Dr. Geralyn Kruger, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Functional Medicine

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is one arm of a complete medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which dates back over 2,000 years. Acupuncture is the insertion and manipulation of sterile, single-use, flexible, hair-thin needles at specific points along energetic pathways of the body to improve physiological function and promote natural healing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body's vital energy (qi) flows in a regular pattern, along energetic pathways or meridians, nourishing all systems of the body and mind and promoting optimal communication. This can be thought of as a web-like network throughout the entire body and brain, connecting and supporting all organs and tissues.

Traditional Chinese Medical theory is a holistic model, where nothing is seen in isolation, but in functional relativity to the whole. Disease is treated by treating the root origin of disharmony, restoring health to the entire system. In a healthy person, all systems of the body and mind communicate smoothly and there are no symptoms of illness or discomfort. Pain and illness arise out of imbalances or blockages within the system. A blockage can be thought of as a dam on a river. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body forms disharmonies because of the various physical and mental stresses of daily life such as trauma, overwork, inadequate rest, improper diet, environmental toxins, infections and gut ecosystem dysbiosis, and excess emotional stress. Acupuncture stimulates different points on the body to restore the smooth flow of qi.

From a western standpoint, acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release endorphins and other chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals can change the experience of pain and will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system. It returns the body to its natural balance and promotes the body's ability to heal itself.

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Functional Medicine:

To get better answers, we need to ask better questions.

Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex chronic illnesses such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, pernicious infections, endocrine disruption, infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gut dysbiosis, addiction, toxic overload, and mental illness. While conventional medicine is phenomenal in terms of acute, emergency care, and surgical interventions, people with chronic pain and complex illnesses are slipping through the cracks.

Functional Medicine, much like Traditional Eastern Medicine, is a holistic framework that views all systems of the body as interconnected, rather than separate. All aspects of a person’s physiology and unique health history are investigated to uncover the root causes of imbalance. The goal is to assist the body’s innate healing capacity to restore natural homeostasis and well-being.

What to Expect:

Prior to the first visit, each patient will complete an extensive medical health questionnaire. From there, Functional lab panels may be carefully selected to look at biomarkers targeted to further uncover the origins of mineral deficiencies (HTMA: hair tissue mineral analysis), hormonal imbalances including cortisol (DUTCH), environmental/chemical toxicity levels, mycotoxins, organic acids and neurotransmitter balance, food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis and parasites, hidden infections, a person’s unique genetic makeup, general organ functionality, brain health and communication pathways.

Many patients start with a Comprehensive Functional Medicine Blood Chemistry and Urinalysis panel which looks at 95+ biomarkers. The precision and breadth of this kind of lab work is at the heart of Functional Medicine, and its accurate interpretation relies on having a Practitioner who truly understands how these biomarkers seesaw with one another in functional relationships and the patterns that ensue, and how to overlay that onto presenting symptomatology.

Lab panels offered:

• Functional Blood Chemistry and Urinalysis (95+ biomarkers as a baseline, adapted for your specific needs)
• DUTCH hormonal, cortisol, and organic acids testing (a keystone panel for those working on their hormones, fertility, and perimenopause/menopause)
• Food Allergies, and Sensitivities, Gluten, Additives, etc.
• GI Map stool testing for commensal and pathogenic microbial balance, digestion, and key inflammation markers
• Organic Acids and Neurotransmitter testing
• Tickborne Infections/Coinfections/Viral Burden/CIRS
• HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis)
• Environmental Toxins/Mycotoxins/Heavy Metals/Pesticides
• Genetic Testing (MTHFR/COMT/HLA-DR etc.)
• MARCoNS
• DNA Connexions Oral Microbiome/Pathogenic Burden

Next, a highly individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient using physician grade nutraceuticals, Traditional Chinese Medicine, dietary shifts, nervous system regulation and lifestyle modifications. Typically, this treatment plan will have multiple stages, and be adapted according to progress.

