Heidi's Acupuncture Therapy Clinic

A Traditional Chinese Diagnosis
(what to expect on the first visit)

An initial visit with Heidi Lihe Xu begins with a case history that is promptly followed by a detailed discussion thereby establishing what is called a "pattern of disharmony". In Chinese medicine, a diagnosis is not only determined by one’s symptoms and vital signs, but also includes four diagnostic methods that have found extinction in western medical practices:

LOOKING

The practitioner takes all aspects of the physical appearance, emotional state, and tongue color into account.

TOUCHING

An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine’s diagnosis is the pulse taken at three points on each wrist.

SMELL & HEARING

Odors of the body and mouth are noted as well as the sounds generated from the chest and nose.

QUESTIONING

The artful detection of the pulse points is necessary in order to determine which organ systems are contributing to the condition of the patient.

The information revealed by each of these diagnostic areas is then synthesized into a comprehensive picture that enables the practitioner to discern which channels and organ systems are in disharmony.

Once Heidi has formulated her diagnosis and has a treatment strategy in mind she explains the nature of the problem and the subsequent treatment course with the patient. Depending upon the nature of the disharmony Heidi will implement all or part of the following treatment strategies: acupuncture, electro-acupuncture (needle-free), heat lamp, biologically safe laser, Tui Na (Chinese body work), auricular acupuncture, and Chinese herbal therapy.