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Meet Mary West, Licensed Acupuncturist
A graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Mary West holds a master's degree in Oriental medicine and is licensed as an acupuncturist by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners. She will work with you to develop a treatment plan to optimize you health as well as to achieve and maintain your well-being and vitality. Mary specializes in Tan treatment for pain management and in Japanese acupuncture. She also draws on other modalities that can help your body heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. Depending on the plan she develops with you, they might include: · Herbs · Moxa · Cupping · Gua Sha · Shiatsu · Qi Gong A longtime student of philosophies and lifestyles of both East and West, Mary's acupuncture practice reflects her profound respect for a wide spectrum of techniques to promote healing and wellness. Among the many conditions for which her acupuncture techniques can be particularly effective are: · Pain (headaches, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, menstrual disorders, carpal tunnel) · Respiratory disorders (allergies, sinusitis, asthma, colds) · Digestive problems (nausea, indigestion, constipation, food allergies, colitis) · Stress, fright, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, anxiety, low energy · Cancer treatment side effects, especially chemotherapy · Addiction and drug detoxification (nicotine, alcohol, drugs) Acupuncture is known to boost the immune system and may be especially useful not only in disease prevention, but also in chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus and with supportive treatment for multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. In addition to improving health challenges, acupuncture can enhance overall well-being through treatments for relaxation, weight management, facial rejuvenation and infertility. Mary will tailor an individual treatment plan with you – in collaboration with other medical practitioners, as appropriate – to address your specific needs. She offers a free introductory consultation for new patients to acquaint you both with acupuncture and with her practice.
Frequenty Asked Questions
Q: Just what is acupuncture? A. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, the term "acupuncture" describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited or active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a balanced state. Disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea and other countries. The World Health Organization reports that acupuncture may be indicated for relieving postoperative pain, nausea during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy, and dental pain. It also states that acupuncture can alleviate anxiety, panic disorders and insomnia, and it has very few side-effects. Q: I've never experienced acupuncture and Oriental medicine. What can I expect? A: Oriental medical diagnosis seeks to determine the underlying causes of an illness or disorder. The diagnostic process requires skills and uses techniques with which you may be unfamiliar. For example, careful visual inspection of the surface of the tongue and a detailed reading of wrist pulses are two highly developed methods employed in traditional Oriental medicine that allow the practitioner to understand numerous aspects of a patient's physiological process. The types of questions the Oriental medical practitioner may pose likewise might be unusual for you. Each question and diagnostic step will help the practitioner in evaluating your health needs and selection the most appropriate therapeutic approach. Q: What should I bring to my first visit to the acupuncturist? A: Please bring your completed new patient forms to your first appointment, including your medical and health history, an authorization for release of medical records and acknowledgement receipt of our financial policies. Special clothing and other personal items aren't necessary. Q: What will happen when I arrive at the clinic? A: Please give the completed and signed authorizations and acknowledgements to the receptionist when you check in, and retain the medical history for the practitioner. You should be greeted by the acupuncturist within 10 minutes of your arrival. (If not please notify the receptionist.) Q: Can I get treated with acupuncture if I'm pregnant? A: You must have a primary care provider and consent for acupuncture from that provider if you are pregnant=ant or become pregnant while being treated with acupuncture. Q: A: All of our practitioners and staff members respect your privacy and adhere to the strictest procedures to safeguard you confidentiality.
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