Anna M. Landauer, LAc, CMT

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) originated in ancient China and has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use herbal medicines and various mind and body practices, such as acupuncture and qigong, to treat or prevent health problems. Its fundamental principle is that the body is an integrated whole, connected with nature and optimally exists in a state of balance that can be re-achieved if thrown off for various reasons. In my sessions I use my knowledge of TCM to treat people using acupuncture and herbal medicine. You may choose to add some massage into your acupuncture session, or vice versa.

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Acupuncture

This ancient healing method activates the body's life force energy, called qi (pronounced "chi"). It can effectively treat everything from headaches to fatigue to low back pain to digestive issues to... you name it!

 

A treatment starts with a consultation of your health history and any problems in the past and present. After our discussion, you sit or lie down comfortably while a series of very small needles are placed into specific points along the body's energy pathways, or "meridians". The needles do their work while you relax for 20-30 minutes. Then the needles are carefully removed. That's it! After the treatment we may discuss herbal remedies, nutrition, lifestyle, and exercises you may do at home to ensure continued health.

 

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine has been used in all cultures for millenia, and is backed by a long and rich history of development, use and research. Herbs are generally easy to administer and cost-effective and when properly prescribed and used, have the advantage of being relatively free of side effects when compared to western pharmaceutical medicines. I draw from both Western herbalism, which uses herbs commonly found in the west such as St. John's Wort, Black Cohosh, Chamomile and Feverfew- with Chinese herbal medicine in which diagnosis and treatments are based on the theories of Traditional Chinese medicine.

I use herbal tinctures from a local herbalists at Five Flavors Herbs in Oakland, CA. Their formulas are skillfully crafted combinations of Western and Chinese herbs blended for optimum benefit.

 

Lifestyle Consultation

In my quest to help you feel your best, we may discuss how to improve your daily choices. Complete well-being includes healthy nutrition, exercise, stress prevention, and the occassional funny movie :)