Acupuncture
& Asian Medicine

Susan Moore, L.Ac.

(206) 789-8843
susanmoorelac@gmail.com

 

Toyohari Japanese Acupuncture
Toyohari is a form of gentle acupuncture originating in Japan. Acupuncture came from China to Japan in the sixth century and since the 17th century has been highly developed by blind acupuncturists. Today, as many as 40% of acupuncturists in Japan are blind and emphasize touch and feeling in diagnosing. A Toyohari treatment consists of palpation (touch) of the abdomen and channel pathways, taking the pulse, then non-needle stimulation of acupuncture points. If needed, very shallow needling might be done but can be avoided for those who are sensitive. This type of acupuncture is very effective and is used on adults and children and can be specifically requested.

Treating Children
Acupuncture is helpful for children of all ages. Painless, non-needle insertion techniques are used. The treatment lasts only a few minutes. After a treatment, you will most likely notice improvement in symptoms as well as other areas of well-being such as increased energy and increased happiness. Acupuncture treats many childhood conditions including: allergies, asthma, colic, constipation, diarrhea, teething, poor appetite, sleep problems, night terrors, eczema, ear infections, frequent colds, ADD & ADHD.

Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum & Female Cycle
Traditional Chinese medicine is a nurturing, effective treatment for many aspects of pregnancy, birth and the female cycle. As preventive care, acupuncture gently supports and balances the body's vital energy (Qi) nurturing mother and baby during pregnancy and helps with recovery after birth. If problems arise during pregnancy, acupuncture is helpful in the treatment of morning sickness, depression, anxiety, allergies, constipation, other digestive problems, back pain, hypertension/pre-eclampsia, tendonitis, edema, sleep problems, threatened miscarriage and breach presentation.

The postpartum period is viewed by Chinese medicine as a time of relative deficiency and great emphasis is placed on caring for mother and building strength (which in turn helps baby). In doing so, the mother may prevent possible problems in the future such as fatigue, uterine prolapse, painful menstruation and other chronic problems. Acupuncture is also very helpful with lactation difficulties and postpartum recovery.

Many conditions of the female cycle are alleviated or regulated by acupuncture such as infertility, PMS, painful periods, heavy to no flow periods, low back pain, breast distention, anxiety, depression and moodiness.

What is Asian Medicine?
Traditional Asian medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical tradition of over 3,000 years. It includes acupuncture and herbal treatment as well as massage (tuina), dietary therapy, meditation, and exercise.

How does it work?
Asian medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced “chee”).

Ancient physicians, in developing and understanding the prevention and cure of disease, discovered a system of specific energetic pathways in the human body. Acupuncture points are located along these pathways. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charges at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Disease is considered to arise because of deficiency or imbalance of vital energy resulting from such factors as: trauma, stress, diet, pathogenic factors and genetic tendencies. Acupuncture disrupts the patterns of deficiency or imbalance and enhances the body’s own natural ability to heal.

Is Acupuncture safe?
In the hands of a licensed acupuncturist, your safety is assured. The needles are sterilized and disposable.

What can I expect in a treatment?
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and herbs; however, some conditions which have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient’s attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Traditional Asian medicine is also an educational process in which the patient becomes more aware of his or her own body, thus increasing its ability to maintain well-being.

Although there are techniques in traditional Asian medicine for healing most conditions, there are medical circumstances which can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend that you contact a physician.

Is Acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from an injection is the larger diameter, hollow needle, and the medication being forced into the tissues by pressure. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed with a minimum of discomfort. Most patients find the treatments relaxing and many fall asleep during the treatments. In some cases it is not necessary to use needles at all. Non- needle insertion treatments are an option and are especially helpful in treating children.

What can acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine’s ability to treat over 43 commonly encountered clinical disorders. Among these are:

• Bone, joint and muscular disorders
• Nervous system disorders
• Gynecological disorders
• Emotional disorders (depression, anxiety)
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Respiratory disorders (asthma)
• Circulatory disorders
• Urogenital disorders
• Chronic, painful, debilitating disorders
• Infertility (female & male)
• Pregnancy disorders (nausea, high blood pressure, labor preparation)

Susan Moore, L.Ac.
Susan Moore received her master's degree in acupuncture from the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, is certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture, and is a licensed practitioner in Washington state. She is also a member of the American Acupuncture Alliance, Acupuncture Association of Washington and North American Toyohari Association.

Susan has specialized training in women's and children's health including gynecological disorders, maternity and postpartum care, chronic conditions, and emotional disorders.

Susan believes in empowering others to take a preventive stance in their own health and concentrates on treating the underlying cause of a condition, not just the symptoms—which is the primary focus of traditional Asian medicine.