acupuncturebypam.com

Welcome to the Promise of Five-Element Acupuncture!

Welcome to Natural Healing

Acupuncture is an ancient nature-based system of healing that awakens and supports your body's own inherent ability to heal. Practiced as a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, acupuncture has been used as a highly effective form of healing that touches all levels of a person - body, mind and spirit.

True healing involves a unique individual, not just a collection of symptoms to be fixed. Acupuncture addresses the root imbalance which is finding a unique expression in a person's symptoms. Since it addresses imbalance at its root, acupuncture can lead to true healing, rather than just temporary relief of current symptoms.

With acupuncture, you will learn to pay attention to your body's signals. In paying attention to this, you will become increasingly aware of the power you have in creating wellness and movement in your life. Enormous potential for healing exists within you, and I am confident that together we can reawaken this potential.

You are a wonderful being, with a unique purpose, on a unique journey through life. By recognizing and building upon the innate wisdom of your body, acupuncture can support your unique journey. I will listen deeply to you, to learn how we can call this unique promise of who you are into being even fuller.

I invite you now to explore acupuncture as an option for bringing increased ease and intentionality to your life. I love what I do, and I am hopeful that you, too, will become interested in the gifts that acupuncture has to offer you.

How does acupuncture work?

Fundamental to acupuncture is the concept of Qi (pronounced 'Chee"). In western terms, we might think of this as "vital energy" or "life force". Acupuncture works with movement of this "Qi".

Qi moves in all of nature and within us. In nature, the movement of spring stirs seedlings to burst up out of the earth. The Qi of summer moves plant buds to unfold into full and brilliant blooms. The movement of late summer brings the fullness of ripe fruit and abundant harvest. In autumn, Qi moves the tree to release its golden leaves and seeds, poignantly beautiful in their fall down through the clear air. And in the movement of winter, seeds lie dormant in the cold ground, waiting until called up for a new cycle of seasons.

We are very familiar with the movements of Qi, as they manifest in the seasons.

Qi also moves these same five distinct ways within us. As these five distinct movements of Qi travel through the body, they flow through pathways, or meridians. These meridians have been 'mapped out' for thousands of years, as have hundreds of specific points that lie along them.

Qi 'pools' at these specific points along the pathway; and here, your Qi can be touched and accessed. Each of these points has a very specific nature, and each point has its own 'gifts' to offer in the re-establishment of balance. These 'gifts' of healing come from within you. As part of you, they are wonderfully and uniquely tailored to bring you exactly what you need, healing you in your own, unique 'flavor' of being.

In acupuncture we use very thin, small needles to touch these points. This provides a gentle yet powerful reminder to open and balance the movements of Qi within the body. The flow of Qi can be thought of like water in a garden hose. If the hose is kinked, the water flow is obstructed. Qi can also become obstructed. When Qi is balanced and flowing unblocked, we have health and ease; when it is blocked of imbalanced, we experience "dis-ease". In removing obstruction and providing balance at a deep level, acupuncture supports health, a sense of well-being, healing and immunity.

Yet life continues to move within and around us. Acupuncture helps return us to the ability to again move flexibly with life, and to the joy and satisfaction in being able to do this. The points bring change subtly and yet with great depth and power, in a way that the body completely understands. Meridians are opened; Qi is balanced; life becomes smoother.

As we listen to the body and restore the flow and balance of Qi, the need for particular 'speaking outs' of the body may now be gone, and many apparently diverse symptoms may consequently disappear or halt their progression. Even chronic and long-term conditions typically shift and improve; and a sense of well-being begins to grow.

Acupuncture cultivates the bringing of both attention and intention to the 'speaking' of the body. And, with continuing acupuncture, the body's senses also become awakened and heightened. With this new clarity, people typically begin to notice many lifestyle issues- even minor ones - that may be contributing to pain, or dis-ease in life. So in doing this, acupuncture also acts as a guide, allowing insight into things which no longer serve, and, and in letting go of those things, allowing room for new, more appropriate things for this stage in life's journey.

Wisdom of the body

We all have areas in life that could be 'smoother'. Lack of ease may show on may levels - body, mind, or spirit. And it may show up in various symptoms- anxiety, back pain, headaches, allergies, arthritis, difficulties with sleep, or in any other multitude of symptoms. We experience our symptoms as inconvenient, uncomfortable, and often as suffering. We think of our symptoms as 'bad', and we want them gone.

Forgetting that our bodies are wise, we may not be as accustomed to thinking or our bodies symptoms in a more 'complete' way. Though unpleasant, our symptoms are our bodies crying out that something is not right; they are our bodies' well-working 'alarms', calling us to listen. Like the oil light that goes on int he car, they tell us something needs attention. And turning off the annoying light is probably not the best response.

