TMJ pain can make everyday activities such as chewing, speaking, and opening your mouth uncomfortable. When patients come to my clinic with jaw or facial pain, I look beyond the painful area and consider how the body’s interconnected systems may be contributing to the problem.

My primary approach is Distal Needling Acupuncture®, or DNA Acupuncture®. Unlike local acupuncture, DNA® places needles at a distance from the area where the pain occurs. I have found that directly needling a painful area can sometimes aggravate the problem. Instead, we use the body’s interconnected pathways to influence the painful region from a distance.

Acupuncture works by increasing the signal strength of the proprioceptive neural pathway. This pathway communicates with the midbrain, which can release the body’s natural painkillers, called enkephalins. When the correct areas are treated, pain relief can sometimes happen very quickly.

Chinese medicine also recognizes that facial and jaw pain can be associated with the Yang Ming region. Acupressure uses similar concepts to distal acupuncture. For example, applying pressure between the thumb and forefinger at an area called Ling Ku can help relieve pain in the teeth, jaw, or head.

Every patient is different, so I do not use one treatment for everyone. The location and character of the pain help determine which areas should be treated. My goal is to reduce pain while working with the body’s neurological and vascular systems.

If TMJ pain is interfering with your daily activities, eating, or quality of life, an individualized acupuncture approach may be worth considering. DNA Acupuncture® offers a different way to address jaw pain without placing needles directly into the painful area.

Call our office today to schedule your consultation at (360) 394-4357.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years as a medical system focused on improving circulation, nervous system function, and overall physiological health. Rather than covering up symptoms, acupuncture aims to address the underlying causes of pain, inflammation, and dysfunction in the body.

Treatment involves the use of very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body. These points create real, measurable responses, including increased blood flow, relaxation of tight muscles, and activation of the nervous system. This process helps the body release its own pain-relieving chemicals and supports normal movement and function.

People commonly seek acupuncture for pain, headaches, stress, nerve-related symptoms, and ongoing conditions that have not fully resolved with other approaches. Treatments are generally gentle and calming, and care is always tailored to the individual.

High cholesterol is often discussed as though cholesterol itself tells the entire story of cardiovascular health. Chinese medicine offers another perspective by looking at circulation, inflammation, and the overall condition of the heart.

At our clinic, Medical Pulse Diagnosis® helps identify patterns involving the cardiovascular system. The left Cun pulse is associated with the heart and can provide information about whether the heart is weak, inflamed, or experiencing restricted blood flow. In Chinese medicine, restricted blood supply is described as blood stasis.

One theory discussed in our practice is that irritation and damage to the endothelial lining of the coronary arteries may contribute to cardiovascular disease. Factors such as high glucose, high insulin, smoking-related particulates, and stress may irritate these tissues. Cholesterol may then be sent to these areas as part of the body's healing process. This perspective highlights the importance of supporting healthy circulation and making thoughtful dietary choices.

Chinese medicine approaches these patterns individually. When blood flow is restricted, Chinese herbal medicine may be used to address blood stasis and improve circulation. When inflammation or excess heat is present, herbs may be selected to clear that condition. If the heart is weak, treatment may instead focus on strengthening the heart and improving its function.

This individualized approach is important because Chinese herbal medicine is not one-size-fits-all. A patient's pulse, body type, and overall condition help determine the appropriate treatment strategy. Health, from this perspective, means having highly oxygenated, highly nutritious blood circulating throughout the body.

Chinese medicine can be used alongside conventional medical care. Patients taking prescription medications should continue working with their physician regarding those medications while exploring complementary care.

Call our office today to schedule your consultation at (360) 394-4357.

High blood pressure is a common condition, but in Chinese medicine, it is not viewed as a single disease. Instead, it reflects underlying imbalances that can be precisely identified through Medical Pulse Diagnosis®. By feeling the radial pulses at specific positions on both wrists, we can determine whether high blood pressure is caused by excess heat, inflammation, or restricted blood flow. For example, a strong, pounding pulse often indicates excess heat or inflammation in the body, while other pulse qualities may reveal vascular tension or blockage. Once the root cause is identified, treatment is highly individualized. We use targeted Chinese herbal formulas to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support cardiovascular function. This approach does not just manage numbers, but works to correct the underlying physiology driving the condition. Over time, patients often experience improved blood pressure along with better overall health. Call our office today to schedule your consultation.

Sciatica can be frustrating and painful, especially when discomfort travels from the lower back through the hip and down the leg. When treating pain, we want to understand what may be contributing to the problem rather than simply focusing on where the pain is felt.

At our clinic, we use Distal Needling Acupuncture® (DNA®), a method that places acupuncture needles away from the painful area. Instead of needling directly into the site of discomfort, DNA® uses specific areas of the hands, arms, feet, and legs to influence the body’s pain pathways.

According to this approach, acupuncture increases the signal strength of the proprioceptive neural pathway. This pathway communicates information about movement and position to the brain. When its signal is strengthened, the midbrain can release the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, called enkephalins. Pain relief can occur very quickly.

Sciatic pain may also involve restricted blood flow to muscles and nerves. In Chinese medicine, restricted blood supply is considered an important contributor to pain and health problems. Acupuncture can increase blood flow to a targeted area, helping support the body’s healing process.

Chinese herbal medicine may also be considered based on the individual patient. Rather than using one formula for everyone, we use Medical Pulse Diagnosis® to determine what is happening throughout the body and develop an individualized approach. Chinese herbal medicine is designed according to the patient’s specific pattern.

If sciatica is interfering with your ability to move, sleep, or enjoy everyday activities, Distal Needling Acupuncture® may provide another approach to consider. By addressing pain through the body’s interconnected neurological and circulatory systems, our goal is to help patients experience meaningful relief.

Call our office today to schedule your consultation at (360) 394-4357.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years as a medical system focused on improving circulation, nervous system function, and overall physiological health. Rather than covering up symptoms, acupuncture aims to address the underlying causes of pain, inflammation, and dysfunction in the body.

Treatment involves the use of very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body. These points create real, measurable responses, including increased blood flow, relaxation of tight muscles, and activation of the nervous system. This process helps the body release its own pain-relieving chemicals and supports normal movement and function.

People commonly seek acupuncture for pain, headaches, stress, nerve-related symptoms, and ongoing conditions that have not fully resolved with other approaches. Treatments are generally gentle and calming, and care is always tailored to the individual.