Functional Medicine empowers you as the patient to take full ownership and action towards your healing. Your success is determined by your own commitment to yourself and how ready you are to make changes in your life. This is a contrast for people who are used to medicine being a passive process.

Prevention, screening for potential red flags, and long-term wellness is prioritized, rather than a reactive/disease-centered approach which we often see in conventional medicine.

Functional Medicine is an offering for someone who:

• Has not gotten clear answers from conventional medicine.
• Wishes to do a deeper dive into the root causes of their health.
• Is ready to actively participate in their healing.
• Seeks to use preventative medicine to catch potential patterns earlier when they are easier to correct.
• Wishes to optimize their life.

Functional Medicine offered at Dr. Geralyn Kruger Acupuncture and Wellness is particularly unique in that we combine the intuitive ancient eastern wisdom of acupuncture and TCM Theory and offer Board Certified Chinese Herbalism to all patients who it will best serve. Many of our patients are encouraged to get acupuncture, as acupuncture is one of the best ways to help the body to make its own medicine and bring balance to the mind, body, and spirit. We only use physician-grade nutraceuticals and organic/wild crafted traditional herbalism harvested in traditional Pao Zhi style to ensure quality, efficacy, and purity.

Telemedicine Consultations are available.

Are you ready for a whole new chapter?

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Chinese Herbal Medicine:

Dr. Geralyn Kruger, DACM is Nationally Board Certified in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine Recommendations are based upon a patient's health priorities and individual constitution. This potent medicine is thousands of years old and very safe when practiced by a board certified herbalist. The goal is to assist and amplify the body's innate ability to heal itself.

Telemedicine Consultations and Follow Ups are Available. 

Schedule a Chinese Herbal Medicine Consultation

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture:

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a safe, non-surgical method of revitalizing the look and feel of your face. As a truly holistic therapy, beauty and anti-aging is achieved from the inside out. The benefits of Facial Rejuvenation treatments versus botox and other surgical methods are numerous - there is less risk and trauma to the face, the effects are longer lasting, and treatment is less costly. 

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture uses delicate, hair-thin needles on acupuncture points throughout the neck and face as well as the body. Facial Cupping, Facial Massage and Micro Dermal Rolling Therapy and Aromatherapy are added to enhance results. 

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture:

• Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
• Lifts and tones the skin
• Tightens pores
• Brightens eyes
• Reduces emotional facial tension from stress
• Reduces jaw clenching and pain
• Reduces or eliminates acne, blemishes and age spots
• Reverses sun damage
• Increases local blood flow and lymph circulation
• Increases the collagen and elastin production that fills out and contours the face
• Revives drooping eyelids
• Improves the tone and texture of the skin to reduce or eliminate sagging
• Helps reduce double chin and lift drooping eyelids
• Minimizes puffiness and bags around the eyes
• Moisturizes the skin from within
• Improves facial coloring and provides more radiance and glow to the skin
• Reduces stress and promotes health and well-being
• Slows down further aging degeneration
• Effects can last for many years, with regularly scheduled maintenance treatments
• Preventative anti-againg treatments can start as early as in one's 20s and 30s
• Restore overall vitality and youth to the whole body

Besides improving the body’s natural energy flow and vitality, the medical reasoning behind facial acupuncture is sound. The tiny, almost imperceptible micro-trauma triggers the body’s natural immune system, increasing blood flow locally, lymphatic drainage, and a biochemical response leading to increased collagen production to local areas that were needled on the face. Other points affect hormones and the overall balance of the individual.

Each treatment lasts approximately 60 minutes. The Initial Consultation and first treatment is $185 and the cost of each follow up session is $165. There will be a thorough evaluation during our first meeting to determine if Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is appropriate. On average, sessions are given in a 12-18 initial treatment series which is either done weekly or bi-weekly. Maintenance sessions are scheduled according to each person's individual needs after the initial series is complete. While you may likely see a change as early as the first few sessions, it is important to stick to the initial treatment schedule because each treatment builds on the one prior, and the most optimal results are cumulative.

