Verhoog Wellness

I can address any issue that you would go to a western trained doctor for -- or anything you might go to your grandmother for. Aside from surgery and setting bones, I address all medical issues from pre/post surgical support, menstrual irregularities, aches and pains due to trauma or just long term use of your body, sleep difficulties, MS, breathing difficulties due to posture, COPD, asthma, allergies, pregnancy issues/support, IBS, Chrohn’s, Migranes... the list is endless. Across the board the primary thing that I work most with is stress. Stress makes everything worse and as each of us responds differently to it so we need to address it on an individual basis.

For example, many people have trouble with waking up around 2-4 in the morning, with a racing mind, maybe warm/hot, restless legs: they would most likely be treated for a condition called Liver Qi Stagnation. This may be resolved in one session or take a longer approach.

If work and life overwhelm makes you feel like you want to sleep all of the time and live on sugar, you may be suffering from Spleen Qi Deficiency. This explains why what works so great for your friend may not meet your pattern and work for you. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we identify these patterns and treat them through carefully selected acupuncture points (either with needles, pressure points, tuning forks, etc.) and maybe herbs, nutraceuticals, diet, bodyworks, exercises, etc.

Acupuncture is an ancient medical system that, true to it’s nature, evolves and adapts over time and with different practitioners. Each practitioner brings a lot of their own nature to the relationship that is created with each individual patient. Like all relationships some jive better than others. As individuals each acupuncturist has their own way to apply this medicine. As it has survived and thrived for over 2000 years you can assume acupuncture works. I always recommend trying other practitioners if you do not get the results that you are looking for.

(Please see comments about Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture)

Depending on what we are working on, the number of treatments to achieve desired results will vary. Generally speaking the longer a condition has been around the longer it will take to resolve. If acute trauma (recently injured) areas are treated as soon as possible the results are usually experienced more quickly. The longer an injury sets in the chances of additional injury or compensatory problems increases and more treatments will be needed. If a cold/flu/viral/bacterial/fungal infection is caught early it is easier to stave off or shorten the duration of infestation. Better yet is improving immunity before anything sets in. This type of approach may take a few months during the “off season” to build immunity. The same approach goes for seasonal allergies. For some people treatments become part of a lifetime regiment of self care. It all depends on you.

Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods requires that a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) completes three to four academic years of education at the master’s degree level in an Oriental Medicine Program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). ACAOM is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education as the authority for quality education and training in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. In addition to graduation from an ACAOM accredited program, a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) must demonstrate professional competency by passing NCCAOM certification examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture with Point Location, Chinese Herbology, and Biomedicine.

Pacific college of Oriental Medicine from which I received my Master's degree in Oriental medicine is a four-year graduate program. With 180.5 units and 3337.5 credit hours of theory and clinical practice, graduates are eligible for the California state licensure exam, as well as the national certification examinations, which enables students to become licensed in the remaining states that regulate acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools.

As used in the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Act, 61-14A-3

"Acupuncture" means the surgical use of needles inserted into and removed from the body and the use of other devices, modalities and procedures at specific locations on the body for the prevention, cure or correction of any disease, illness, injury, pain or other condition by controlling and regulating the flow and balance of energy and function to restore and maintain health;

Electronic payment fee $4

Integrated bodywork may include massage, cupping, acupuncture, tuning forks, etc. based on individual needs.

CANCELLATION/NO SHOW POLICY As of February 2024

Verhoog Wellness kindly requests that any cancellations be made one business day (24 hours) prior to your appointment. If prior notice is not given or if you fail to show for your appointment, you will be charged in full.

When most of us think of needles we are thinking of hypodermic needles that are used to inject substances (medications, IV fluids, etc) into the body or to extract (blood draw, biopsy, etc) from the body. In order to do so the needles need to slice through the skin. This hurts.

Acupuncture needles are filiform or solid needles about the width of a hair. Filiform acupuncture needles pass through the skin and other layers of tissue with little or no tearing of tissues. This does not hurt. Sometime there is no sensation when an acupuncture needle is inserted. If there is an area of holding, stagnation, tightness then the sensation with the needles if often described as a “whoosh” that dissipates quickly -- more as a surprise than pain. If the area is tired and deficient there maybe no sensation or a deep, heavy, warm or cold feeling. Bleeding, though sometimes desirable, is rare in most acupuncture sessions. Striking a nerve is also incredibly rare. As everyone receives their treatments differently, the intensity of treatment will be adjusted to meet your comfort level. the “no pain, no gain” theory is left at the door - comfort and relaxation is very important so that the Qi can flow.

They are all acupuncture. The verbiage can be very confusing. They all involve using needles with the intention of relieving pain in the body. Only Licensed Acupuncturists carry a Master’s degree/Doctorate Degree in Acupuncture which includes intensive studies of the meridian systems, anatomy, physiology, theory of application, pharmacology, Clean Needle Technique, nutrition, herbs (in most cases), body work, psychology as it applies to this medicine.

This goes way beyond dry needle/medical acupuncture training (for which certification can be achieved in a two day Continuing Education course). Acupuncturists train so that the needles can be applied not only to relieve the current discomfort (the branch aspect or symptom) but also simultaneously tonify the body and resolving why the discomfort set in in the first place (the “root” treatment or preventative care). As an acupuncturist we look at the entire body, mind and spirit (as well as diet, lifestyle, etc.) Often a physical system will manifest as a result of an underlying issue. Discovering and resolving these underlying issues is part of the art of applying this type of medicine. Acupuncture also work with cold/flu, food poisoning, allergies, dietary issues, emotional support, stress relief, sleep assistance internal medicine, etc. Dry needling doesn’t, and Medical Acupuncture usually doesn’t.

Generally, the NCCAOM Diplomate training and competency verification is in sharp contrast to the acupuncture and Oriental medicine training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered nurses, or even medical doctors who typically receive 100-300 hours of abbreviated training. In addition, other healthcare professionals who study acupuncture are not trained or assessed to practice Chinese herbal medicine. Certified (and licensed) acupuncturists and Oriental medicine practitioners are also trained in standard medical history gathering, safety, and ethics, and recognition of when to refer patients to other healthcare professionals or consult with other medical practitioners.

As used in the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Act, 61-14A-3

"Doctor of oriental medicine" means a person licensed as a physician to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine with the ability to practice independently, serve as a primary care provider and as necessary collaborate with other health care providers.