Acupuncture &
Chinese Medicine

The art of Chinese medicine arose over 5,000 years ago and developed into a comprehensive health system which looks at the whole body as a dynamic, energetic force. The philosophy, at its core, recognizes that a human’s innate vital life force, or “Qi,” must be in balance to have a healthy mind, body and spirit. When there is an imbalance to Qi, illness and disease can manifest. A Chinese medicine practitioner is trained in the ancient art of redirecting and balancing Qi through the use of various tools, including different types of needling, manual body work, cupping, herbal medicine, nutrition, movement and more. 

When Chinese medicine is integrated with conventional medicine and naturopathic principles, there is greater capacity to meet each individual’s unique health needs while ensuring accurate medical diagnoses and symptom relief. No human responds to all treatments alike, and having access to a wide array of therapeutic tools and philosophies makes individualized medicine possible at Framework.  

MODALITIES OFFERED

• Traditional Acupuncture: Thin needles strategically placed into the skin along Meridians (the network of channels through which Qi flows) to target specific organ systems and health complaints.  This includes electro-stim acupuncture which adds a safe electrical current designed to further stimulate the tissues. 
• Orthopedic Acupuncture: Combines traditional acupuncture with a technique often referred to as dry needling, wherein thin needles are placed to target trigger points involved in neuromuscular pain. 
• Cupping: Creates a temporary, localized suction on underlying tissues which helps to enhance blood flow, relax soft tissues and relieve pain. 
• Gua Sha (Scraping): Therapeutic scraping with a smooth tool over targeted regions of the body to help break down scar tissue, enhance blood flow and improve joint mobility. Similar to Graston technique commonly administered by Physical Therapists. 
• Tuina (Chinese massage): An ancient form of massage involving pushing, pulling and squeezing connective tissues and muscle to provide myofascial release and pain relief. 
• Postural Assessment: Integral to the practice of sports medicine & orthopedic acupuncture as it helps to identify muscle weakness, imbalances and limitations to mobility.
• Nutrition & Exercise Instruction: Individualized diet & movement recommendations formulated to optimize the flow of Qi and correct imbalances. 
• Topical & Internal Chinese Herbal Medicine: Chinese herbs are a powerful tool which can be used topically to address pain, or taken orally as a full-body therapy designed to restore optimal energy (Qi) balance and target specific organs systems. It is commonly combined with one or more of the Chinese Medicine modalities listed above. 

COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED

• Sports & Orthopedic Injuries: Both acute and chronic overuse injuries of the axial spine, shoulders, hips, knees and other major joints. Often used for acute sprains, muscle strains and to support healing following orthopedic surgery. 
• Other Chronic Pain: Chronic neuropathic pain (diabetic neuropathy, nerve injuries, trigeminal neuralgia and idiopathic neuropathy), and joint pain from osteoarthritis, hyper-mobility and repeat injuries. Also helpful for Fibromyalgia, chronic tension headaches and migraines. 
• Digestive Disorders: Including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and indigestion, chronic constipation, chronic bloat and nausea. 
• Hormonal Imbalance (male & female): Cortisol excess and deficiency, thyroid disorders, decreased libido, night sweats, and changes in mood and sleep. 
• Women’s Health: Including irregular or painful periods, excess bleeding, fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), peri-menopause and menopause. 
• Chronic Stress: Relaxation for excess stress response leading to anxiety, depression, blood pressure changes, sleep changes and more. 
• General Wellness & Immune Function: Including enhanced energy & sports performance, better sleep & mood, and decreased susceptibility to seasonal cold & flu.