Although records indicate the therapeutic use of acupuncture dating back to 3000 BC and outline its use throughout China for centuries, it has only been accepted in the West since the 1970's. Acupuncture is used as treatment for conditions ranging from asthma to addictions, with its most common application as a means of pain relief.

As an intricate element within the Traditional Chinese Medicine health system, acupuncture is based upon the foundation that the body is composed of qi (pronounced "chee"). This invisible "life energy" flows though the 12 main meridian points on the body that correspond to internal organs. Through the placement of sterile needles at the site of these meridian points, acupuncture provides balance to the opposite, yet complementary, forces, known as the yin and yang. This energy movement is essential to maintaining one's consistent well being.

Chinese Herbalism
Like acupuncture, Chinese Herbalism recognizes the concept of yin and yang and the necessity to balance these energy forces to achiever optimum health. Whereas Western Medicine looks for a specific cause correlating to a symptom, Traditional Chinese Medicine regards a symptom as a part of a pattern of disharmony.

By observing visible evidence of the state of a patient's health, asking questions about their history and habits and completing a physical evaluation, the herbalist then assesses where the disharmony exists. Based upon the collected information, the herbalist prescribes an appropriate herbal therapy that will gently enhance the boy's own healing power and restore harmony.

Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic Medicine is based on the belief that the body has the innate ability to heal itself if information is communicated and processed correctly through the nervous system. Messages come into the brain from the body's many sensory systems to alert us to potential threats which require a response. The brain then sends a message out to the body to appropriately deal with the situation at hand. If either the incoming or outgoing messages are unclear, like static on a phone line, problems may arise.

Chiropractic was developed to detect changes in spinal movement that may interfere with information delivery, and to correct motion abnormalities with a therapy called spinal manipulation. There are many different manipulation techniques practiced by chiropractors, and we use diversified, full spine manipulation here at the Clinic.

By restoring full motion in the segments of the spinal column, we allow for a more rapid resolution of complaints, and prevent future problems from occurring. We emphasize patient involvement in the course of treatment by placing all patients on a stretching and supportive exercise program which can be done at home. Coordination with our massage therapists can be of particular benefit for patients with substantial myofascial pain.

Our chiropractic department works closely with all our other health providers to ensure the best quality of care for our patients in a caring and nurturing environment. Helping patients help themselves to better health is our purpose here, and we are excited to have the opportunity to assist you.

Chiropractic Therapy
Most people are familiar with Chiropractic treatment for conditions such as back problems and sports injuries, however, the utilization of this complementary medicine reaches beyond misalignment of joints. Chiropractic physicians view the spine as the key to the whole body health and believe that any distortion to the spine affects other parts of the body. When the skeletal structure is solid, the body's natural healing processes are able to respond to any system need. In addition to its use in the treatment of spine and neck disorders, Chiropractic treatment has also been successful in relieving headaches, tinnitus, menstrual pain, asthma and allergies.

Internal and Preventive Medical Services
Traditional Medicine is as important to our practice as the alternative or non-traditional services offered by the Concord Clinic. Our physicians, nurses and staff work as a comprehensive team dedicated to helping each individual's needs effecting any health issue by utilizing traditional medical services or a combination of alternative treatments with the traditional. Our traditional services include:

Physical Exams
• In-depth history of past and present medical conditions with patients family history and risk factors
• Blood chemistry, cholesterol screenings (including HDL/LDL ratio)
• EKG
• Blood Pressure screening
• Comprehensive and complete physical exams

Preventative Screening (Age and/or family history dependent)
• PSA (prostate cancer)
• Colonoscopy (colon cancer)
• Pap Smear (ovarian cancer)
• Mammography (breast cancer)
• Bone Density (osteoporosis)
• Lung Spirometry (lung cancer)

Cardiac Risk Profile - Cardiovascular Laboratory*
• Stress Tests
• 24 hour heart monitoring
• Echocardiography Stress Tests
• Vascular Ultrasounds
*These tests help us determine a patient's risk for heart attack and/or stroke.

Women's Health and GYN Evaluations
• Pap Smear, Pelvic Exams
• Post Menopausal
• Exercise Program
• Nutritional Consultations
• Weight loss program
• Stress Management
Urgent Care (instead of the Emergency Room)
• Sore throat
• Cough, Bronchitis
• Yeast Infection
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Flu-like symptoms
Immunizations
• Flu shots
• Pneumococcal
• Hepatitis
• Tetanus
• Travel Vaccinations

Massage Therapy
Massage is a healing therapy that plays an important role in maintaining one's overall well-being, and is one of the oldest healing methods known.

Massage therapy can be instrumental in relieving pain and stiffness as well as extremely beneficial in reducing stress and disorders associated with stress such as headaches, digestive disorders, and muscle tension. As a relaxation aid, massage therapy can lower blood pressure and reduce the body's production of the stress hormones that compromise the immune system.

The benefits derived from a nurturing touch provided in massage therapy promote one's overall fitness to improve circulation, repair tissue and enhance athletic performance. It is also highly effective in reducing chronic pain, diminishing recovery time from illnesses, injury and in treating depression and anxiety.

Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic physicians practice a unique combination of modern and traditional medicine. They are family doctors who see everyone from the very young to the very old for conditions ranging from recurrent infections to digestive disorders to cancer. They look for the underlying causes of illness and endeavor to support the body's inherent healing mechanisms in order to restore health. Naturopaths look for physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, and environmental factors in a person's life that may be contributing to a lack of well-being; and they suggest changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle to treat or to prevent illness, injury, and disease. Naturopathic physicians are trained to use modern diagnostic techniques, but unlike most medical doctors, favoring the use of surgical procedures and prescription drugs, naturopathic doctors more commonly treat with diet and lifestyle suggestions, nutritional supplements, and herbal and homeopathic remedies.

Most naturopathic doctors hold an undergraduate degree that includes the standard pre-medical courses, and they graduate from one of four 4-year, federally accredited colleges of naturopathic medicine. In their first two years they study the basic sciences — anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology — and diagnostic skills. In the last two years, they learn specific therapies, such as nutrition, botanical medicine, and psychological counseling.

Naturopatic Therapy - Herbal Medicine
Similar to Chinese herbalism, Naturopatic therapy also enhances the body's own healing ability, restoring health in a slow and gentle manner. Naturopathic physicians incorporate herbs from Asia, Europe and South America to individualize a treatment formula for the patient based upon the specific complaints and symptoms.

Nutritional Education & Counseling – Conventional & Alternative
Nutritional health relates to more than absorbing the daily requirements of vitamins. Research has established a significant link between allergens (substances that trigger allergic reactions) and specific disorders. The foods we ingest have a direct relationship with how our body works to heal and balance itself. Nutritional probing works to identify the elements causing allergic reactions and distinguish intolerance that may be resulting in ailments extending from depression to eczema.

Women's Health Initiative
What a special focus on women's health, the specially educated nurse practitioners counsel patients regarding the attributes and liabilities of conventional hormone replacement therapy versus the benefits and limitations of natural plant derived estrogen for replacement purposes. These nurse practitioners also provide pelvic exams and pap smear testing to allow for detection of any potential problems.

Exercise Physiology and Sports Exercise Training

Weight Loss Program and Body Composition Analysis

Smoking Cessation Program

Physical Therapy and Muscle Stimulation Therapy

Aesthetics

Stress Management