Chinese Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine

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The "herbs" you'll find at Confluence are special.  During your appointment with Kjell, you will receive a formula based on your pulse, needs, and the wisdom of centuries of Chinese Medicine.  

Kjell is an instructor at the Institute of Classics of East Asian Medicine (ICEAM) and has gone through extensive training with Arnaud Versluys, an internationally-renowned Chinese herbalist in order to learn a very specific system of diagnosis and healing. This training enables him to treat a wide variety of diseases and difficult to treat symptoms very effectively.  It is not uncommon for patients to experience relief for something that has plagued them for years in just a few days, weeks, or months.

Chinese herbal medicine is a system that relies on combining single herbs in a harmonious and synergistic way to create herbal formulas, in some ways similar to modern prescriptions.  The strength of this science is evidenced by the fact that formulas in use thousands of years ago are still relevant and effective today. 

Acupuncture

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Although it can seem like it, Acupuncture is not a miracle cure.  Instead, it is an incredibly effective way of treating the body and mind.  Very few people who try acupuncture don't see results, and the majority see very good results.

The classical Chinese medicine texts often refer to the meridians of the body as rivers and streams.  This metaphor speaks to the complex, interconnected nature of the meridian system.  The vital energy (“qi”) running through this system is what acupuncturists access to have profound affects on multiple levels of the human being.  Whether an imbalance lies at the level of bone, muscle or sinew tissue, at the level of the organ systems, or at the more subtle levels of thought and emotion, acupuncture can be of benefit. Come give it a try!

Ancient Medicine in Modern Times

Chinese medicine is a system of medicine that has been in use for well over 3000 years.  It was largely realized through deep observation of the natural world.  As the movements and interrelationships within nature became realized so did these same movements and interrelationships within the human being.  Chinese medicine truly teaches us, as Chinese medicine practitioners, to understand the human being as an interconnected whole.

Through the lens of Chinese medicine it is possible to understand how seemingly separate aspects of the human being relate.  It is also possible to understand how seemingly separate symptoms are part of the same disharmony.  Chinese medicine enables us to not merely stop at symptom management, but to begin to understand why it is that such symptoms are present.

And perhaps most importantly, Chinese Medicine as practiced at Confluence offers hope where there was none and solutions where there used to be only roadblocks.  Our medicine is effective, grounded, compassionate, and humane.  We hope to see you soon!