Karen received her Masters in Chinese Medicine from the Florida College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a school dedicated to using the same curriculum of TCM established in China and staffed by all Asian doctors. Karen accumulated over 800 hours of internship working closely with five of the best PhD doctors from China. Karen is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and FL Board Licensed Acupuncturist. 

Prior to this, Karen had a practice in massage therapy which is an important modality in Chinese Medicine. She will gladly combine massage with acupuncture and recommends it.

WHAT IS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE?
Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm and stress to promote health and wellness.

HOW DOES MASSAGE WORK?
Massage doesn't just feel good. Research shows it reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. It may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness. The practitioner applies manual techniques, including adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR MASSAGE?
Massage comes in many forms, including:

Tui Na – form of Chinese manipulative therapy that focuses on pushing,
stretching and kneading the muscle in conjunction with the stimulation of
acupressure points and is used for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal
conditions.

Swedish Massage – This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but
not necessarily in the direction of the heart. Swedish massage is designed
to increase circulation and blood flow.
Pressure Point Therapy – applied in certain conditions or in response to
specific injuries.

Sports Massage – focuses on muscle groups relevant to a particular sport.

Deep Tissue – for releasing chronic pain or tension in the body using deep
strokes and deep finger pressure. Also available in this category is structural
technique massage to allow the body to relax to it's natural alignment.

What about the herbs....IS HERBAL MEDICINE FOR ME?
Herbs are an all-natural medicine and are as effective now as they were when
discovered 2,500 years ago. Herbs should be prescribed by a licensed acupuncture physician because of their healing properties and are meant to enhance the effects of acupuncture and massage.

Each patient will be diagnosed and if necessary prescribed a chinese herbal formula. Chinese herbal formulas are a carefully balanced recipe of several different herbs specifically tailored for each person's entire health condition. In Chinese medicine, the diagnostic system enables us to assess a person's whole constitution (the health of their entire body) and treat the root (or cause) of a health concern along with a branch (or symptoms) of a health concern. It is in this way that we are able to treat a person's whole body and mind, rather than just a symptom.

ARE CHINESE HERBS SAFE?
One of the most appealing qualities of Chinese Herbal Medicine is the low risk of
adverse reaction or side effects. Herbal medicine uses all the constituents of the
plant, including the cellulose. The herb is completely balanced, and therefore has minimal side effects. If you do notice any side effects, please stop taking your herbs and consult your herbalist right away.