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My clinical practice is a unique synergy of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Chinese Medicine.
I also work with clinical hypnotherapy and guided meditation practices.
My practice works with a wide range of medical conditions including pain patterns, internal medicine, trauma, and psycho-emotional health.
I apply various therapeutic tools in my practice such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, heat therapies, hypnotherapy, and more.
What Conditions Do I Treat?
I offer holistic, family care in my practice. I treat a range of conditions including:
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orthopedic pain patterns
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gastrointestinal conditions
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autoimmune conditions
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oncology supportive care
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genitourinary health
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seasonal allergies and chronic sinusitis
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Men's and women's health
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Addiction recovery & care
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migraines
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anemia
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post-traumatic stress
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depression
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anxiety
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weight management
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seasonal health
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preventative holistic care
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and more...
How Do I Treat?
My practice derives from two systems of traditional Eastern Medicine: Tibetan Medicine and Chinese Medicine. I draw from the complex, nuanced theory, diagnostic methods and therapeutic tools of these amazing, ancient systems of elemental medicine.
Some of the key features of my clinical practice include:
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Acupuncture
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Herbal formulae
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Moxibustion
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Cupping
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Pulse diagnosis
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Tongue diagnosis
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Guided meditation
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Herbal compresses and poultices
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Tibetan Kunye massage
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Hot stones and other heated compresses
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Diet and lifestyle counseling
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Breathing exercises
Tibetan Medicine
Traditional Tibetan Medicine is known as "Sowa Rigpa" (གསོ་བ་རིག་པ།) or, "Science of Healing". This ancient medical practice is based on a system of Five Elements, and the balance of those elements within the human physiological condition. Our traditional diagnostic methods include verbal inquiry, pulse, tongue, and urine diagnosis. We then apply the four methods of treatments which include treatment by diet, lifestyle, herbal medicines, and external therapies. We use traditional herbal formulae, topicals, and traditional dietary supplements. Our therapeutics include "Kunye" (བསྐུ་མཉེ།) massage, heated compresses, herbal poultices, medicinal baths and more. Tibetan Medicine offers effective treatment of many different conditions. It provides customized, individualized treatments, well as insight into the nature of our own elemental constitution.
Chinese Medicine
The study and practice of medicine is an illustrious and incredibly profound aspect of classical Chinese culture. Developed over several millennia, Chinese Medicine relies upon a rich canon of classical texts and commentaries. These texts reflect currents and trends of academic development and cultural influence over the centuries. The historical and cultural significance of Chinese Medicine cannot be overstated. It absorbed the intellectual advances of neighboring cultures, as well as exported its own great innovations across the world. Today, the influence of Chinese Medicine expands to fill important and innovative roles in the spectrum of modern medicine and today's healthcare needs worldwide.
The theory of Chinese Medicine stems from the wisdom of examining the natural world, and humanity's place within nature. The phases of the Five Elements, the cycles of the seasons, and the patterns of natural phenomena all contribute to a wealth of wisdom and insight into the nature of human health and the practice of medicine.
In practice, Chinese Medicine applies potent therapeutic tools such as acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping to treat and prevent disease. Practitioners utilize a vast pharmacopeia of herbal medicines for the prevention and treatment of a huge range of health conditions.
Traditional Diagnostic Methods
Pulse Diagnosis
Palpation of the pulse is a crucial aspect of diagnostic practice in both Tibetan and Chinese Medicine. The pulse can reveal information about all the major organ systems in the body. The pulse expresses the patient's medical history past and present. It expresses the physical state, the mental-emotional state, constitutional factors, seasonal factors, ancestral influences and more.
Tongue Diagnosis
Observation of the tongue provides a microsystem representation of the entire body. The tongue expresses the health of the gastrointestinal system, the respiratory system and other internal organ systems. It shows the strength of the blood, the metabolic heat, fluid metabolism and more.
There are many traditional diagnostic methods!
In the ancient medical traditions of Tibetan Medicine and Chinese Medicine, there exist a wealth of useful diagnostic methods. In addition to analysis of the tongue and pulse, I also utilize observation of the face and body features, the voice, the urine, body odor, and more.
Acupuncture
The stimulation of special points on the body exists in every system of traditional medicine I am aware of. The theory and practice of Chinese acupuncture derive from millennia of study and clinical application. It is rooted in prehistoric healing practices, yet continues being developed and researched in the present day.
This science relies on points and channels along the body. The points and channels are like a roadmap. They express the complex dynamics of Yin and Yang, and the cyclical phases of the Five Elements, within our bodies. Acupuncture theory articulates the expression of Universal principles within the context of the human dimension. It empowers us to utilize these principles to benefit our health in countless ways.
I use acupuncture to treat potentially any condition, from orthopedic pain patterns to internal medicine and mental-emotional health issues. Needling the points is like typing commands on a keyboard. It activates our innate healing response and directs our deep energetic resources to the desired area.
Modern medical research links acupuncture with a wide variety of therapeutic functions. Acupuncture works with our complex system of neurochemical responses. It can initiate a "reboot" of neurological pain and tension patterns. It can help regulate our endocrine function. It can stimulate the release of dopamine and beta-endorphins. Acupuncture can stimulate digestive enzyme production, intestinal lubrication, absorption, and peristalsis. There is an impressive body of modern research supporting the benefits of acupuncture, in addition to the millennia of traditional science.
