What we can treat with acupuncture and chinese medicine

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture have had successful treatments through an array of treatment strategies. Although the diagnostic theory differs from that of Western medicine, this medicine has proven effective for over 3,000 years of study and practice. Dr. Hartzman practices this medicine as a generalist (as the body is wholly connected, no system is separated in treatment), however, below are conditions that can be treated through this medicine in her practice. Treatment support is not limited to this list!

Digestive Health

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can support Digestive health through regulation and diet suggestions. With or without a Western diagnosis, we can treat conditions that include and not limited to: discomfort or abdominal pain, emotional fluctuations with digestion, poor appetite, Crohn’s disease, weight loss or gain, acid reflux, ulcers, GERD, IBS, diarrhea, or constipation.

Respiratory Health and Immune Support

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are lovely support systems for supporting your immune health year-round. There are preventative formulas available for specific needs as well as different acute and chronic formulas for your needs. This medicine can help reduce the symptoms of asthma, sinus complications, chronic phlegm, frequent colds, flus, colds, chronic fatigue symptoms, shortness of breath, bronchitis, and other various symptoms. 

Should you experience a cold that is contagious such as the flu or COVID, Dr. Hartzman asks that you proceed with a virtual consult and can have herbal remedies drop shipped to you or will be dropped off to your house from the clinic.

Emotional Health and Wellness

Some lineages of Chinese Medicine say that physical ailments are rooted in the health of the Spirit (Shen). Disturbances in emotional well-being can cause physical pain and discomfort that can be seen as anxiety, insomnia, depression, PMS with emotional imbalances, PTSD, obsessive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, digestive distress, disordered eating and other ways this manifests with emotional expression. 

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a great resource to work together with Western therapy strategies such as talk therapy, EMDR, psychedelic support, and even Western medications.

Women's / Uterus Health

This medicine has a beautiful record of treating conditions associated with the uterus. Through herbal medicine and acupuncture, there have been astounding treatments and health. Instead of getting on a birth control pill for hormonal regulation, we have many treatments that can help support endometriosis, painful periods, menstrual symptoms, PMS, PMDD, irregular periods, getting off of birth control, heavy periods, morning sickness, pregnancy support, breech position, delayed labor, insufficient lactation, PPD, hot flashes, menopausal syndrome, PCOS, and more.

We also really love supporting fertility journeys through this medicine. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have detailed differentiation in uterine, hormonal, and fertility care. This can be supportive by itself or in addition to making IVF and IUI more successful.

Men's Health

Not only do female bodies need hormone support being regulated, but so do male bodies! For male bodies, testosterone problems can come in many ways. These imbalances can be seen as (but not limited to) erectile dysfunction, high or low libido, fatigue, irritability, testicular problems, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. 

Male embodied folks may also need emotional support, which can be supported through Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. This can come through forms of PTSD, anxiety, or other forms of emotional regulation support.

Pain or Paralysis (Acute or Chronic)

Acupuncture and physical treatments support your body with both acute and chronic injuries to manage painful conditions. Needle treatments and external herbal treatments can support blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and shift the nervous system’s response to pain.

We can support the following conditions (and more): back pain, sciatica, hip pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, headaches and migraines, post-surgical pain, TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, toothache, sinus pain, bell’s palsy, post-stroke, paralysis, and sports injuries.

For athletes, regular treatments can support your body in active care while conditioning and actively participating in sports. As a previous competitive softball player, I wish I had access to this through high school.

Cancer Treatment Support

Acupuncture has been shown to be “an appropriate adjunctive treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting” (J Clin Oncology, 2013 Mar 1;31 (7))  People undergoing cancer treatments who are also receiving acupuncture report feeling stronger and more resilient. Often, they require less medication and maintain better blood counts. There are additional papers on Google Scholar that explore how Acupuncture can support cancer treatments.

In Chinese Medicine a few treatment strategies are taken into account. How to fight the cancer, support the body’s natural ability to heal itself, and include ways for the body to eliminate toxins. Standard Western care provides a lot of toxic care to fight cancer, however, often lacks the care of supporting the body’s natural immunity as well as allowing these toxin’s to be eliminated through the stools. This process often leaves the patient feeling emotionally and physically depleted. At any stage one may be in for cancer care, this medicine can support your Western treatment, boosting natural resistance, creating resilience, and calming emotions that may arise.

Transgender, Non-binary, and Queer Health

Meditating on your true form of self can be supplemented through hormonal transitioning or without that use. Moving through hormonal therapies to feel like yourself can feel like another form of puberty. Whether or not you use biomedical hormonal therapy to explore a deeper sense of self or not, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can support your emotional and embodied journey to feel at home and safe in your body.

Disclaimer: While I am a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist, this newsletter is educational and not a substitute for individualized medical care. I cannot provide personal medical or dietary advice without a full clinical intake and informed consent.