Acupuncture Treatment Style
Rene's primary approach to treatment is via Dr. Tan, Dr. Tung, and Dr. Chen Balance Techniques. She also offers Auricular (ear) acupuncture and Zhu's Scalp Acupuncture. Her goal is to help patients return to a state of wholeness and vital health by using the best tools for the unique needs of each patient. In addition to acupuncture, she may also employ many non-needle therapies. Here is a brief description of some of these highly effective adjunctive therapies.


Non Needle Therapies
Teishin is an ancient art of healing using a small instrument made of gold, silver and jade, or other precious materials. Healers in ancient China used stone probes, similar to the modern teishin tool, to influence the acupuncture points and meridians several thousand years before the invention of needles. The puncturing of acupoints became more fashionable during the 1600's with the advent of steel needles.


Tuina (Asian Body Therapy) and Acupressure
Trigger Point Therapy and Acupressure may be part of your treatment plan. These modalities utilize the same theory as acupuncture without using needles. One way to diagnose what is considered the "sick" meridian is by using a unique system of muscle testing. When the "sinew channels" are impaired, the muscle is weak when challenged. This is considered a diagnostic clue. If we know how to ask, the body will tell us where it is unbalanced. Muscle testing is one method for asking the body questions.


Chinese & Western Herbal Medicine, Topical Liniments and Herbal Plasters
Rene Parke has extensive training in both Chinese and Western herbal traditions and utilizes both of them to create custom formulas for the special needs of each patient. In addition to clinical herbal medicine, she is a wildcrafter and master medicine maker. Herbal medicines address the underlying cause of illness and they rarely cause unwanted side effects. The Chinese Herbal medicines used in her dispensary are GMP certified. These herbal formulas come in several forms including capsules, tablets and liquid tinctures. She also uses topical liniments and plasters which are very helpful in reducing pain, inflammation, swelling, and speeding the healing process. Liniments are liquids applied directly to the skin, while plasters are Chinese herbs embedded in a cloth backing which are applied to the skin much like a large band-aid.


Cupping Therapy
In Chinese Medical Theory many types of pain are said to be caused by stagnation. This condition arises when energy or blood becomes trapped in the skin and/or muscle tissue and is unable to move. Cupping stimulates the circulation within the superficial muscle layers and benefits conditions such as arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, headache, common cold, and cough. Small glass or plastic cups are placed over specific areas and a vacuum is created under the cup using suction. This creates a non-painful tugging sensation on your skin. The cups are usually left in place for a period of several minutes. Rene may also employ a technique called "sliding cupping" where the cups are moved around over a large area – such as your back – to help increase circulation in the tissues. Cupping creates areas of redness which generally resolve in about three to five days.


Nutritional Recommendations
Rene has a strong background in both Chinese and Western nutritional therapies. She believes that a healthy, balanced, whole foods diet is one of the most important aspects of maintaining health. The digestive system is an integral part of the immune system and plays a significant role in a person's sense of well-being. For example, scientific evidence has demonstrated that there are more serotonin receptors in the gut than in the brain. Thus, a functional digestive system is actually one of the crucial keys to health and happiness. Nutritional recommendations have the objective to further reinforce vital digestive health and wholesome eating habits.

In addition, Rene often recommends consultation with a medical professional for laboratory studies to assess nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, or intestinal pathologies. Some health conditions may require both Eastern and Western medical modalities.


Breathing Exercises
You will be shown how to breathe effectively. It is the single most important change you can make to create a profound shift in your health immediately. The Chinese word for "energy" is the same as the word for "breath". Thus, proper breathing automatically improves energy, focus, concentration and sense of well-being.


Qigong (pronounced "chee-gong")
Qigong is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, cultivate, circulate and refine energy throughout the body. Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind. It has been shown to improve posture and respiration, induce the relaxation response, cause favorable changes in blood chemistry, and improve self awareness and concentration. Qigong techniques were developed in accord with the principles of Chinese medicine and lead to better health, vitality and a tranquil state of mind.

The goals of practice are:

• Flexibility, balance, strength, awareness
  
• Optimal health
  
• Strengthening sense organs
  
• Supplementing and balancing internal organs
  
• Boosting immune function
  
• Promoting digestion and elimination

Both China and the U.S. have hosted conferences for academic exchange of qigong research. Qigong has been shown to improve posture and respiration, induce the relaxation response, cause favorable changes in blood chemistry, and improve self-awareness and concentration. Research suggests that Qigong may be beneficial for Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Pain, and a wide variety of common ailments. External Qi Healing is effective for the same range of illnesses as acupuncture.