Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back 4000 years. TCM believes in maintaining harmony between man and the world, a perfect harmony between opposing forces in nature, known as the Yin and the Yang. TCM incorporates acupuncture, Chinese herbs and nutrition. Illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect. The pain that headache and migraine sufferers endure can impact every aspect of their lives. Acupuncture can offer powerful relief from headache without the side effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause.
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize migraines and recurring headaches as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment will depend on a number of variables. Acupuncture points to treat headaches are located all over the body. During the acupuncture treatment, tiny needles will be placed just slightly under the skin and retained for 15-30 minutes. The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.
About the Acupuncturist Nell Smircina:
“Nell Smircina, L.Ac., received her Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Emperor’s College in Santa Monica. Her undergraduate education was in Health Sciences and Physical Therapy, but once she began working with patients, she realized she wanted an opportunity to address a broader range of issues with her patients and decided to expand her scope of practice by going back to school and learning Chinese Medicine. As a licensed acupuncturist, she works with her patients holistically- everyone’s body is different and needs a customized plan to optimize their health. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine addresses the entire picture: the physical, emotional, environmental. She also looks at nutrition and lifestyle to determine the root of the issues you’re experiencing.
As an avid fitness enthusiast and former gymnast who has worked through many injuries, Nell is very comfortable working with athletic performance and recovery- an area she has studied in depth in for her doctorate. However, she also has specialized training in stroke rehabilitation, cosmetic acupuncture, and is well versed in pain management and pre and post surgical acupuncture. Her goal as your healthcare provider is to help you reach your optimal level of health and wellness”.
