Michelle A. Kung
LAc., Dipl O.M (NCCAOM), Ph.D. (Clinical Health Psychology)
Michelle
is a licensed acupuncturist in both states of California and Hawaii.
She is a certified herbalist and focuses on the healing properties of
foods and lifestyle efforts to assist patients to maintain good health.
She has an extensive Western research background and with her
background in clinical health psychology and PNEI she offers a
psychobiological perspective to health.
Michelle works as a health consultant with other practitioners (traditional massage techniques, traditional dentistry, and integrative Western medical physicians) to bring you the best options to promote a healthy, balanced life.
Michelle's orientation on the practice of Chinese Medicine...
Chinese
medicine is a complete medical system. There are several orientations
of Chinese medicine (e.g., Traditional Chinese Medicine, 5-element,
Taoist/I-Ching, Korean Hand, Japanese styles), each of which is
specialized for treating an array of conditions.
I
use Classical Chinese medical concepts that emphasize on proper
nutrition and a balanced lifestyle to maintain good health and the use
of acupuncture and herbal medicine as tools to treat imbalances of the
body. My primary focus is on patient education with the goal to help
you understand how your body functions so that you are able to make
health-conscious choices. Understanding how to restore and bring
harmony to your body is the foundation of well-being. Classical
Chinese nutrition emphasizes on the temperatures of foods and their
healing properties according to a yin and yang model. I further extend
this model to teach patients the blending of foods to benefit their
health.
Chinese
medicine practitioners should understand ‘qi’ movement and its
application to health using knowledge of the yin/yang balance that
forms the basis of their diagnosis. Due to my extensive background in
Western research (research and book chapter publications in
psychoneuroendocrine-immunology (PNEI), dental research, and
neuroimaging) it is even today I practice Chinese medicine with the
approach of a skeptic; I am in constant awe of its simplicity and
consistency in resolving the most chronic conditions. I have found
Chinese medical philosophy to be invaluable and have incorporated these
principles into my life through my work in clinical health psychology
to enjoying permaculture and self-sustainable agriculture work of which
my focus is on the healing effects of herbs; thus, I have gained
increase knowledge in horticultural techniques and medicinal/health
functions of culturally-diverse foods.
With over 15 years of experience, my orientation is on preventive healthcare, specifically in understanding the primary
stages of imbalance and knowing how to restore balance to the body;
health is defined as the ability to be flexible with change.
Imbalances result from mental and physical trauma incurred in our
lifetime, some of which are inevitable; prolonged suffering is
unnecessary when balance to the body is restored.
Examples of western diagnosed conditions that benefit from treatment with Classical Chinese medicine:
Muscoloskeletal Pain: spondylosis, fibromyalagia, DISH
Gynecological/Menstrual Issues: PMS, dysmenorrhea, hemorrhagia, irregular menstruation, infertility, menopause
Psychological: anxiety disorders (PTSD, OCD), depressive disorders
Immunological: allergies, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, lupus and other autoimmune disorders
Neurological: neuromas, neuropathy, tremors, migraines, sciatica, insomnia
Digestive: ulcers, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids
Metabolic: thyroid disorders, diabetes
Techniques Used:
Acupuncture
Herbal
Tuina
Cupping
Moxa
Acupressure
Medical Qi Gong
