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Telemedicine Virtual Consults now available!

San Diego Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture is committed to reaching our community outside the clinic in the comfort of your home. We are looking forward to continuing to offer our services on this new platform to provide you with an opportunity of accessible healthcare.

Using our online resources, you are able to continue your HealthCare virtually. Participating providers will offer instructions on how to get online and start your virtual sessions today.

Acupuncture originated in China around 3,500 years ago and remains one of the oldest, most commonly used systems of healing in the world. Chinese medicine is still the primary medical system for one quarter of the world’s population.

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers Qi to be our vital energy or life force. Qi flows along pathways or “meridians” which run the length of our limbs and to each of our organs. They form a network that looks a lot like the electrical grid of a City, the various pathways overlap and are all critical to the network as a whole. TCM believes that there is a deep inter-connectedness between all aspects of our being—both internally and externally. Health is a state where there is balanced and harmonious flow of Qi throughout our bodies. Conversely, imbalances can lead to many ailments.

There are many forms of Massage Therapy offered here at SDHMA. To name just a few: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Chi Nei Tsang (Ancient Chinese Medical Abdominal Massage), Sports Massage, Thai Massage, Pregnancy Massage and more. Please scroll down to learn more details about the types of massage services we offer.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage therapy is the modality that comes to mind when most people think about massage. As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension

Chi Nei Tsang

A traditional Taoist form of healing touch (massage) therapy, which is applied to the abdomen; chi nei tsang is used to stimulate and manipulate muscles and connective tissue, organs (stomach, intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, uterus, kidneys and lungs) and systems (lymphatic, circulatory and nervous) located in the abdomen. Internal organ massage is believed to release regional stress and tension, prevent stagnation of blood, improve the flow of energy into the abdominal region, allow detoxification and enhance the immune system.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

Sports Massage

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the sports massage technique are specific to the athlete's sport of choice. Focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.

Thai Massage

Thai massage, also known as Nuad Bo-Rarn in its traditional form, is a type of Oriental bodywork therapy that is based on the treatment of the human body, mind, and spirit. The therapy includes treating the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings the body to life through pressure and/or manipulative massage.

CranioSacral

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics. Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams - about the weight of a nickel - practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it's effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu Massage is an alternative technique that involves manual pressure applied to specific points on the body in an attempt to relieve tension and pain. According to the Japanese healing treatment, Shiatsu (meaning finger pressure) massage uses thumbs, fingers, elbows, and knees to concentrate pressure at certain energy pathways in the body called meridians. The massage also known as acupressure works to reduce muscle tension and fatigue and is thought to improve blood circulation in the body as well as improve function of the lymphatic system.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manipulative treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture, or inflammation. Connective tissues called fascia surround the muscles, bones, nerves, and organs of the body. Points of restriction in the fascia can place a great deal of pressure on nerves and muscles causing chronic pain. Practitioners of myofascial release employ long stretching strokes meant to balance tissue and muscle mechanics and improve joint range of motion in order to relieve pain.

Tuina Massage

Tui Na (also called Tui-Na or Tuina massage) is a form of bodywork based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Working along meridians (energy channels) throughout the body, the Tui Na practitioner taps into these energy points, using stretches, pressure points, and joint rotations, to balance the body’s vital energy (qi). The name of this massage therapy modality comes from the two words describing actions in the treatment: tui means “to push” and na means “to grab or squeeze.” Tui Na has been called a combination of Shiatsu—a Japanese bodywork practice—and acupressure massage.