The Clinic

We practice Classical Chinese Medicine, one of the oldest and most comprehensive models of health care with medical texts and tools dating back thousands of years. Through this lens, the body is seen as a whole and not treated in parts — we are more like a garden, and less a machine.

Our practitioners find the connections between symptoms and diseases to identify a common pattern in each individual. Alleviating symptoms and dysfunction results by addressing the root causes of imbalance. Treating the whole person and not the disease, brings the body back to its natural state of balance leading to an overall improvement in quality of life, while also treating the back pain, anxiety or sinus pressure you initially came in for.

Chinese Medicine was developed around a comfortableness with the statement “I don’t know” and rooted in the virtues of integrity, honesty, humility and benevolence. Both modern medicine and Chinese Medicine have been influenced by the Western pollution that claims answers as the superior way. Putting ego at the center of diagnosis does not create openness to trusting the mechanisms that represent our normal physiological processes. It is an answer. It is not necessarily the right answer.

Our modern medical and scientific communities are beginning to recognize the benefits of acupuncture, but have not yet begun to understand the transformative potential of Chinese Medicine as a whole. We are honored to share this ancient wisdom with you.

The Eight Branches of Care


The eight branches of care represent the comprehensive approach of our medicine. We partner with you to meet your health needs through individualized care. At The Clinic, we provide treatments in a private setting for profound transformation. The Center allows us to further expand our support with meditation, breath, movement and seasonal guidance in community circles. Both spaces honor the interconnectedness of self and nature.

AcupunctureMoxibustion
zhēnjiǔ (針灸)

As one of the most researched of all complementary medicines, acupuncture is the most recognized of the eight branches. Together acupuncture and moxibustion are considered applied treatments of Chinese Medicine, which require comprehensive knowledge of diagnosis, theory and treatment to apply effectively. Over centuries of practice, each have evolved to be very safe and effective treatment modalities with limited risks and positive side effects.

Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of tiny, sterile needles into specific locations of the body while Moxibustion uses heat by warming an herb indirectly at the surface of the skin, upon needles or over broad areas. Both therapies are seen as equally important and a well trained practitioner is able to distinguish which is most appropriate for each person.

AcuMoxa therapies are used to cause transformative change within the body, working as a catalyst for the innate healing process and further promote the smooth and correct flow of qi and fluids— alleviating pain, improving digestion and sleep, reducing stress and so on. Further biomedical mechanisms and studies from the NIH and WHO which focus primarily on the physical body can be reviewed here.

These locations of the body that are stimulated during AcuMoxa treatment are sometimes referred to as acupoints. Acupoints is a mistranstion of the word —, which means Qi cavern or hole. These points are really spaces, much like a spiraling vortex. And, perhaps, helps to explain why the technology of our material world is unable to quite understand what is not able to be seen.

Herbal medicine is an integral component of Chinese medicine and is often used in conjunction with acupuncture/moxibustion to restore balance. There are hundreds of medicinal substances – primarily plants, but also some minerals and animal products – classified by their perceived action in the body. Different parts of plants such as the leaves, roots, stems, flowers and seeds are combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, tinctures or powders.

Like food, herbs have different thermal properties, actions, directions and uses, making them very safe when used appropriately. However, there are also herbs which are as strong or toxic as pharmaceuticals. It is important to remember that too much of any one substance can create imbalance with in the body, and this is true for herbs as well as food.

Food Therapy as medicine or Nutrition, is not a concept but rather a practice that has been utilized in China for centuries as an important catalyst for healing.

“Those who take medicine and neglect diet, waste the skills of the physician.” – Chinese Proverb

Foods and herbs have a particular taste and specific properties that can treat people with certain ailments. The Chinese diet includes all five flavors – pungent, sour, bitter, sweet and salty. Each flavor will resonate with the yin organ for which it corresponds – sweet for Spleen, bitter for Heart, salty for Kidney, sour for Liver and pungent for Lung. These flavors have the ability to change the viscera (zang fu) organ to which they represent. The change, referred to as its action, may be to: disperse, gather, strengthen, soften or contain. An action can also be seen in the form of a direction, such as outward, upward, downward or inward. 

Bodywork encompasses many of the hands on techniques used in Chinese medical massage, tuina, acupressure and additional physical therapies. Acupressure is the stimulation of specific areas manually, by which the practitioner applies pressure with the fingers, thumbs or elbows to create a therapeutic response. By stimulating certain points, the effects can be similar to that of acupuncture and especially effective in clearing meridians, circulating qi, reducing stagnation, and improving the overall function and balance of yin and yang.

