Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient and complete system of healing developed over 3000 years ago. TCM recognizes the importance of harmony between the body, mind, and spirit, and seeks to restore and maintain the balance among them. TCM utilizes various modalities in order to achieve total body wellness. These include but are not limited to, herbal medicine, qigong, cupping and moxibustion, therapeutic massage, nutritional counseling, and the gentle and effective art of acupuncture.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is based on the concept of qi (“chi”.) Qi is the body’s own unique energy, or life force. Qi circulates throughout the body within meridians, also known as energy pathways. When the body is healthy, qi flows smoothly and freely through the meridians. However, if qi flow becomes disrupted, then illness may take root. We use painless needles inserted at certain acupoints along the meridians to restore proper balance and harmony to the patient.
TCM and Acupuncture have been used successfully in the treatment of many health conditions. These include: digestive disorders, back pain, headache, sleep disorders, menstrual disorders, stress and depression, hormonal imbalances, skin conditions, immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, fertility issues, and many more. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now endorsed acupuncture in the treatment of over 40 health conditions.
Clinical Nutrition
Our body is made up of 100 trillion cells and relies on us to deliver proper nutrients to the cells and allow the waste products to be released. A hefty order! Without all of the proper nutrients, our cells cannot function optimally, and this can result in a compromise of tissue and organ function. If the toxins and waste products do not leave our bodies efficiently, our overall health and energy will be compromised. At the Santa Monica Wellness Center, we have a passion for good food and nutrition, not fad diets!
Our nutritional counseling does not consist of giving you a diet to follow. It is about finding out what your lifestyle and health concerns are and educating you about food choices that are reasonable for you. It is about finding out what is realistic for your lifestyle. For example, if you aren’t able to cook at home, we need to help you find the best ways to eat out or at your office. It is about being realistic, setting reasonable goals to help to you achieve your nutritional goals. Good nutrition is not a diet that you are doomed to go off of, it is a delicious lifestyle that can be enjoyed guilt free.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is the use of a plant’s various parts, such as berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Long practiced outside of conventional medicine, herbalism is becoming integrated as more research points to the value in prevention and treatment of many health concerns.
Plants have been recognized for their healing properties long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings detail uses of medicinal plants. Native American and African cultures used herbs in healing rituals. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are sophisticated styles of medicine that include herbal medicine as a main part of the therapy.
As improvements in chemical analysis developed in the 19th century, scientists began analyzing the properties in plants. Eventually, they started making a synthetic version of various plant compounds, and we saw the birth of synthetic pharmaceuticals.
NAET
NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) is a non-invasive way to desensitize patients from allergies and sensitivities, both food and environmental. This technique was developed by Devi S. Nambudripad, M.D., D.C., L.Ac., Ph.D. Over 9000 licensed medical practitioners have been trained in this innovative technique around the world. At the Santa Monica Wellness Center, Patricia Fitzgerald and Lauren Howard have over 17 years of combined experience with NAET. You can learn more about this innovative technique at NAET.com.