For the third consecutive term, I am treating patients at Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego, mainly in the Hematology and Oncology departments, although our free services are available to all patients.  Though I am only there Monday afternoons from 1-5pm, the Integrative Medicine outpatient clinic, with which I am extremely honored to be associated, is also there Thursdays. 

I usually have one or two appointments available Tuesday mornings at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Barry Xin who is known as one of the most compassionate Oriental Medicine Doctors on campus, and specializes in endocrinology and herbal formulas. Though Dr. Xin has a reputation for successfully treating diabetic patients, I welcome and encourage everyone to seek regular treatment during this shift. 

Wednesday mornings, my supervisor is Shelly Krahn who specializes in Fertility and Women's Health, but men and women of all ages are welcome to seek treatment during this shift which often fills up, so please call in advance for an appointment. 

In summary, I will be available for appointments:
Monday 1:00-5:00 Rady Children's Hospital 
Tuesday 8:30-12:30 Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Wednesday 9:00-1:00 Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
through mid August.

For the last two weeks of August, I will be available every day for acupuncture appointments 9am-5pm at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Initial visits are $44, and $39 for return visits (or $31 for seniors, military, and college students) although I have vouchers for $15 2nd visits to encourage you to come back for a follow-up.

Helpful links:
Rady Integrative Medicine:
http://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/cancer-blood-disorders/integrative-medicine-program/

Dr. Barry Xin bio
http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-college-campuses/san-diego/san-diego-faculty.html?pid=688&sid=2220:barry-baoyu-xin-omd-phd

Shelly Krahn bio
http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-college-campuses/san-diego/san-diego-faculty.html?pid=688&sid=2251:shelly-krahn-lac

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego Clinic
http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-clinic/san-diego.html

I recently read an article about massage that highlighted some points that I would like to share. I have listed the themes from the article and provided my own perspective below:

1. For chronic pain sufferers, change will not come overnight.
Many people have come to me with the misconception that massage and/ or acupuncture will completely alleviate their condition(s) in one appointment, and when that doesn't happen, the practitioner or the medicine is bad-mouthed. There is no magic pill; you have to commit to getting better.
During my internship in China, I observed patients returning daily until their conditions improved, at which time they would come less frequently, until they were eventually able to come in for routine preventative maintenance once or twice per month.

2. Your weight, body hair, toe nails or rough feet are not under scrutiny.
We are all just people, and we come in all sizes and shapes; some of us are hairy or have eczema, etc. I will say, however, that is courteous to shower beforehand, or at least not come in filthy or smelling offensively. I shower and brush my teeth immediately before work so I don't think I'm being unreasonable in my request.

3. Your massage therapist is there to help you.
This is your treatment session, so tell me what you need. I will do my best to meet your needs, but keep in mind that not everyone is a perfect match. If my particular style doesn't work for you, I have a network of colleagues that I will happily refer. I genuinely want what's best for you.

4. Your privacy and boundaries should be respected at all times.
I always instruct my clients to undress to their level of comfort, whether that means full-Monty, or fully clothed; and explain that they will be covered by the sheet and I will only expose the area that I am working on. Any off-limit body parts remain that way.


5. If you regularly commit to massage, it will change your life.
See for yourself!

Once upon a time, I sought a future in educating children. I majored in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education, and acquired employment within an elementary school district. Shortly after, I began having children of my own, abandoned the prospect of being a paid educator, and put all my efforts into my own kids. However, I have been volunteering in their schools for the past 10 years, and seem to have a good rapport with youngsters.

When I began my education in Chinese Medicine, I was unsure about the area in which to specialize. Recently, my business partner suggested that I pursue pediatrics. I have been using this medicine with my own kids and the children of friends for several years anyway, so I decided to open myself up to the possibility, and am currently signed up to do an internship at Rady Children's Hospital next term.

There are many alternatives to needle insertion that employ the principles of traditional medicine. Though my older daughter (14) accepts a limited number of needles in select areas of her body, and is compliant with patented herbal formulas; and my younger daughter (8) will, if caught in the right mood, accept up to 4 needles on her lower legs and feet, they both prefer press-seeds, massage, and fire-cupping, and always love select, (tasty) raw herbal formulas that I serve as "tea." In addition to the education and experience I will receive during my internship at Children's, I expect to learn Shonishin, a Japanese acupressure technique, and look forward to implementing it into my private practice.

I've just returned from a month in Sichuan, China where I completed 88 hours of study at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (and trekked a 10,000' mountain- my first ever!) My focuses in acupuncture, tuina (massage), and internal medicine included gastrointestinal, geriatrics, oncology, and pediatrics.

It was reassuring to see that what I have been learning these last four years is exactly what is being practiced in China. Though I do not speak Mandarin, and very little English is spoken in Chengdu, those of us in the hospital were definitely speaking the same language: TCM.

A major difference I observed, however, is patient compliance. In China, patients will go in for daily treatments, 5-7 days per week for a month or longer; however long it takes to resolve their condition. Acupuncture and massage is performed on people of all ages including infants, and herbal formulas are taken as directed. By contrast, in the U.S., we are lucky to see patients once per week, and it's rare to treat someone who actually takes their herbs. It's unfortunate because, if administered correctly, this medicine works. 

I signed up for yoga at a community college because I need a class to help me hold myself accountable since I sometimes let my home practice find its way to the proverbial back-burner, but I am budgeting for China. The most affordable private studio in town runs $75/ month, unlimited, which is a great deal, and happens to be at one of my favorite local studios, but more than I am willing to spend. After registering for school, and paying the mandatory health fee and per-unit tuition, I am entitled to two 90-minute classes per week for five months, plus free to low-cost health services for a total of $66. Not bad.

