Charlie Cannon is 1st Sports Medicine Acupuncturist in Gorge!
Call us: (541) 386-8767
SERVICES WE PROVIDE
ACUPUNCTURE
For over 3000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, Chinese herbs and bodywork, has been effectively used to treat a wide variety of health issues. Acupuncture is the oldest, continuously practiced, health care system in the world and is the primary health care system for one third of the world’s population. The benefits, safety and efficacy of acupuncture have been clearly recognized and well documented. Presently, these aspects of acupuncture have also been well documented in Western medical journals and institutions across the United States and Europe.
Due to its safety and less-invasive nature, acupuncture has become one of the most popular forms of complementary medicine practices today. Every treatment is individually prescribed to that specific patient, addressing the unique imbalances that he/she is experiencing. Specific symptoms are considered in relation to the person as a whole, in order to balance and treat all aspects of a person’s health and well-being. Traditional acupuncture is a highly effective holistic system of medical care.
The basic premise underlying this system is that health is dependent on the person’s vital energy (QI) flowing in a smooth and balanced manner throughout the body via the meridians (energy channels), which connect all fascia, tissues, and organs of the body. (One might think of a fiber optic system, where communication and action between various parts of the body is extremely quick and efficient.) When this energy flow becomes blocked, symptoms of pain, illness, or both, begin to surface. This blockage tends to occur when the forces of yin-yang (two opposing and inseparable forces) become unbalanced. (The concept of two opposing yet complementary forces are seen throughout life.
Yin representing the slow, passive, internal, cold, etc aspects and Yang representing the excited, active, external, hot, etc. aspects. One cannot have “cold” without some degree of “hot”, one cannot have “day” without “night”, and so on.) Acupuncturists evaluate the yin-yang balance/imbalance within a person and work to bring this back into a balanced state.
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CHINESE HERBS
Chinese herbal medicine makes use of over 500 herbal substances, which are used individually or are combined into formulas that address the specific health concerns of each patient. Chinese herbal medicine has a rich and detailed, documented history of over 3000 years, with successful treatment as effective today as then. Most of the herbs are of plant origin, although mineral and animal substances are sometimes used.
Herbs are used alone or in conjunction with other Chinese Medical treatments, such as acupuncture. Just like acupuncture, herbs are individually tailored to address not only a patient’s presenting signs and symptoms, but often to treat the root of the illness or condition. Herbal medicine tends to be much safer than prescription drugs, with less and minimal side effects that usually resolve once the herbs are stopped.
Columbia River Acupuncture is very careful in prescribing herbs when patients are also taking western pharmaceuticals. In most cases, herbs can easily be taken when a patient is also taking prescription drugs.
Herbs are prescribed in a variety of forms – from raw herbs that are cooked and taken in a tea form, to granules or tinctures, to pill form.
We work with you to determine which form is best for you and your condition. It is important to respect herbs as a powerful medicine, just as one would respect western pharmaceuticals, and to work with your practitioner for the most successful results.
All herbs used at Columbia River Acupuncture are thoroughly tested for heavy metals and pesticides and are free from endangered animal parts.
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TUINA BODYWORK
Tui na is literally translated to mean, “push pull”. Tui na is a Chinese form of medical massage, which works alongside acupuncture and other modalities of Chinese medicine to restore balance and health for the patient.
Tui na uses a variety of hand techniques combined with passive and active stretching, to restore musculoskeletal relationships, to increase Qi and blood circulation, and to reduce fascial adhesions. At Columbia River Acupuncture, both Charlie Cannon and Susan Froehlich are trained in Tuina. In addition, Charlie is available for full 1 hour Tuina bodywork appointments as a stand-alone treatment.
Tui na is performed to rebalance and harmonize the flow of QI and blood throughout the body, to treat musculoskeletal problems especially joint pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, and acute injuries due to motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or work related injuries. By increasing blood-flow to areas of pain, the muscles are able to relax, remove toxic waste byproducts leftover in the lymph and provide nourishment for tissues to heal.
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At Columbia River Acupuncture, we combine all modalities within Traditional Chinese Medicine, including nutritional therapy to achieve the best possible results for our patients. Depending on individual needs or sensitivity, we are able to tailor each treatment to use some or all modalities within the scope of a TCM practitioner including acupuncture, tuina massage and stretching along with laser pens for those averse to needles. A complete treatment will often additionally include the use of herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and physical medicine techniques: cupping, gua-sha, moxibustion and therapeutic exercises.
Dietary Therapy is an important part of Chinese Medicine. The old adage “we are what we eat” could have been derived from a proponent of dietary therapy. Appropriate nutrition differs from individual to individual and from one phase of life to another phase. It is herbal therapy in its most basic and absorbable form – most often, our bodies know what to do with food, which makes food a powerful medicine.
When one eats appropriately for his/her constitution, food is easily transformed into energy and blood restoring the body to its natural balance.
Columbia River Acupuncture not only classifies foods from a Chinese Medical perspective, but also from the most recent research on nutritional therapy from a western medical perspective. Chinese medicine classifies foods in terms of temperature, taste, and effect. It views foods in terms of their actions / uses, and how it can assist the body to heal itself, maintain balance and increase longevity.
In addition, nutritional therapy from western perspectives offers another point of view, but all with the outcome of improving health and longevity through eating well. Columbia River Acupuncture will address your dietary habits and offer suggestions as needed or requested.