The same holds true for our bodies. If we fail to acknowledge our symptoms as 'alarms' and simply silence them without correcting the imbalance, our very wise bodies will ulitmately present another symptom, a louder 'alarm' that cannot be so easily be silenced. Though medicines can be life saving, they are often used as just a way to 'put out the light'. Putting out the light is not the same as healing. By merely silencing our 'alarm lights', without addressing the deep roots of imbalance, "dis-ease" becomes more deeply rooted and the body continues to speak out in new and louder symptoms.

Acupuncture touches the root of imbalance, and as the imbalance is corrected, the need for symptom often disappears, as may the symptom. I invite you to consider the possibility that your body is very wise, and by listening, we can learn what needs to shift in order for you to live with more ease and health. Acupuncture powerfully assists this process, increasing sensitivity and awareness.

Can Acupuncture help.....?

Acupuncture restores balance to the entire human being, on all levels - body, mind and spirit. It can be very helpful for physical issues as well as for emotional 'upset', anxiety, and the feeling that 'things are just not 'right'. You do not have to be 'sick' to receive the supportive benefits of acupuncture. Acupuncture can support those going through challenging situations, or engaging in new directions in life. It can support those struggling through the deep loss of a loved one. It can even support those in the process of dying.

Since acupuncture addresses imbalance at such a deep, constitutional level, it can be helpful in many situations and 'conditions'.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institure of Health (NIH) recognize acupuncture to be effective in many specific conditions. WHO recognizes the ability of acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine to treat over 43 common disorders including:

Gastrointestinal Disorders including: food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia, gastritis.
Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as: arthritis, neuralgia, insomnia, migraine headaches, dizziness, low back pain, neck and shoulder pain.
Addictions, such as: tobacco, alcohol, drugs.
Respiratory disorders, such as: emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, allergies.
Circulatory disorders; hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, anemia.
Gynecological disorders, such as: Irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Uro-genital disorders, such as: urinary tract infection, incontinence.
Emotional and Psychological Disorders, including: anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction.
Eye, ear, nose and throat disorders.

The benefits of acupuncture are not limited to the conditions listed above. Acupuncture is often an effective therapy for other disorders which have no clear explanation or origin. It can be of particular value in long-standing, chronic and painfully debilitating issues, many of which may be at an impasse with conventional treatment.

As a complementary medicine, acupuncture can work well with other disciplines of healing. It cat be mutually supportive with other treatment you may already be receiving; for example, chiropractic or osteopathic care, herbalist care, therapeutic massage physical therapy, massage, counseling, or therapies of conventional western medicine.

The Treatment Process

What will Treatment be like?

The first treatment will be a traditional diagnosis, to TD. It will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I will ask lots of questions and get to know you, and you will be able to share what is going on and ask questions. During the TD, I will take pulses, examine your eyes and tongue, palpate areas for sensitivity, test for blocks, and do a physical exam. For the exam, I will provide a robe and draping. I will be highly conscious of your level of comfort in all aspects of treatment, including privacy.

Typically, the TD does not involve needling; subsequent treatments typically do. The needles I use are approved by appropriate agencies. They are high-quality, sterile, single-use needles, and are disposed of after use. The needles are extremely thin, barely wider than a hair. Though the sensation may be fleeting, it is usually not painful; patients typically feel deep relaxation.

TO PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT

I ask patients to eat something light before coming; and, to allow a more accurate diagnosis, to please avoid heavy cosmetics, perfume and scented lotions. To get the most from treatment, I ask patients to rest after treatment, and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Many patients prefer to wear loose clothing for easier access to acupuncture points.

SCHEDULING OF TREAMENT: HOW OFTEN WILL I COME?

Though acupuncture can sometimes be dramatic, it typically works very subtly. Acupuncture supports movement at a very deep level, and works with deeply rooted patterns of behavior and habituated response. These patterns have often been in place for decades before the emergence of symptoms. A lifetime of a habituated response is typically not erased in one or two treatments. I suggest that if you are going to try acupuncture, plan to commit to at least 6-8 consecutive weekly visits, in order to see and feel results. Treatments will eventually 'hold' longer and longer, and as they do, appointments will space out more.

STAGES OF TREATMENT

After the TD, the first stages of treatment will focus on removing blocks and supporting balance. Treatments build upon previous treatments, and to get the most movement forward through this stage, plan to come at least once a week. The length of this stage will vary considerably from person to person.