It turns out that the yoga, itself, leaves some things to be desired, but there are other valuable things to be gained from this experience. Because it is a college course, students are required to learn more than just asanas and vinyasa flow. Each class begins with a 10-15 minute lecture (so we really only get 30-40 minutes of actual yoga), and the homework requires students to learn about our bodies, including our diets and exercise habits, and how we are affected by them, so I am privy to a nice, abbreviated review of things I'd learned in Nutrition and Science classes. In addition, I have found My Fitness Pal to be a useful tool which I can access from my computer and mobile device. It, too, helps me to hold myself accountable for my health.

Most recently, we were encouraged to have our blood pressure taken at the Health Services office on campus. Had this not been assigned, I may never have learned where the office is, nor what services are offered, because I monitor my blood pressure on my own. When I signed in, I noticed that there were several options to explain the reason for my visit. One option was "blood work." Who knew that, for $40, you could get a complete blood panel done? After having my blood pressure taken, I decided to have blood drawn. Because I had to fast 12 hours beforehand, I decided to go in later in the week. (No appointment necessary.)

I will receive my lab results Monday when the nurse goes over the numbers with me. In the mean time, I will be nursing this mess she made of my arm. Ouch!

Beginning next week, I will be assisting Tracie Livermore as she teaches Stretching and Traction, a massage class offered at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. I am looking forward to refining my classroom skills which have been on hiatus since I was employed by South Bay Union School District in San Diego, followed by an after-school science program through which I taught at various elementary schools in San Francisco in the mid 1990s. (Yes, it's been awhile!) As an added bonus, I expect assisting in the classroom will provide the opportunity for me to pick up several more stretching techniques than I currently employ in my private practice. ...More tools for my healing toolbox!

Because the holiday season is upon us and I will not be available for appointments between December 10 and January 2, I have decided to offer gift certificates, available in my new online store.

Most of my clients regularly receive 60 minute massages, though I have a few who prefer 90 minutes on my table, and, when trading services with other CMTs, sessions tend to last 2 hours. Therefore, I am offering gift certificates for each of these lengths of time. 

The gift certificates expire 60 days* from the date of purchase, allowing the recipient two months to schedule an appointment when it is most convenient for him or her (subject to availability), by calling or texting the number on the back of the certificate, or via the website (listed just below the phone number). Purchases are non-refundable and, because the gift certificates hold no cash value, no dollar amount is indicated on the certificate itself. If it is mutually convenient, I am happy to hand-deliver the gift certificates, or I can send them to either the buyer or recipient via USPS first class mail. 

The gift of massage is an excellent way to show someone you care, and a unique way to say, "Thank you." Gift certificates also make great incentive rewards and auction items. I can't think of a reason not to buy one!


*Because I will not be available for the last two weeks of the year, the expiration date will be extended for gift certificates affected by my absence.

I've decided to explore Chinese Medicine in its place of origin by participating in a certificated clinical training program and attending lectures at a Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital during the months of April and May, 2014. 

The cost of the field trip is $3250. This includes a student visa, round trip air fare from LAX, transfers, hotel accommodations, and breakfast. Additionally, I will need to budget for personal expenses such as lunch and dinner, and any sight-seeing I will be doing abroad. And, although we can get plenty of products made in China right here in the United States, I imagine I will be shopping for a few souvenirs. I've spoken with several colleagues whom have participated in previous trips and they estimate $700 is a conservative budget for these expenses.

This will be my first time traveling internationally (excluding Baja and a childhood trip to Japan via USN) and I will need to purchase a few items beforehand, including

• passport
• power converter
• comfortable walking shoes

I've also been warned that public restrooms are holes in the ground that are not equipped with, well, anything, so add toilet paper and hand sanitizer to that list!

I will be living on an even tighter budget than usual from now on in order to make this trip happen, so if you're feeling generous, please click the button below and know that your donation supports my education and is greatly appreciated! 谢谢

Many of my clients seek treatment for neck and shoulder soreness, tightness, or pain. When discussing treatment plans with my business partner, a licensed acupuncturist who co-treats a number of these individuals, we have referred to this particular protocol as The Uzh (as in The Usual), because this complaint is quite common.
Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a common condition explained by Dr. Janda and easily recognized by a hunched over posture, rounded shoulders, and head protruding forward. UCS, also referred to as Shoulder Girdle Crossed Syndrome, is basically a muscular imbalance: the tightness of the upper trapezius and levator scapula on the back of the body “cross” with the tightness of pectoralis major and pectoralis minor on the chest, and the weakness of the deep cervical flexors in the front of the neck “cross” with the weakness of the middle and lower trapezius of the back. This pattern therefore creates muscle soreness and joint dysfunction in the neck (atlanto-occipital joint and at C4-C5), shoulders (cervicothoracic and glenohumeral joints), and upper back (T4-T5), and often leads to tension headaches.

UCS develops as a result of repetitive motion and improper posture. Even exercise can put people at risk. Those who work out the chest and upper trapezius muscles more than the lower trapezius and rhomboids will eventually develop UCS. In my experience, however, the one thing that my clients complaining of muscle soreness in the neck and shoulders (and upper back) have in common is that, standing or sitting, they all work at a computer; a sign of the times.

Though massage can temporarily alleviate the soreness associated with UCS, strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles will help prevent it from worsening, and hopefully even reverse the damage. If left untreated, UCS may eventually lead to conditions such as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, so, if you think your uppers are crossed, it's probably time for an evaluation!

Every Thursday from 3p-7p through August 8, I will be providing community style acupuncture treatments with a volunteer team of licensed acupuncturists and one other intern. Locations vary according to the week, so please follow the link by clicking the photo for details.