I am a licensed acupuncturist, licensed massage therapist and Oriental Medical Practitioner bringing 19 years of clinical practice to my patients. I am a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design (BFA), and hold two masters of science one being in Natural Health, and the other in Acupuncture. I am a graduate of the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture (MSAc). I am nationally board certified through the National Certification & Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In 2006 I completed my formal externship of Oriental Medicine at the Cheng-du Medical Training hospital in Cheng-du, China.
As a Oriental Medical Practitioner I am trained in Asian Body Therapy to include Anma, Shiatsu and Tuina, 5 Elements nutrition, TCM herbal Medicinal therapy and Acupuncture.
I was born in Florida raised primarily in Ohio, received my Asian body therapy and 5 Elements Yoga training in Okinawa, Japan, while working as the Army’s Chief of the Visual Information Center at the 10th Area Support Group on Tori Station. While there I received the holistic treatments of a lifetime, indeed changing my life profoundly forever! Acupuncture, asian body therapy and practicing the art of hatha yoga with Zazen meditation all became my hobbies, and at the end of my 7 years in Japan I decided that I too would become an energy master some day!
My training is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based, and I provide TCM-style herbal prescriptions while incorporating TCM, Japanese and meridian based styles into my acupuncture treatments. I practice energy healing in the forms of Reiki, Shiatsu, Tuina, and vibrational therapy through meridian aligning tuning forks. Even though I hold a MS in Natural Health I address food according to TCM and the 5 Elements rather than through the western paradigm, helping patients understand food as medicine. My approach to therapy is very unique in that I am hands on during the entire session combining a variety of modalities which I call my, “Acu-Shima” specialty treatments.
My patients and I work together to incorporate acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine into their self-care plan treating chronic illnesses, healing from health crises, reducing stress and optimizing their quality of life. The wisdom of this paradigm often helps patients find their center and maneuver through seasonal and life’s challenges with greater ease and joy.
I treat patients with a number of health concerns, including addictions, arthritis, anxiety, depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, IBS, PSTD, Colitis, infertility, PMS, menopause, pain management, cosmetic facial rejuvenation and everyone’s ultimate concern Anti-aging.
Asian Body therapy such as Anma, Shiatsu and Tuina are the oldest massage practices known to Man. These therapeutic modalities go back thousands of years. Our fragile bodies need plenty of rest in order to heal and realign itself. Asian holistic therapy is one of the best forms of treatment because as your body relaxes it releases dopamine, which is a special hormone your body produces causing your body to relax naturally. Asian body therapy can also assist with lowering the stress hormone called cortisol. Anma, Shiatsu, and Tuina press and knead the muscles and other soft tissues of your body. The pressure varies depending on each patient’s comfort level. The intent is to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the desired areas, warm them, and decrease pain. I use a combination of several techniques to improve my patient’s condition including, a series of rehabilitative stretches and strengthening exercises based on hatha Yoga and Hara breathing as well as muscular release techniques, which are incorporated into each session. I primarily focus on both the energetic and muscular components of the injury whether it be physical or emotional. Session times vary and may last from 60 – 90 minutes.
I maintain a pharmacy of Chinese medicinals, providing customized herbal formulas to my patients as necessary. I also offer “5 Element Nutrition and Herb only” consultations, for patients referred to me out of state, needle phobic or simply not wanting to take western pharmaceutical drugs. As a 5 Elements nutritional practitioner I assist my patients in seeing achievable health goals, teaching them various ways of keeping these objectives throughout their lifetime, without adding undue stress to their current lifestyle.
5 Elements nutrition is an essential portion of a healthy life-style. Without having appropriate nutrition, a person will not have sufficient energy to make it through the day, let alone fend off the evils of bacterias and viruses. Wellness declines with age and without proper nutrition will make you more susceptible to illness and pathogenic diseases. 5 Elements nutritional counseling is also provided for a variety of eating disorders.
The 5 Elements nutritional assessment is advantageous to almost anyone interested in advancing their over-all health and weight loss goals. In the course of this assessment, I provide my patients data based on their existing status, helping them to enhance their overall well being.