Herbal Formulae
Herbal formulae are among the most important methods of treatment in traditional Eastern Medicine. Herbal formulae can benefit most conditions including internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, psycho-emotional health, and more. In my practice, I work with the herbalism theory of Tibetan Medicine and Chinese Medicine. I use high-quality herbal medicines, sourced from the most reliable and reputable traditional herbal pharmacies. My herbal formulae are thoroughly tested for purity and safety.
Typically, formulae combine numerous herbs together in highly specialized and nuanced ways. They are designed to maximize specific therapeutic effects, target specific physiological systems, minimize side effects, and promote the homeostatic balance of all systems.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a truly ancient therapeutic treatment, found in various forms throughout many cultures around the world. Moxibustion is the practice of burning herbs, usually a species of artemisia, close to or on top of the skin, to provide powerfully penetrating heat, deep into the body. This technique provides focused heat, as well as topical herbal functions, to achieve a variety of therapeutic results. Moxibustion, or "moxa", is used very effectively for pain management, orthopedic injuries, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, neurological issues, psycho-emotional health, and more. Moxa is a very important tool in traditional Eastern Medicine because it is simple, safe, pleasant, and profoundly beneficial.
Guided Meditation
Guided Meditation uses visualization and imagery to facilitate connection with our natural trance state. This hypnotic trance is a natural capacity of our consciousness. We enter a state of natural trance very frequently in daily life, such as when we are deeply relaxed, daydreaming, meditating, "zoning-out", listening to beautiful music, or falling asleep. This hypnotic trance state is deeply restorative, peaceful, and can be very enjoyable.
In our guided meditation session we work within this state to affect therapeutic benefits.
"Horme" Hot Oil Compress
Horme therapy, also known as "num dug", or "loong dug", is a simple and highly effective therapeutic intervention used in traditional Tibetan Medicine. This technique consists of a small bundle of herbs, usually carraway and/or nutmeg, soaked in warm oil, and applied topically to specific points or areas on the body. Horme is similar in function to moxibustion. However, it integrates the soothing, nourishing, therapeutic benefits of warm oil, in addition to the topical herbal function and penetrating heat. In Tibetan Medicine, we apply this warm, soothing, restorative treatment for many conditions. These include pain management, benefitting joints, muscles, and sinews, insomnia, psycho-emotional wellness, gastrointestinal issues, and more.
Cupping
Cupping is a well-known technique in traditional Eastern Medicine. It is a safe, effective, and relatively simple technique. Cupping applies direct suction to stimulate the skin, fascia, and muscle. This technique functions to stimulate the circulation of blood, lymph, and other fluids to perfuse the tissues in localized areas. This helps to relieve pain, improve mobility, accelerate healing, and provides other therapeutic benefits to the patient.
There are various types of cups and techniques for the application of cupping. Cups may be made of glass, metal, bamboo, plastic, or ceramic. They may use fire to create suction, or a modern suction device. These different styles each have their specific applications and indications to benefit the client.
Hot Stones and Other Compresses
Traditional Tibetan Medicine utilizes a variety of compresses, poultices, herbal baths, wraps, and other topical treatments. There are hot and cold compress treatments. Compress therapies are highly effective and versatile, benefiting orthopedic pain, internal medicine issues, and other conditions. In my clinical practice, I commonly use heated compress treatments, often in conjunction with acupuncture, Kunye massage, and other methods. I use hot stones, heated sand compress, heated salt compress, and heated herbal poultices. I find these compress treatments to be highly useful to benefit pain, stiffness, and inflammation from acute and chronic orthopedic injuries, muscular injuries, tendonitis, as well as arthritic conditions.
Tibetan Kunye Massage
Kunye is the traditional Tibetan Medicine system of massage and gentle external therapies. Kunye includes a range of techniques such as gentle and deep massaging, warm oils, herbal-infused oils, working on special points, joint mobilization, assisted stretching, as well as various compresses and topical treatments.
Kunye is beneficial for a variety of conditions. It is warming, nourishing, restorative and versatile. Kunye relieves stress, anxiety and particularly helps to balance the wind element, or Loong Nyepa, according to Tibetan Medicine theory. It is an excellent therapy for geriatric clients as well as pediatrics. Kunye benefits mental focus and emotional wellness. It soothes depression and is very helpful for the grieving process. I often recommend Kunye for anyone who is fatigued from overworking, traveling frequently, or generally feeling depleted and vulnerable. I often include a short Kunye session in my clinical treatments, to smooth out residual tensions and enhance the therapeutic benefits.
Educational Courses
I offer a variety of classes, webinars, and educational content live and online. My courses cover a range of topics pertaining to Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Medicine, diet, lifestyle, holistic health, wellness, and more. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to participate in some exciting classes and educational programs. I have lectured and workshopped at Stanford School of Medicine, San Francisco State University, Five Branches University, and other venues.
I host an ongoing webinar series with the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine. We interview a variety of guests, exploring topics of Eastern Medicine, health, wellness, spirituality, and science. I work extensively with the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine, where I am a certified Instructor of Tibetan Medicine, and serve on the Board of Directors.
Guided Meditation
Meditation is a profoundly useful practice for our health and happiness. I strongly encourage all of my clients to work with a meditation practice which suites their unique, personal needs. Likewise, I also must consistently work on my own practice.
That is why I periodically invite my community of friends, family, and clients to join me for a group meditation session. These can be either online or, when public health guidelines permit, in person. Group practice is very inspiring and helpful. In my classes we explore various types of meditation, and work together in a supportive way. My guided meditation classes are always completely free of charge and open to the public.