Acupressure is just one of the many techniques of tuina bodywork. Others include; tapping, vibration, friction and shaking. These techniques create a response in the body’s energy, used to tonify or sedate the meridian flow to correct imbalance. The understanding of qi (energy) and meridians is essential. Our practitioners are trained to free and alter the flow of energy and blood while relaxing the muscles and manipulating joints. Tuina (meaning push – pull) may also be used to realign skeletal and structural problems. As one of the oldest forms of massage, it is both relaxing and therapeutic.

Cupping and gua sha are therapies used to promote the movement of blood and qi to improve circulation, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Both are used to reduce tension, improve function and alleviate pain. Cupping applies suction to the skin’s surface using glass or silicone cups, often leaving circular marks which we have come to commonly see on athletes and Olympians.

Gua sha, known as a scraping, spooning or coining technique, helps bring stagnant circulation to the surface of the skin and improve overall micro circulation by producing anti-inflammatory and immune protective effects. It has grown in popularity as a tool to improve facial tone, lymph drainage and skin health by way of facial massage. Though the approach in techniques differ between the face and body, it offers many benefits when applied correctly.

The importance of movement is less about exercise and more about balance. Overly strenuous activity or lack of movement are both seen as problematic when it comes to good health. Chinese medicine recognizes that lack of movement leads to stagnation of qi and blood, which can cause several health problems. You don’t have to practice Tai Chi for wellness – any form of movement like walking, yoga or stretching, that supports your body and breath will offer immense health benefits.

The practice of Tai Chi or Taiji (translated as ‘supreme ultimate’) is considered the primary form of movement therapy in Chinese medicine. It is an essential part of well-being. This non-strenuous and low impact exercise focuses on improving the mind-body connection by circulating and improving the flow of qi, helping to establish balance and promoting better health. Taiji is practiced while standing and incorporates fluid movements and deep breathing exercises, which help build strength, while increasing flexibility and balance. Also, it has been shown to increase memory, concentration and circulation, as well as reducing anxiety, back pain, and high blood pressure.

Breath work techniques may be used to relax the body, calm the nervous system, reduce pain and anxiety, and encourage digestion. By focusing on the breath and applying coordination and intentional practice, it promotes better health. 

A simple trick to check if you are breathing deeply is to put your hand on your belly and breathe all the way into your abdomen, and allow your hand to raise as the belly fills with breath. Then, keep inhaling to fill up your lungs before you take a long, slow exhale.

Both Qigong and Yoga are excellent practices to help develop deep breathing techniques.

Qigong (meaning “life energy cultivation” or “qi practice”) is the practice of aligning breath, movement and awareness for physical health, healing, and meditation to cultivate balance of breath and body. A qigong practice typically involves reaching a calm mindful state while breathing rhythmically, coordinated with slow repetition of fluid movement.

Geomancy, also referred to as feng shui —meaning wind (feng) and water (shui) examines how the placement of objects in an environment affect the energy flow and how these objects interact with and influence your personal energy flow. More simply, it is the interaction of humans and their environments. Historically, feng shui was used to orient buildings, structures, homes and even tombs to create a more auspicious environment.

The concepts of feng shui are not much different than those used in acupuncture to move, unblock and promote qi with in the body. The main tools used in feng shui analysis are the Bagua and the magnetic compass. Cures or environmental changes sometimes include items such as mirrors, fountains, crystals, coins, and the use of certain colors. When a home or environment of any kind is in good harmony or balance, it is believed that luck, fortune and good health will follow. You can achieve feng shui by positioning or designing your surroundings in harmony with principles of natural energy flow to create comfort and balance in your space.

It is about “where you are” and aligning your energy with that of your environmental influences.

Feng shui has become increasingly popular in the Western world, but in that popularization much of the original knowledge and history has been lost in translation. Sometimes seen as just another form of interior decorating, this skilled practice is quite the opposite. The practice of feng shui is very diverse and there are many different techniques, perspectives and schools of thought.

Chinese cosmology is a system based on the positions, relationships and movements of the sun, the moon, the five major planets in the solar system and the 28 constellations in the sky. It was established more than 2,200 years ago during the Warring States period (330 BC – 221 BC), serving the purpose of observing and monitoring the impact of climate change on agriculture, and reflecting and forecasting the celestial influence on politics and warfares.

The heavenly rhythms guide our space in time and help to orient our behaviors, activities and self care to align with the cycles of the sun, moon, stars and the four seasons. These concepts of knowing our place and right time can have a great advantage to shape our treatment strategies and recommendations – right down to every needle we place.

