ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE
Our bodies are continually healing themselves, and sometimes they need additional help. Acupuncture and the use of Chinese Herbs help promote a continual state of healing and repair in our bodies. Acupuncture supports this movement and change by treating the natural rhythm of energy and blood flow. Given the proper support, the body is able to establish optimal health.
“I went to see Gwen for one issue and with her assistance was able to identify the root cause of my issues. With regular Acupuncture sessions and Chinese Herbs, I have an increased sense of vitality, feel more aware of my body, and with pulsing diagnosis and guidance I’ve become an active participant in improving my health.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
YOUR FIRST TREATMENT WILL INCLUDE:
Your Pulse Intake
A comprehensive 30 minute Pulse Assessment
This process gives detailed information regarding your nervous system and the current state and function of your organsAcupuncture Treatment/moxabustion therapy
Your treatment will be directed by your Pulse Assessment, as well as your presenting symptoms. Some acupuncture will be performed as well as a warming therapy called moxabustion which uses the plant mugwartMedical QiGong
A form of deeply calming and centering bodywork, that directly benefits all the internal organs, and can reduce pain profoundlyTreatment Strategy
You’ll discuss the next steps that will guide you to feeling better
PULSING
BODYWORK
Pulsing is a diagnostic technique used in traditional Chinese medicine. Pulse diagnosis is important because it can give very detailed information on the state of the internal organs, and all other parts of your body, as well as your emotional or “nervous system” state. The pulse examination involves the palpation of the pulse at your wrist. Through checking the pulse, we can feel the person’s level of health flowing through their blood stream. We can feel where there is vitality in the body, and where it might be lacking. Pulse diagnosis also allows us to assess your body’s constitution and help us understand the patterns causing imbalance.
How the pulse beats in each of us reveals the state of our tissues, our blood, the location of where stress and exhaustion land within us, and where they take their greatest toll. The pulse can shine a light of presence on our life’s stories, our mental habits, and our emotional energies, all stored within. How it beats, how it moves under listening finger tips… it all means something. It is guidance for us, as practitioners, so that we can provide the best care for each individual being. Dr. Leon Hammer says that to listen to another’s pulse, really listen, is a treatment of it’s own, and a great act of kindness.
Bodywork is also an integral part of the healing process. Manual therapies cover a wider region than a single needle does, and can reinforce the powerful effects of acupuncture.
Medical QiGong is a system of bodywork that is based on the same meridian system as acupuncture but involves touch in place of needles. It induces a state of relaxation that allows the body to gently unwind stuck areas, and has a calming and emotionally stabilizing effect on the nervous system. For many it can be a wonderful and powerful alternative to needles.
My experience is showing me that body work alone, or in conjunction with the needles, brings about profound and lasting changes.
SERVICES
Words of Wisdom from Gwen:
“I don’t think we really even know how well we could feel. We have become accustomed to a state of being in which our bodies are dense and burdensome. We seem to survive the day, instead of moving in ease, feeling lightness in our muscles, and spirit. How often do we even allow the imaginings of a life that is spontaneous and buoyant, living and breathing in a body that brings us peace, and acceptance…?
I do not feel, honestly, what I do, and the services I provide, will be a magic pill and hard symptoms will disappear. It doesn’t seem to work that way, unfortunately. We are all on a journey here, and our path can be strenuous, complicated, and filled with hurt, both in our fascia, and in our hearts. In a message of hope, however, I do know that we can live much fuller and happier lives than we do. I know that we can live in our bodies joyfully, with less caution and restriction. And I know that we can gracefully move into older years, and older bodies with less fear, and more richness and curiosity.
For this to happen, I work closely with my clients; we are on a journey together, to shift old embedded patterns that are a block to one’s healing and one’s deeper awareness of themselves.”
To encourage a state of wellness within each individual, I practice a combination of Japanese influenced acupuncture, moxabustion therapy, and medical QiGong.
Because acupuncture, bodywork, and herbs all unite to help facilitate the body’s ability to heal itself, there are many health concerns that can be treated with this medicine. For example, I frequently work with people experiencing:
Pain: acute and chronic
Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety and agitation
Sleep issues
Allergies
Frequent colds/flu
Urinary difficulties
Digestive issues, constipation & IBS, weight loss
Perimenopause and menopausal symptoms
Menstrual cycle issues
Autoimmune disease
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
Chinese herbs provide nourishment to our bodies, and support the body to heal itself. Similar to acupuncture, the beauty of herbal medicine is that the emphasis and direction of the formulas can be targeted to build up one’s reserves, move through stagnation, and/or bring calm to an anxious nervous system. When correctly prescribed, they can help restore our inner resources and clear away blockages in subtle and profound ways.
Taking Chinese herbs is one way that people can become more involved in their own healing process; it is a fantastic way to keep up the momentum of positive change between acupuncture sessions.
END OF LIFE CARE
Gwen uses acupuncture as a method of treatment to manage end of life care for those suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases.
There’s a natural rhythm to your body and blood flow when you feel well. When you’re suffering from cancer, chronic diseases or pain, your bodies’ rhythm is severely disrupted.
Pulse reading and acupuncture can help ease your tension, help the body relax and reduce anxiety and fear.
care with Gwen:
“Bette is 99 years old, and in hospice care. She is at the point where she is in and out of consciousness; the acupuncture treatments seem to help her drop into a deep rest so that the agitation that frequently accompanies the dying process, is decreased. It is lovely to spend time with her, and her family, during this process.
Yesterday, I was working with a man who is 47 years old, and dying from a painful, crippling disease. He was sharing with me how the acupuncture treatments seem to really be reducing the swelling and inflammation he feels in his arms and legs, He also shared that he feels thankful that he is able to take fuller breaths after the treatments.
His gratitude moved me deeply, as does this work.”
forms & payment
Forms for new patients:
If you have a scheduled appointment, please download the form, complete and print it out. Fill out relevant sections and bring the form with you to your first appointment.
DOWNLOAD .PDF FORM HERE:
INTAKE PAPERWORK
A “New Patient” visit is $140
Return (follow up) visits are $105.
Facial Acupuncture - $115
Acupuncture and medical QiGong- $120
The cost of personalized herbal formulas prepared for you will vary.
We accept Cash, Check or Credit Card payments at time of service.
We can provide a ‘superbill’ at end of treatment if you would like to submit and possible receive insurance reimbursement!
about gwen
Gwen LoVetere has been healing people through the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for over 3 decades in her private practice. Gwen is also a senior instructor in Contemporary Chinese pulse diagnosis, also known as the “Shen/Hammer Pulse System”, which informs her of the natural rhythm of energy and blood flow in the patients she works with. She has been a student of Dr. Leon Hammer M.D. since 2004. Gwen graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 1994, and was a faculty member and clinical supervisor at OCOM from 2006 to 2010. She is currently both a clinical supervisor and faculty member at the National University of Naturopathic Medicine. In 2010, Gwen completed a 3 year Chinese herbal mentorship with Heiner Fruehoff, Ph.D. and as a result, most of her patients use Chinese herbal formulas to help support their healing and overall feeling of well being. Gwen is also an employee of Providence Hospice, where she uses acupuncture as a method of treatment to manage end of life care. She has been working in Hospice care since 1994.
Connect with gwen on instagram
gwen lovotere Acupuncture
Sol Wellness
413 Mill Beach Road
Brookings, OR 97415
PHONE CALL OR TEXT
503-707-2064
EMAIL
gwen@gwenlovotereacupuncture.com