Services
Acupuncture
The body communicates with itself in two main ways, with electrical signals through the nerves or with endocrine or immunological factors circulating in the blood. Acupuncture, by inserting a metallic implement into tissue, works by utilizing both of those pathways. Through astute observation and experimentation, ancient Chinese physicians worked out a reliable map and method to use these miniscule needles to send and receive messages directly to their patients’ physiology. Thinking of the human body as its own ecosystem, acupuncture treatments are approached as if the physician is dredging or stirring or redirecting improperly flowing water.
The practice philosophy at Yi Guan Acupuncture is to send a clear message to the body with comparatively few needles but used with a deliberate focus on skilled manipulation of the needle to fine-tune that message and read the body’s response.
If you would like to see how acupuncture can affect your flow, schedule a consultation.
Herbalism
Why herbalism in the age of pharmaceuticals? Pharmaceuticals are laboratory-created concentrates of singular compounds whereas herbalism consists of preparations of mostly plant-based substances (with some animal and mineral sources) containing the wide array of chemical substances within that source, some more or less biochemically active, more or less concentrated. With that in mind, western pharmaceuticals have tightly dosed smaller portions with specific function whereas herbal remedies have broadly dosed large portions of more general function further back in the biochemical chain than the target effect. While sometimes the singularly focused approach is exactly what is called for (like insulin for diabetics or antibiotics for bacterial infection), sometimes it truly is the broader general effect that the body needs to deal with what ails it. Over the numerous generations stretching from ancient times to the modern era, Chinese herbalists have been honing the perfect blend of herbal substances to approach a full spectrum of ailments with undeniably favorable outcomes, and in some instances in alleviating issues modern therapies have yet to adequately tackle.
If you would like to see how herbalism can work for you, schedule a consultation.
Mindbody exercises
To the ancient Chinese physician, the mind and body were not thought of as separate. This idea has recently been backed up by the new field of psychoneuroimmunology, demonstrating that emotional state affects immune factors in your blood, and that diseases in the organs affect other factors in your blood that in turn can affect your psychological mood.
While in its infancy of use and understanding in the modern west, very effective meditative and qigong routines from ancient China were developed and honed over centuries to heal and strengthen the singular mind-body. Dr. Perez’s longstanding background in practicing and teaching internal martial arts, qigong, and meditation is put to good use designing mind-body practices tailored for each patient’s specific issues.
While an important aspect of any Eastern treatment protocol, mind-body practices are particularly useful for calming the mind, alleviating the symptoms of some diseases, are a perfect adjunct to physical therapy and easily integrated into existing Western exercise regimens.
Group classes in Taijiquan, qigong, and meditation are also offered.
If you’d like to see how these practices can affect your mind and body, schedule a consultation or attend a group class.
Our Specialties
We have certain areas of focus where our therapies can be particularly impactful.