The culmination of spacetime work and the foundational guide for all beings living between heaven and earth.

How do we orient and align ourselves, take care appropriately and plan for each phase of life knowing we are a microcosm of the macrocosm. Respecting the wisdom that is available to us, we can follow this guidance to live in better harmony.

Our Focus


We approach our partnership in care by understanding your intentions before devising a treatment plan, while focusing on core/root issues rather than symptoms alone. While we treat everything from digestive issues to anxiety, our areas of advanced study and skill include:

Prevention & Nourishing Life

Pregnancy & Postpartum Care

Pediatric Care

Pain Management

What Do I Need To Know?

Our Care & Pricing

Our clinic is accepting new patients and invite you to schedule online. If you have any questions, please connect.

Our Holistic Care Visits

Initial Consultation — 30-45min/$50-75. This initial consult is needed for all first time visits and returning visits if more than a year has passed since your last care plan was established. We will meet to address your goals, needs and discuss care options. Comprehensive care plans promote preventative strategies for well being, while addressing immediate health concerns based on the needs of each person, their constitution and the season. Expect to discuss and prepare for a health intake, history, assessment, and examination. Appropriate care (below) will follow the initial consult and only scheduled separately upon request.

Adult Holistic Care — 45-60min/$100. Comprehensive care is designed around your treatment plan. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupressure/energy work, as well as herbal medicine and food therapies. Continued support and guidance.

Pediatric Care (12&under) — 30min/$50. Acupressure (shonishin, tuina, and microcurrent), seasonal and constitutional guidance, herbal medicine and food based recommendations. Continued support and guidance.


Beyond Needles

Complementary care to enhance primary treatment or as effective stand-alone therapies for established patients.

Herbal Medicine Consult — 30min/$50. Individualized care using herbal medicine and whole food supplementation for good health and overall well being.

Bodywork with Cupping/Guasha — 30min/$50. Bodywork using tuina, acupressure and eastern therapies addresses specific concerns, general overall wellness and relaxation of the mind

Ear Acupuncture — 30min/$50. Ear/auricular treatments consist of several needles placed in each ear to address stress reduction and a general sense of well being.

What to Expect

During your initial visit, you can expect for us to spend about 60-90 minutes together. Please reserve extra time to ensure you do not feel rushed to leave after your treatment. It is important to eat a small snack or light meal before your visit to avoid receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach.

An initial visit includes an acupuncture treatment as well as a thorough discussion regarding your current health and health history. We will discuss your goals for improving health and create a plan to help you achieve them. Every step of the way, we work to ensure you feel heard and respected and leave feeling educated about your health.

CANCELATION POLICY
We strive to maintain a smooth and efficient flow so that you can enjoy your treatment on time all of the time. Services are by appointment only, so please know 24 hours notice is required for canceling or rescheduling an appointment to avoid charges.

A missed appointment with no prior notification will result in a charge for full price of the treatment missed and must be paid before another appointment will be scheduled or administered. Since emergencies happen, exceptions must be approved by phone/text before the appointment. We greatly appreciate your business and thank you for your cooperation with this policy.


Virtual Visits

We encourage anyone who is unable to visit us in person to access care via telemedicine — please connect to schedule a virtual appointment or consultation with Sheri.

Telemedicine Consult – Established 15-30min/$50-75. Phone or video consultation to communicate treatment plans, refill herbal/food prescriptions and discuss nutrition and ongoing care strategies.

Telemedicine Consult – Initial 45-60min/$100-125. Video consultation to create a treatment plan, including herbal medicine or whole food supplements, nutrition, acupressure guidance, breath work, and lifestyle changes.

I am grateful for the modernization of Chinese Medicine in making holistic health care more accessible, something I’ve benefited from as a Westerner. I also understand the invention of TCM was established by the Republic of China and not representative of the classics or original intention of lineage-based teachings. Systematizing complex theories is a way for the medicine to be utilized and learned by more people. And while it’s a system I have learned from, it is not the only way I choose to learn.

I remain dedicated to the classical teachings and to respecting the place for modernization while honoring the lineage of many medicine carriers before me. It’s a knowledge I will never claim as mine, but rather see as shared wisdom to carry forward in order to better our collective future and assist all beings who inhabit this earth.

— Sheri Lee, Founder of 8 Branches

FAQs

Whether you’re new to acupuncture or just new to our clinic, we want you to feel comfortable and prepared before your first visit. We hope these FAQs help with that: