That's a good question. And I understand why it may not be clear. While I'm a licensed primary care provider in the state of Florida and Colorado, I have made it my primary responsibility to be a teacher, educator, coach, or whatever title is appropriate for someone who guides his patients in a path that leads to well being.

So if pain is the reason for your visit, yes, I will treat the pain with the tools available to me such as acupuncture, massage, cupping, electrical stimulation, etc., etc.,.

Or if your visit is for a condition of a metabolic nature such as digestion, fatigue, autoimmunity, and the like, then I will address these conditions from a physiology based medicine perspective. This approach is also called Functional Medicine. In such cases of internal medicine we will use herbal remedies and/or supplements along with nutritional guidance.

But let me ask you, what good is it to just treat a condition without also educating our patients in lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, stress management, meditation and other methods to stay in a relative healthy state? Or in the treatment of pain, how long will the therapies last if we don't teach about proper body alignments, work ergonomics, proper exercise methods and so on? This is really my work - to provide the tools for self-care.

If I only treat conditions without teaching prevention, then the only good is that the patient keeps coming back over and over again with out of pocket expenses. Or goes to another practitioner and repeats the cycle. I hope this clarifies my work better.

Another excellent question. The short answer is yes and no. If you have come to point in your life where you have had enough of being on the medical conveyor belts, seeing multiple practitioner per month, and in many cases, per week; tired of hearing your labs are all "normal" and yet you do not feel better, then yes, we may very well be a good match.

But, there's a catch: in order for my work to be effective, we must work together. In other words, it is a mutual effort that will yield the best results. A partnership, if you will. I have no "magic bullet". Some secrete little technique from ancient China or ritual from some shaman. Nope. In fact, most of the work will be done by you! You take charge of your own health and well-being. I am here to help; to guide you; to nudge the body in the right direction. But you, you do the work. If you can't envision this mutual cooperation, then no - my practice is not for you.

On the other hand, if you are willing and ready to make the commitment, then welcome aboard. You have everything to gain, and an affliction to lose.  Call us today!

Not all condition we treat require lab testing. For example, you became injured while working out at the gym. Or low back pain after a long drive or working on the yard. Perhaps neck pain after an automobile accident. These conditions are the result of external trauma or often from poor posture. No lab testing is needed.

However, you are experiencing unexplained generalized body pain or aches, the joints in your body hurt and are swollen and warm or cold to the touch. Abdominal pain after dinner, swollen legs and ankles, and other conditions not related to trauma, then lab testing is necessary. Why?

Blood lab testing is the single most useful test available to us today. It is also the most widely used and for a good reason: the blood does not lie. It can tell us if there's overall inflammation, digestive deficiencies, endocrine abnormalities and much more. We have several articles on this site on blood chemistry analysis. This one for example.

We are able to use your labs taken no longer than 3 months. If there are not enough biomarkers tested, we will suggest additional testing that your doctor can order for you, or we invite you take advantage of our low cost comprehensive program.

There are cases where additional labs may be necessary. A urine lab known as Organic Acids Tests, or perhaps labs for food allergies or sensitivity. Hair analysis for heavy metals, or stool tests to see the condition of the colon bacteria. Some of our lab test are breath tests, used for digestive problems, or saliva tests for hormone analysis.

We are not quick to required all of these additional labs. We are conscientious of finances and lack of insurance coverage on most of these labs. But challenging conditions may require one or several of the above.

The Free 20 Minutes Discovery Call is a service I offer to prospective patients who are not sure if our practice will meet their needs. You may ask any question you like about our approach to health care. You may wish to know if we have experience with the type of condition for which you seek help. It is not a sells pitch. It is a way for us to introduce ourselves to each other - a meet-and-greet, if you will. It will also give us an opportunity to see if indeed we can be of help. There are conditions that do require the care of medical doctor or a specialist. Some conditions do require the use of prescription drugs which only your primary care provider or specialist can prescribe.

Its a good way to find out if can work together. Give it a try. Call us today!

Before your first visit, I would already have reviewed your online intake forms. However, I always want to hear from the patient the reason for seeing me. Tone of voice, mannerism, posture and so much more can be gleaned by just listening and watching the patient. These are clues that cannot be seen during the free phone Discovery Call.

Depending on the reason for your visit, I will ask questions pertinent to the main complaint. Often I ask questions that may not at first seem related to the reason for your visit. I assure you that all questioning will be in an effort to get to the root of the problem.

During this first visit we will discuss various treatment options that may include acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, dietary considerations. I may request additional lab work up and establish a working schedule for follow up visits as necessary.

This will also be the time in which you receive your first treatment session that may include acupuncture, body work, and other modalities. Total time would be between 60 to 90 minutes. Follow up visits will be between 30 to 45 minutes depending on progress.

Currently we are not in any insurance program's network. So, no, we do not bill insurance companies. However, we will try our best to help you get reimbursed by your insurance provider. We offer a Superbill which contains the codes required for reimbursement should your insurance company cover our services under your policy.

Good question. The answer is no. I am not a medical doctor. I am an acupuncture physician, a Chinese medicine practitioner and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner.  While I am considered a primary care providers according to Chapter 457 of the Florida Statutes under Definitions 457.102 "(2) "Acupuncturist” means any person licensed as provided in this chapter to practice acupuncture as a primary health care provider.".((http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0457/0457.html)) I choose to work with your primary physician and strongly encourage you to inform him or her of our working relationship. You should always ask your doctor if my recommendations are good for you and I strongly encourage you to search on Google everything I say or suggest. I am a guide, a coach, and a partner in your efforts to get well. Not a replacement for your doctor.