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DIETARY THERAPY
QIGONG
Developed from human’s intimate connection with nature, approximately 5,000 yrs ago. QiGong can simple be defined as the art of training one’s Qi (or vital energy) and mind (mental consciousness). The Chinese character “Qi” means respiration, while “Gong” means continuous regulation of one’s respiration and posture with the mind conducting the process.
The goal of QiGong is to train the Qi and Mind, with mind leading Qi to circulate along the network of channels, to promote, enhance and regulate Qi and blood in the main and collateral channels, to maintain the balance of Yin and Yang and to strengthen one’s physique.These exercises can help to cure one of diseases and to keep one as healthy as possible.
There are many forms or exercises of QiGong – these may be practiced in motion, in stillness or in motion and stillness alternately. Some forms that you may know about are Chinese Essence QiGong, Soaring Crane QiGong, Thousand Hands Buddha, Spring Forest QiGong.
We practice QiGong on a regular basis to maintain our own health and are happy to consult patients on basic forms to improve health and unblock emotional/physical blockages. We recommend those wishing to expand their understanding/practice of Qi Gong to attend classes offered in the Gorge or Portland.
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MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion (moxa) is one of the oldest methods of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Moxa comes in many forms originating from the herb artemsia vulgaris/mugwort. In a treatment setting, moxa is burned typically in small or large amounts, which creates heat atop the body, stimulating acupoints and the movement of Qi and Blood.
This stimulation, directly or indirectly, warms the body regions, promoting smooth flows of Qi and blood, in a tonifying manner. Moxa is particularly effective in the treatment of chronic conditions, “deficient states”, and in the treatment of elderly patients. It has also been clinically proven to be effective for the treatment of chronic and acute pain, digestive disorders, skin conditions, women’s health disorders and sexual dysfunction.
Columbia River Acupuncture employs use of both moxibustion as well as TDP lamps, a modern version of moxibustion. TDP lamps are also known as far-infared lamps which stimulate blood circulation on a much deeper level than conventional heat.
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CUPPING, GUA SHA
Cupping and Gua Sha are non-invasive methods of releasing Qi and toxins from deep muscle layers into more superficial tissue layers. When the Qi/toxins are in the more superficial tissue layers, they are more easily dispersed, thereby assisting the body in restoring the smooth balance of Qi.
With cupping, glass, bamboo or plastic cups are placed on the skin by use of a vacuum. They are left in place for a short time or are moved up and down an area. Gua Sha employs the use of specific hand tools to move stagnant blood in muscles to the superficial tissues, which relieves pain and allows for quicker healing. At Columbia River Acupuncture we use these therapies to relieve “stagnation” (a TCM term-referring to the musculoskeletal pain).
They are often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain of neck, shoulders, back, thighs, for headaches and in common respiratory illnesses like the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
Cupping and Gua Sha are usually painless; however some bruising or red marks may occur, as blood/toxins/Qi are drawn to the surface of the skin. These should dissipate within a few hours or days.
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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Columbia River Acupuncture offers consultations on nutritional supplement therapy as part of your treatment plan, as well as a stand-alone consultation visit. We are also happy to order any supplements that might be needed for each patient.
Our clinic maintains many supplements:
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Nordic Naturals - Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
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Eclectic Institute - multimineral/vitamins, Cal/Mg, western herbs
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Formula 303
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Aloha - Medicinal Mushrooms
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Host Defense - Medicinal Mushrooms
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Enzme Science - digestive enzymes, candida overgrowth, probiotics
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Seroyal - high quality adult and children probiotics
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Standard Process
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Thorne Labs - Mediclear, iron, VitK2,VitD3 and others
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Progressive Labs - Utract, Glucosamine-Chondroitin
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Ayush Herbs
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Vega One
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TELEMEDICINE
What is Telemedicine?
According to CMS, telehealth, telemedicine, and related terms generally refer to the exchange of medical information from one site to another through electronic communication to improve a patient’s health. Innovative uses of this kind of technology in the provision of healthcare is increasing. And with the emergence of the virus causing the disease COVID-19, there is an urgency to expand the use of technology to help people who need routine care, keep vulnerable people and those with mild symptoms in their homes while maintaining access to the care that they need. Limiting community spread of the virus, as well as limiting
How Can We Help?
We are here to help YOU! During this challenging time, we do not need to see you in person to help you! Our providers are practitioners of the whole system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, not just acupuncture. We are skilled in Chinese Medical diagnosis, herbal recommendations, dietary advice, therapeutic exercises/stretches, supplement recommendations, meditation and qigong. As part of your telemedicine visit, we will share these with you via email, links to YouTube or other internet sources. Herbal preparations will be safely packaged for you to pickup in our Mosier office or could be mailed to you.
Does A Telemedicine Session Look Like?
We’re excited to be developing all sorts of tools to help you remotely. Telemedicine appointments are convenient, don’t require travel and are as simple as a 10-25 minute phone call or a video conference call. We will discuss your concerns and advise accordingly, using herbal prescriptions (both internal and topically), dietary advice, exercise recommendations, meditation resources and qigong instruction. Chinese Herbal Medicine has been recorded for thousands of years and has successful, natural, herbal solutions for most conditions. Patients might consider telemedicine to keep them healthy as well as for stress, anxiety, pain, sleeplessness, digestive disorders, cold and flu symptoms and more. Please contact us for more information or to schedule your first Telemedicine visit today!
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