Healthy Living Acupuncture offers a wide array of natural treatment modalities to assist clients on their journey to restore and balance their health Andrew Appello draws upon his extensive background in the various forms of acupuncture and accompanying complimentary treatments to design the correct plan to treat your condition and the results you seek. The treatment plan begins with an in-depth interview about you, your overall health and medical history. As an alternative health care practitioner, Andrew sees you as a whole person, not just your disease, so a complete understanding of you and your health is critical to selecting the proper treatment. Your plan may involve a combination of the following natural, drug-free modalities he offers:

Acupuncture: A painless healing therapy, using tiny needles inserted along meridians to improve the flow of “Qi,” (vital energy) that corrects imbalances and provides relief from pain and many illnesses. See “What is Acupuncture?” for more information of this ancient modality that is becoming widely accepted by many conventional, western medical practitioners.

Acupuncture with electric stimulation: After the needles are in place, selected points are further stimulated by connecting the needles to an electric stimulation unit. A gentle, comfortable pulsing is felt. This strongly moves “Qi” and breaks up blockages. It is very effective for pain and inflammation, as well as tightness and muscle spasm.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture: To treat the appearance of aging skin, this technique involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into particular areas of the face, ears, neck, hands, trunk, and legs along specific meridians to improve muscle tone and dermal contraction, especially in the face and neck. It also increases collagen production and aids in its dispersal, which helps to firm the skin and fill out wrinkles. It improves the complexion and skin texture like getting a facial at a salon, but the results are deeper and more permanent. This technique emphasizes health and beauty from the inside to manifest as a youthful appearance.

Cupping: A treatment often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses a spherical glass cup to form a vacuum and apply pressure to areas of the body for healing. By releasing the stagnation of blood and energy, cupping is often used to relieve musculoskeletal pain and tightness, and to treat respiratory ailments, poor circulation and scar tissue.

Gua Sha: As a traditional Oriental home remedy, this treatment involves scraping the lubricated skin along the fleshy areas of the yang meridians to treat various conditions including fever, heat stroke, muscle and tendon injuries/tension, headache, digestive, urinary and gynecological disorders.

Tui Na: A therapeutic massage technique that involves rigorous stretching and musculo-tendon work to stimulate the meridians and facilitate the flow of “Qi.” It is effective for pain relief, integrating the structure and functions of the body and improving athletic performance.

Anma: A traditional oriental massage technique useful for stress release, relaxation and general balancing. Similar to a Swedish massage, it involves stroking and rubbing.

Shiatsu: A therapy that applies gentle pressure to muscles, tendons and acupuncture points. It promotes the prevention of and recovery from illness by stimulating various systems to increase the body’s natural healing power. Shiatsu promotes balancing of the meridians, relaxation of the muscles and increase of flexibility.

Reflexology: A type of foot and hand therapy aiming to improve circulation, stimulate elimination of wastes, and correct organ functioning. The theory behind reflexology is that any disorder of the mind, body or spirit can be treated through a microcosm, a small area of the body, which reflects and connects to all other areas of the body. The body is made up of various microcosms, two examples being the feet and hands. In reflexology, specific areas on the feet that correspond to other areas of the body are manipulated to rebalance and redistribute vital energy (qi/prana) throughout the body.

Abhyanga: Following Ayurvedic principals, an oil blend is made to balance the excess and deficient constitutional imbalances (the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha). This oil blend is warmed and applied liberally to the body in rhythmic stroking motions so the oil penetrates and increases the circulation of blood, lymph and prana (energy) in the nadis (meridians). The rhythm allows the chitta (mind) to calm, muscles relax and tensions drain. Effective for prevention of illness and body detoxification, Abhyanga rejuvenates the body and increases flexibility. It is especially useful for yoga, martial arts and meditation practitioners.

Oriental Diet Therapy: Following one of the eight traditional branches of Chinese medicine, a diet is designed selecting food according to their energetic property to encourage healing, strengthen, rebuild and balance the body through proper nutrition. The diet is highly individualized according to the patient’s needs.

Western Nutrition: Through the selection of vitamins, herbs, supplements and other natural products, the optimal nutritional environment is provided for maximum self-healing and healthful body functioning.

Herbal Therapies: A safe, effective and drug-free therapy to become well and stay healthy using herbs specially combined to treat the patient’s condition. For more information, see “Herbal Therapies.”

Reiki: A subtle yet powerful energy healing method that corrects imbalances in energy flow through the physical, emotional and spiritual body. It releases stress and helps achieve a natural state of wholeness and well-being. Reiki helps to release blocked emotional energy, which can often become the underlying cause of disease and discomfort. It can be used alone or to complement other healing modalities.