Dr. Geralyn Kruger is fully certified to practice Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. She has taken the complete training for Facial Rejuvenation from both Mary Elizabeth Wakefield as well as Michelle Gellis (two of only a handful of people in the United States licensed to teach and certify Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture).

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Moxibustion:

Moxibustion involves the heating of acupuncture points with smoldering mugwort/artemisia herb (known as Moxa). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, moxibustion stimulates circulation, counteracts cold and dampness in the body, and promotes the smooth flow of blood and qi. This safe, non-invasive technique may be used alone, but it is generally used in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. Japanese Acupuncture style also uses many different forms of therapeutic moxibustion technique. Moxa feels wonderful! Patients report warmth, greater range of motion, comfort, and pain reduction in areas of the body where moxibustion is applied long after their treatment has concluded.

Cupping:

Cupping is an ancient technique, used in many cultures, in which a special cup is applied to the skin and held in place by suction. The suction draws superficial tissue into the cup, which may either be left in place or moved along the body. Cupping brings fresh blood to the area and helps improve circulation. Cupping in Traditional Chinese Medicine, sometimes referred to as “fire cupping," uses heat to create a vacuum-like suction inside of glass cups. In modern times, cups that use a small pump to create suction have also been introduced. Cupping is used in both Chinese Acupuncture and Japanese Acupuncture styles and feels great! 

Auricular Acupuncture:

The ear is one of the most widely used microsystems of acupuncture. Microsystems use one aspect of the body - for example, the ears, hands or feet - to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body. The the ear is in fact a miniature copy of the entire human organism, and is used for diagnosing and treating pain or illness in any part of the human body. Auricular acupuncture is an integral element of quite a few detox programs throughout the country. Although it is not a substitution for any program, it has helped many people fight, and decrease, cravings and severe depression, crippling anxiety, weight-loss, PTSD, or stresses related to the withdrawal symptoms associated with any withdrawal from addiction. Many people claim immediate calming sensations and regular patterns of sleeping that were previously missing. Auricular acupuncture is used on most patients during their sessions. Pressballs/earseeds can be applied after a session to go home with. These are used in between treatments to provide continuous stimulation of the points and offer patients added support. 

Shakuju Therapy:

Shakuju Therapy is a Japanese non-insertion technique. In Shakuju Therapy, the ultimate origin of all illness is explained by fundamental cold (Hie). Treatment consists of moving qi in the body and eradicating fundamental cold (Hie). In general, the Japanese word, hie, means coldness and cold temperature, but fundamental cold (Hie) in this context, means a decline of the body’s vital force and vacuity of Jing qi, or essence, which declines over time due to external factors of the environment, pathological factors such as disease or stress, and our choices about diet, exercise and rest. The abdominal and dorsal regions are emphasized in this therapy and a small blunt metallic or crystalline instrument called a Teishin is used on the surface of the skin without penetration rather than the traditional acupuncture needle. Shakuju Therapy feels great and is highly effective. I often use Shakuju for pediatric patients and those who are especially frail or needle sensitive, but anyone can benefit from a Shakuju Therapy treatment and together we may discuss how Shakuju can achieve your health goals. 

Kinesiology Sports Taping:

First used by acupuncturists and chiropractors in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by practitioners throughout the world to treat injuries and improve sports performance. This stretchy tape is 97% cotton and 3% nylon. The adhesive is a hypo-allergenic, acrylic-based and contains no latex.

Kinesiology taping has been shown to:

• Reduce pain
• Decompress and area of swelling/inflammation
• Delay fatigue during athletic activity
• Normalize and improve muscle tone from one area of the body to another
• Distributes physical forces evenly to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.
• Augment and Disperse Energy along the acupuncture meridians

Telemedicine is offered for:

• Chinese Herbal Medicine Consultations and Follow Ups
• Functional Medicine Consultations and Follow Ups