free 15 minute consultations over the phone or in person.

 

Combined Naturopathic and Acupuncture visit

For a Naturopathic and Acupuncture initial visit, it will take an hour. It is rare to find a physician that can do both in the same visit so take advantage of it while it is available. Based on your situation, we will recommend treatments that would be most effective for your case which may include acupuncture, cupping or focused shiatsu to aid in your treatment plan.

The cost of a Naturopathic initial visit is $273 for 90 minutes. Follow up appointments are may range from $240 to $273 depending on complexity of your case.

 

Combined Naturopathic, Acupuncture, and Shiatsu

This is one of the few places where you can get this fusion of treatment options in one appointment from one physician. After you have had your appointment of a combined naturopathic and acupuncture visit you will also receive focused shiatsu in the remaining time.

The cost of an initial visit is $298 for 90 minutes. Follow up appointments may range from $298 to $265 depending on complexity of your case.

 

Acupuncture and Shiatsu

An acupuncture visit with shiatsu will take an hour. It will be similar to an acupuncture visit followed by shiatsu for the remaining time period.

The cost of an initial visit is $175 for 60 minutes. Follow up appointments will be $115 for 60 minutes.