As balance begins to be restored , patients report that their treatments 'hold' longer and longer, and gradually the time between treatments will increase to 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and then a month. At this stage, treatment becomes more maintenance-oriented, and in this stage of treatment, many patients prefer to continue coming once a month, or even seasonally. For support during particularly challenging situations, patients may choose to return temporarily to more frequent treatment. By this time, patients usually become very clear about when they need and want treatment.

contact information

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact me. Feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns you may have. And, for more in-depth information, we are currently offering a complementary, no obligation, 20 minute consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!

Pam Bradford 443-880-0030 acupuncturebypam@gmail.com

Acupuncture by Pam

124 E. Market Street

Salisbury MD

My office is located in Downtown Salisbury, on East Market Street, at the intersection of Baptist St. and East Market St.

Parking: Metered parking is available directly in front of the office. The meters require quarters, and have a 2-hour limit. The rate is 20 minutes for each quarter deposited. When feeding the meter, please take into consideration that treatment may run longer than anticipated.

The city parking lot is about 1 block west of the office; the first two hours of parking are free; subsequent hours are $1 / hour.

Parking is also available in the parking garage across the street from the office and 1/2 block away, towards the free city parking lot.

The initial visit sometimes runs slightly longer than 2 hours. Since the meter limit is 2 hours, we recommend parking in the city lot or parking garage for this visit in order to eliminate concerns of an expired meter, and possible city fines related to that.

Other appointments may sometimes run late and / or may take longer than anticipated, so please consider this in allowing ample time on the meter, if this is your choice. If you let us know at the time of your visit, we will be glad to reimburse you each visit for what you put into the meter or paid at the parking garage for the time spent during your appointment that day.

*We will not, however, reimburse for past parking costs, nor will we reimburse you for tickets, fines or related costs incurred by parking in violation of metered limit or other city ordinances.

give the gift of acupuncture

Gift package

Support Change package - Support a friend or family member in their efforts to stop smoking, or in their efforts to stop other addictive behaviors. This treatment utilizing the NADA ear protocol, is also excellent support for stress reduction. A one-week treatment includes 5 daily ear seedlings and the placement of an ear bead ........$90.

New Mother package

For a delightful and unique shower gift, consider gifting the ancient practice of "Mother Roasting". Mother Roasting is the practice of warming a new mother to support her recovery and healing from childbirth and to restore her energy. Mother Roasting nourishes the new mother, rebuilding resources and energy within her, and supporting balance and peace in what can be a challenging as well as wonderful time. New mothers typically experience this treatment as nourishing , strengthening, warming and delightfully relaxing. This experience is a creative, and healing shower gift; a wonderful tending of the new mother, and it comes with a beautiful card describing the ages-old practice. (See below for more information about Mother Roasting:

(1) 20 minute session ...................$65.

(4) 20 minute sessions .................$155.

Mother Roasting

Mother Roasting is an ancient and ongoing practice in much of the world. In most of the world, women have traditionally been supported by nurturing care and the application of warmth following the birth of a child. In our culture, this care and nurturing of the new mother is typically minimal or nonexistent. However, the postpartum period is very important to a new mother's Qi, blood and vital essence. While birthing, a woman uses vital resources and is often left feeling exhausted, under-nourished, lacking in energy, and weepy. Without the proper warmth and nourishment after delivery, mothers may also experience issues such as emotional upset, back pain, hair loss, low libido and weight gain.

The ancient practice of Mother Roasting helps ease the transition from life before birth to the life with baby. A calmer, more nourished mother also provides secondary benefits for her child, in bonding, milk production, and in a more 'settled' way of being.

Payment / insurance / fees

Payment

We accept payment at the time of treatment, by cash, personal check or credit card.

Please call our office to schedule your appointment or to receive your gift certificate.

Insurance

I do not at the present time submit claims to insurance companies. You may if your insurance company covers acupuncture, submit your bill for reimbursement. Please let me know at the time of payment and we will provide you with bills / receipts appropriately coded for you to submit. (I provide the appropriately coded receipt to you; I do not directly submit receipts to your insurance company.). You will need to check with your insurance company to determine their coverage of acupuncture.

When you contact your insurance carrier, you may want to ask certain coverage related questions, to include:

* Does my coverage require that I be referred to the acupuncturist by a doctor?

* What is my deductible and have I met it?

* What is the extent / limit of coverage?

* If acupuncture is covered, is coverage allowed for all issues, or just some?

* If acupuncture is covered, will it cover my specific issues?

FEES

We currently offer a complementary 20 minute consultation to help you decide if acupuncture is right for you. (Normally a $25. charge for consultation.)

TD - Traditional Diagnosis, first visit, 1 1/2 to 2 hours $155.

Subsequent treatments, usually 1 hour $ 80.

Weekly charge for daily ear needling treatments and ear bead. $ 80.

Gift Cards, New Mother packages, Support Change packages and other gift packages are also available.