Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Often these points are located on channels or 'meridians' and are used to relieve pain, stress, dis-ease and to promote generate well-being. Acupuncture can be used to address specific conditions, and it can be used to maintain vibrant well-being.

Thirdpathway Acupuncture offers a variety of needling techniques including 'Traditional' Chinese Acupuncture techniques as well as Korean Four Needle, Master Tung, Tan Balance method, esoteric acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, and auricular acupuncture. In terms of auricular acupuncture, we can offer the NADA detox protocol for addiction and stress as well as the BFA protocol for acute and chronic pain relief.

A well-placed needle frees energetic stagnation in the body, tonifies organs, stimulates appropriate function, releases stress and allows the body to find its own path to well-being. Each needle is like a signpost on your journey. It is a signpost both in space and in time, so the signposts will move as the landscape of your health changes during our journey together.  Each needle is not only used with scientific precision, it is also a work of art. Each needle is placed with the deliberate intention of creating something beautiful. The something beautiful here is your well-being. 

Cupping

Cupping is a very ancient modality that has been used in China for thousands of years. Cupping is, however, not necessarily Chinese in origin. There is evidence that the Egyptians (Ebers Papyrus, dated to 1550 B.C.) also used cupping. Cupping can be done using glass, plastic or silicon cups to create a suction over specific areas of the body. The cupping process has many purposes, including the reduction of pain or inflammation, or the stimulation of blood flow. Cupping revitalizes tissues, disperses stagnant blood and promotes the free circulation of body energy. As a type of deep-tissue massage, cupping can also be used for relaxation and general well-being.   

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves burning the Chinese herb Ai Ye (a.k.a mugwort). As part of an acupuncture treatment, the herb can be used in three ways:

1.  by holding a smouldering moxa stick close to the area we want to treat, 

2.  by using balls of moxa to warm needles during acupuncture,  

3.  by using tiny seeds or cones of moxa that can be placed directly on the skin. 

Moxibustion is particularly useful in providing pain relief in conditions such as bone-on-bone arthritis, digestive issues, gynecological issues, promoting blood flow and stimulating the flow of energy.

 Tuina & Medical Qigong

At Thirdpathway Acupuncture, we can offer you two different, but related modalities: Tuina and Qigong. 

The Chinese characters for Tuina mean "push" and "grab", so you can think of Tuina as Asian Bodywork or therapeutic massage. Tuina allows us to work with your ligaments, tendons, muscles and their associated skeletal structure, to read the landscape of your body in terms of tensions and stresses, traumas and weaknesses. Often, Tuina will also help us to understand where it is best for us to place the needles, and prepare the soil for planting of the needles. 

Qigong is the energy component of what we do in Chinese Medicine. Think of Qigong therapy as a straw through which you draw the energy that you need to sustain, tonify and refresh your body. I can teach you to do this for yourself, but sometimes it is useful to go to the gas station and gas up. When you receive a medical Qigong treatment in a clinical setting, imagine the therapy as a lens that allows your body to focus the energy to the location it is most needed in the moment. 

Qigong is both powerful and incredibly subtle. It can work at levels that are outside of our normal awareness and by doing so can circumvent our rational mind’s desire to know how and why. 

In addition to the clinic-based Qigong therapy, Qigong can be practiced in much the same way as Taiji can be practiced, as a set of very simple, gentle movements. 

The forms of Qigong that I have studied include the Eight Pieces of Silk, Tendon and Sinew Strengthening, Wild Goose, Return to Spring, and Spring Forest Qigong. 

Each of these forms promotes the smooth flow of qi throughout the body, removes energy blockages and enhances overall health and well-being. As a daily practice, Qigong can also be thought of as a very natural way to focus the mind in a moving meditation.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal Medicine is part of a process that helps you to restore balance. When you think about herbal therapy, think in terms of a changing forest. Different plants grow at different times under different conditions and so it is with your body’s need for herbs. When we apply herbs as part of your treatment prescription we do it for the environmental condition of your body as it is at the time of treatment. When we use herbs as part of our treatment protocol, we do so for a week or so and then we will want to review how your inner environment is changing and whether it is time to modify our approach or introduce a different herbal formulation. The bottom line here is that you are a dynamic body that is asking for dynamic and individually attuned herbal support. 

At Thirdpathway Acupuncture, many of the herbal formulations will be in the form of patent formulae that are delivered in tablet or capsule format. I can also build custom formulations that will be delivered as a powder that you will mix and drink as a tea.

 Nutrition

There is a well-known adage that we are what we eat. Consequently, most of us are aware that part of well-being includes being mindful of both diet and exercise. You will have noticed in your intake form that you were asked several questions about your diet. What and when you eat reveals a lot about what your body craves and how your body functions. As part of working with you to find optimal well-being, we will discuss what foods can be used to support your journey. In many ways nutrition is the root from which we derive the herbal modality; indeed many of the herbs we use in our formulations are derived from common elements of a regular diet.  

