Diagnosis

Diagnosis is assessed from the complexities of the pulse, by observing the tongue, and from a detailed patient history including present and past complaints, emotional life, work and home environment, habits and cravings.

Treatment

Depending on the nature and severity of the complaint or imbalance will determine the duration of the treatment. Acupuncture utilizes ultra thin sterile stainless steel needles which move “qi” energy from the outside to the inside. During an acupuncture session, needles are usually left in for 20-40 minutes. A typical response is a feeling of deep relaxation and an elevation of spirit. Often patients feel an immediate improvement whether it be a sense of clarity, increased energy or pain relief. Because Chinese Medicine reaches many levels, it treats body mind and spirit.

Herbal Remedies

Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine differs from Western drugs in that they treat the underlying condition of the patient without causing side effects. often formulas are created tailored to each unique person’s complaint.

Some of the many conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate are listed by the World Health Organization:

INFECTIONS
colds and flu
bronchitis
hepatitis

INTERNAL
hypoglycemia
asthma
high blood pressure
ulcers
colitis
indigestion
hemorrhoids
diarrhea
constipation
diabetes

DERMATOLOGICAL
eczema
acne
herpes

MUSCULO-SKELETAL and NEUROLOGIC
arthritis
neuralgia
sciatica
back pain
bursitis
tendonitis
stiff neck
Bell’s palsy
trigeminal neuralgia
headache
stroke
cerebral palsy
polio
sprains

MENTAL-EMOTIONAL
anxiety
depression
stress
insomnia

GENITO-URINARY and REPRODUCTIVE
impotence
infertility
pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
vaginitis
irregular period or cramps
morning sickness

EYES-EARS-NOSE-THROAT
deafness
ringing in the ears
earaches
poor eyesight
dizziness
sinus infection
sore throat
hay fever

Jennifer Monin-Caiazzo

Jennifer is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and massage therapist. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley, Jennifer received a Masters of Science degree in Traditional Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. She has been a practicing Western herbalist for 10 years. She has had specialized training in acupuncture for substance abuse from Lincoln Hospital in New York, for cancer support at Inor Hospital in Havana, Cuba, and for facial rejuvenation in Los Angeles with Virginia Doran.

In addition to working in several community clinics, Jennifer has been in private practice in Mill Valley at Jane Bick Tang’s former practice and in Stinson Beach at the Wellspring Center for Healing. She is currently an acupuncturist for women with cancer at the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic in Oakland. Jennifer specializes in treating gynecological issues, including fertility, pregnancy, post-partum support and menopause. She has completed extensive training with midwife Raven Lang in Santa Cruz. Jennifer is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor through Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in New York. She and her husband Christian live in Point Reyes with their baby daughter Hopi Rose.