Services

Return to Balance Acupuncture and Wellness offers a wide range of alternative therapies and services designed to support you in achieving and maintaining optimal health whether you choose to use alternative therapies exclusively or in conjunction with modern Western medicine.  Our services include:  acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, herbal therapy, dietary therapy, moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha and electrostimulation.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of many therapies Traditional Chinese Medicine has developed over the past 5,000 years.  Acupuncture works by inserting very thin, sterile (one time use,) needles into acupuncture points to build or move Qi, our life force energy.  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 360 acupuncture points on the body that are located on 12 meridians.  These meridians correspond to organ systems.  It is through these meridians that Qi flows.  A diagnosis is made by the acupuncturist after a review of the patient’s medical history, physical complaints, and practitioner evaluation.  Based on this diagnosis, points are selected.  Most people find acupuncture painless and very relaxing.  With some points, patients may feel the “Qi sensation.”  This feeling of pulsing or radiating means acupuncture is working!  Acupuncture helps your body to heal naturally, and there are no negative side effects--only benefits to your health and wellbeing!

Acupuncture commonly helps the following conditions:

Allergies and Sinus Trouble	Headaches
Arthritis	Insomnia
Bowel Movement Complaints	Menopause
Chronic Pain	Menstrual Problems
Common Colds	Premenstrual Sydrome
Digestive Troubles	Smoking Cessation
Facial Acupuncture	Stress and Emotional Issues
Fatigue	Urinary Disorders
Fibromyalgia	Weight Loss and Abdominal Tightening

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Lora Tod has successfully completed advanced training, has been carefully evaluated by the creator of the Mei Zen system and is now the only acupuncturist in Houston certified in the Mei Zen cosmetic acupuncture protocols for the face and neck.

Cosmetic acupuncture services include acupuncture facials and "tummy tucks" with the use of special protocols developed by the Mei Zen (beautiful person) acupuncture system.  These protocols are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theories and have very good results, similar to the effects of common facial injections and surgeries, and abdominal tightening procedures. 

Each protocol consists of two treatments a week for five weeks.  How do they work?

• By bringing more Qi and blood to the facial area, skin is softened, and more collagen and elastin are formed in the face, creating a more youthful appearance.  This is done safely because no substances are injected into the body.  As a result, the protocol does not include many of the side effects of common treatments. 

• The abdominal protocol strengthens the Qi in the abdominal region, helping patients loose significantly more weight and inches than dieting alone.  Patients will also feel an increase in energy and vitality after the abdominal protocol is complete.

Herbal Therapy

Chinese Herbal Therapy is recommended along with acupuncture whenever appropriate.  Chinese herbal formulas have been developed to treat specific conditions, and each formula is chosen after completing a full evaluation of the patient and a diagnosis is established.  Counteractions and contraindications with existing medications are considered.  Chinese herbs are not like medications that “cover up” your symptoms.  Like acupuncture, they actually change the physiology of your body.  Acupuncture and herbs are used together in a common treatment strategy to heal each patient.

Dietary Therapy

Dietary therapy can also be used in conjunction with acupuncture and herbs for faster results.  Foods have different energetic properties that can help to tonify organ systems, or build or move the Qi and blood.  In cooperation with the acupuncturist, a therapeutic dietary plan can be developed for you.

Moxibustion and Other Acupuncture Accessory Techniques

Many other acupuncture accessory techniques may also be used as part of the treatment to help in your healing process:

• Moxibustion is a technique used to proved greater warmth and tonification during the treatment process than generally happens with acupuncture alone.  It may be used with certain muscular skeletal conditions, or for someone who is easily cold.  Moxibustion is done by burning the herb mugwort close to an acupuncture point, thereby warming the point. 

• Cupping is a technique often used for muscular skeletal pain, especially of the back.  Cupping is usually performed after the acupuncture treatment.

• Gua Sha is another accessory technique, similar to cupping, which helps relieve muscle pain and tightness. It is also helpful for treating the common cold!

• Electrostimulation is used when necessary, especially for patients who have pain.  The electrostimulation machine attaches to the acupuncture needles.  This provides a constant stimulation of the needles and acupuncture points, enhancing relaxation of the muscles.