As a famous Taoist sage once said: "The skillful use of food is far superior to medicine"

Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are the foundation of what we are doing in life. The practice of meditation, whether it involves sitting on a cushion, praying in church, cleaning the floor, working in your career, playing the piano, hiking in nature, or getting an acupuncture treatment is the fuel of our life. Meditation and mindfulness invites each of us, regardless of age to be calm and invite serenity to enter our lives, even if for a brief moment in a busy day.  There are ten character traits that sustain a meditative practice: Determination, Discernment, Goodwill, Authenticity, Integrity, Persistence, Generosity, Restraint, Endurance, and Equanimity. 

Thirdpathway Acupuncture offers training and classes in mindfulness and meditation either as a group practice or as personalized sessions.

Taiji

The words Taijiquan can be translated to mean "Supreme Ultimate Fist", but the translation suggests that there is more at work here than learning a system of self-defense. Taiji can trace a clear origin back to the Chen Village in Henan Province in the seventeenth century. Since its origin, at least five major lineages have developed, of which Yang style is the most commonly practiced form. 

Taiji is a comprehensive system of martial arts, involving  mind, body and spirit conditioning aimed at improving overall health. Taiji can be practiced by anyone, and consists of a series of slow, gentle movements, designed to promote balance, coordination, flexibility and strength.  As a form of exercise, Taiji can be thought of as a type of moving meditation that reduces stress and anxiety, and which generates a deeper sense of inner calm and mindfulness. The health benefits of Taiji have been discussed for many years, but a particularly useful article appears in Medical News Today.

The form of Taiji that I offer is Yang Style, also known as the International Standard Taiji.

Currently, I offer Taiji classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 8:00a.m., in Washington Park, close to the Band Shell. I also offer private tuition. 

Life and Wellness Coaching

One of the things that makes Oriental Medicine so attractive is that I am going to spend time with you. Your appointments will last for sixty minutes and during that time, I will be listening to you. I will be listening to your words and to your body, because I believe that it is only by working with you that I will be able to facilitate a path to your well-being.

At its root, coaching is about releasing your potential and allowing you to play the game of life full-out.  Coaching can therefore be a powerful adjunct to, and integral component of, Chinese Medicine. 

I can schedule coaching appointments through face-to-face meetings and via phone or video conferencing. I have had clients that range from Hawaii to Holland and from Canada to Costa Rica, as well as all over the United States. if you would like to know what some of my coaching clients have to say, you can read their testimonials here.

Closing Thought

Close your eyes for a moment, take a couple of long, slow, deep breaths and imagine what you would feel like when you are able to say: “I have never felt better than I do right now”. Now imagine if you could embrace a journey towards personal well-being that made that statement true each and every day…regardless of where you are right now. 

What would YOU like to achieve?

To schedule YOUR appointment right now, your best option is to use the Acuity scheduler (opens as a new tab). 

Alternatively, you can also contact the clinic directly using the HIPAA compliant e-mail address here,  or you can call the clinic at 662.769.5522. 

I look forward to hearing from you, and becoming a member of your wellness team.

Fee Structure

• Initial Visit (90 minutes): $110

• Acupuncture Treatment (60 minutes): $80

• Tuina and/or Medical Qigong only (60 minutes): $80

• NADA detox protocol only (45 minutes): $45

• Herbal and/or Nutrition Consultation: $60

• Taiji or Qigong class (60 minutes): $60 (ask about group rates)

• Personal Life Coaching (60 minutes): $125

• Gift Certificates are also available: e mail here  for details.

• Student, Senior, Service and Professional discounts available.

Availability & Cancellation Policy

• Treatments are by appointment, although walk-in visits may be accommodated if an appointment is available. 

• If you find that you need to cancel an appointment, it is important that we receive at least 24-hour notice. 

• We reserve the right to charge a $50.00 fee for an appointment canceled with less than 24-hour notice and $80.00 for a "no show" appointment.

• When you book an appointment you are making a commitment to show up to the appointment and to do so on time. Booking an appointment is accepting a responsibility, not taking out an option to show up. When clients miss an appointment or cancel at the last minute it hurts not only the clinic, but also penalizes others who might have wanted the same time slot. Also, if you show up late to an appointment, it can throw off the entire clinic rotation for the rest of the day. I do understand that events beyond our control can and do occasionally occur, but I do ask that you make every effort to show up to the appointments that you schedule. All that I am really asking is that you please be considerate of the clinic and all those who come to the clinic in the pursuit of wellness.