About: Karen

I am a California state licensed Acupuncturist, holding a Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University, Los Angeles.

Ever since I can remember, I have had a passion for natural medicine. I believe everything is connected, I believe every system in our body is connected. This is what the science of Chinese Medicine believes as well, and the intricacy and inherent poetry of its diagnostic system never ceases to amaze me!

I have a profound interest in nutrition, in using food as medicine. I believe as a society we have been disconnected from what food is and what it is to nourish ourselves. Every time we get hungry and eat, it is an opportunity for us to rebalance and care for ourselves, to promote self healing and show respect for this vehicle that is providing our spirit the opportunity to experience this beautiful world and meaningful human interactions.

Other profound interests of mine are the practice of yoga and Tai Chi. I believe we have limitless energetic potential within our bodies, and I commit much time to these ancient sciences of unlocking and flowing this energy. I study Yang style Tai Chi and Yoga Naga under the guidance of Master Zi at In Focus Wellness Institute, Santa Monica.

My service to you as a natural healthcare provider is to assist your body and spirit in transforming misguided energetic experiences (pain, insomnia, addiction recovery, emotional distress, illness, fatigue) into positive energetic experiences of health, peace, and happiness. I cannot do this singularly for you, and rarely can one do this singularly for themselves. It is a joint effort, this transformation and realignment of energy. Come and start your journey!

About: Acupuncture

Technically, acupuncture is the act of inserting hair thin needles into certain energy "hubs" at different locations of the body, in order to direct the energy (qi- pronounced "chee") of the body to follow its proper course.

Every person will receive a unique and individualized treatment, as we are each unique beings with individual experiences. It is important to know, however, that our qi is all one, from the same source, and ultimately united.

My intention in utilizing the ancient scientific art of acupuncture is to assist you in living the best life possible. You are here now, you are alive now, and it is in your power to experience this life with as much strength, clarity, love and propriety as possible. I am here to assist you whole-heartedly along the path.

To me, my goal in assisting you is not to "cure" you or "heal" you, but rather to help you transform a seemingly negative energetic experience into a positive one. If out of this process a "curing" or "healing" is achieved, how wonderful! What you may find though, is that every moment of the way is in itself a healing, an opportunity to achieve a more refined state of balance and harmony.

Along with acupuncture, there are several other lesser known techniques that may be employed to further your recovery:

• Cupping- This is a treatment used to alleviate pain and stagnation, to help with headaches, high blood pressure, depression, body tension, and injury. Cupping uses small glass bowls, like small round fish bowls, in which a flame is inserted for a second to create a vacuum inside the cup, removed, and the cup is inverted to place the opening against the skin. A kind of sucking action is created when the cup is tight against the skin. I call this a "reverse massage" where instead of the skin and muscles being pushed on, they are more being lifted. This technique may leave a bruising or redness on the skin which disappears in a few days and is not painful. It is a relaxing procedure.
• Moxabustion- This is a warming treatment where a particular herb is smoldered and held near the skin to help relieve pain and promote healing. It is helpful for low back pain, menstrual cramps, certain types of joint pain, and certain injuries.
• Tuina- this is the Chinese term for a style of massage to promote healing and alleviate tension, indigestion, hypertension and other ailments.

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. —Buddhist teaching

About: Herbs

Acupuncture and herbal medicine go hand in hand. The use of herbs dates back thousands and thousands of years and spans through all cultures. It is extremely safe and effective. Some common food items many people are familiar with are used in herbal formulas, such as cinnamon, cardamom, licorice, and yam. Some lovely flowers may also be prescribed in formulas; rose, chrysanthemum and gardenia, to name a few. When I prescribe herbs, it is rare to assign only one herb for the patient. Usually there are several herbs who work together in harmony to create a safe and synergistic healing effect for your body and mind. For maximum results, herbs are assigned as a team, as partners, in their whole form.

Chinese herbal medicine is a science of which I have spent many years studying. I like to call Herbal Medicine "acupuncture to go", as the use of herbal formulas prolongs and enhances the effect of the treatment, taking healing to the next level. Herbs can also be used as food for further healing, such as adding Gou Qi Zi (Goji berries) and Long Yan Rou (Longan fruit) to chrysanthemum or chamomile tea for a bedtime tonic to nourish blood. Several herbs can be cooked into a chicken soup to replenish qi.

I am also interested in using common food to aid in treatment of my patients, such as walnuts for mental function, and cucumber, pears and fish to nourish dryness. Assisting my patients in learning how to use food as true nourishment is a gift they will carry for the rest of their lives, and I feel this is very important.