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Acupuncture by Angela

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the journey to a healthy. whole. real. you. begins here...

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Oakbay Chiropractic: 510-654-8547 serving Oakland and the East Bay

Crystal Springs Chiropractic: 650-574-1456 serving San Mateo and the Peninsula

Mission

With my care, compassion, and commitment, it is my mission to provide my patients with individually tailored treatments that are patient-focused, which I believe are lacking in today's health care system. I believe that by embodying and advocating a patient-practitioner relationship based on honesty, trust, and mutual respect we will be able to achieve your goal.

By collaborating Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities and Western Medicine knowledge, my acupuncture treatments emphasize and accentuate the body's natural ability to heal itself, and by recognizing the body as a whole: treating the mind, body and spirit.

With the knowledge and expertise I have gained through clinical work, my priority is you, the patient. I look forward to assisting you on your journey to natural healing and health!

Angela Galatierra-Ganding L.Ac.

About Me

My name is Angela Galatierra-Ganding, and I am a California State Board Licensed Acupuncturist. I graduated from the University of Winnipeg, in Canada, with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Chemistry. I have always had a passion to work in the healthcare field, and to follow this dream, I decided to move to California to pursue graduate studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I obtained my Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley.

Working one on one with patients, I have treated cases involving pain management, digestive issues, immune system disorders, asthma, high blood pressure, insomnia, migraines, and depression to name a few. I have worked in many types of clinical settings, such as a community style acupuncture model, which advocates affordability and accessibility to its patients, by giving treatments in a group setting working with several other practitioners. I worked at the University of California Berkeley Sports Center, where I treated student athletes with various sports related injuries. I also had the opportunity to work at the Homeless Prenatal clinic in San Francisco, treating women's health issues, such as PMS and irregular menstruation, and also pregnancy related issues such as pelvic/back pain, malposition of the fetus (breech), induce labor, as well as treat post partum conditions such as mastitis, edema, and depression.

I believe that all of these experiences have brought me to the well rounded practitioner I am today, and am excited to continue to share this fascinating medicine through my experiences with you!

Methods

Cupping Therapy

Acupuncture

Electrical Stimulation

Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture is a form of Asian Medicine that has been around for over 2000 years. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the body has a system of meridians (channels) where qi (energy, pronounced 'chee') and blood flow smoothly, working together as an integrated system. When qi and blood are flowing harmoniously and free of any obstructions, the body is working at its fullest potential and the body is in balance, free of any illness, abnormal symptoms, or pain. Balance is the ultimate goal of TCM. However, if there is an obstruction in the natural flow, qi and blood cannot flow smoothly, leading to an imbalance which can manifest as pain or illness. Acupuncture involves using fine needles to stimulate the points of the meridians which have specific functions. It seeks to normalize functions of the body that appear to be out of balance and restore the body's smooth flow of qi and blood. The scope of acupuncture also includes cupping therapy, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine. The beauty of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that each treatment is tailored to the individual, focusing on the person as a whole, treating the root cause of the problem, not just relieving the symptoms.
Cupping is another modality of Chinese Medicine which uses glass jars to create a vacuum/suction on certain parts of the body. When qi and blood become stagnated (stuck) and are not flowing smoothly, a blockage in the flow of qi and blood occurs, and one will feel pain. Cupping breaks up the stagnation, brings new blood to the area to nourish the muscles that have been deprived, allowing for the free flow of qi and blood. It has been indicated for lung disease such as cough and asthma or common cold, diminishes swellings, reduces pain of the low back and shoulders, arthritis, headaches, certain gastrointestinal disorders and also hypertension. The practitioner will determine if cupping therapy is appropriate for your condition, alongside any other treatment modalities that may be used.
Electrical stimulation, also known as E-Stim is a method in which the needles are connected to a machine which sends microcurrents to the areas that need extra stimulation. By doing so, more qi and blood are brought to the area, to nourish and unblock areas of the body which have become deprived of nourishment. This method is indicated for areas of pain, injury, or stubborn cases which need more stimulation from the needles. Because this method uses electrical currents, it is extremely important to notify your practitioner if you have any electrical implants such as a pacemaker, are taking any prescription medications, or have any other conditions which may be contraindicated for this method. Your practitioner will determine if it is the right course of treatment.
Chinese herbal medicine looks at the different properties of each herb, and applies TCM principles when comprising an herbal formula. Properties of herbs include temperature, flavor, direction in which the herb flows, quality, and the way it is processed. Each single herb plays an essential part in the overall composition of the formula. It is one of the most important and integral parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbal formulas may come in raw, pill, powder, or tincture form. Each formula is individually tailored to the patient, and the practitioner will decide if Chinese Herbal Medicine is an appropriate course of action. It is extremely important to notify your practitioner if you are taking any prescription medications, as there may be serious side effects when combining certain herbs with pharmaceuticals. Nutritional counseling is also an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, after all, diet and nutrition are instrumental to maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Just like the herbs, TCM looks at the same properties of foods. Adjusting your diet can sometimes be the only thing that needs to be done! Your practitioner will ask you about your eating habits and will be able to make any recommendations to help you along your journey to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What can acupuncture treat?The following is a list of health conditions commonly treated by acupuncturists:•allergies/asthma•anxiety/depression•arthritis/joint problems•back/knee/elbow/wrist/shoulder pain•bladder/kidney problems•constipation/diarrhea•colds/influenza•cough/bronchitis•dermatological conditions•dizziness•drug/alcohol/smoking cessation and addiction•fatigue•gastrointestinal disorders•gynecological disorders•headache/migraine•heart problems/palpitations•high blood pressure•immune system deficiency•menopausal discomfort•musculoskeletal injuries•pre-menstrual syndrome and menstrual irregularities•pregnancy and post partum related issues•paralysis/numbness•sciatica•sexual dysfunction•side effects of chemotherapy and radiation•sinusitis•stress/tension•stroke rehabilitation•tendonitisand much more. Please contact me if you have any questions about your condition if it is not listed, or visit www.who.int or www.nih.gov.Will it hurt?The needles used are very fine and thin. Practitioners are trained in painless needle insertion, and the desired sensation you will feel can be either a dull, heavy, distended, or even numb feeling at the site of insertion. When this is achieved, it is an indication to the practitioner the needle has come in contact with the body's natural energy source (qi).Is it safe?It is California State Law that all needles to be used during treatment are pre-packaged, labelled for single use only and meet the requirements of federal regulations. After use, they are disposed in accordance with state and local law. Licensed Acupuncturists are fully trained in Clean Needle Technique to insure safety to patients. It is important to notify your practitioner if you have any other medical conditions, or have any electrical devices implanted as there can be serious side effects if certain modalities are employed during treatment.What can I expect?Because Asian medicine looks at the body as a whole, treating the mind, body, and spirit, the practitioner will do a thorough intake, asking questions that may not be related to what you came in for. This gives the practitioner a well rounded picture of the case which will be used to come up with a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan. By doing so, the practitioner will be able to treat the root cause of the disease, and also relieve the symptoms you are feeling. Once this is achieved, the practitioner will explain to you the diagnosis, what kinds of therapy will be used, etc. The intake alone can take up to 30min to an hour, depending on the complexity of the case. After the intake, the practitioner will insert the needles, and let you relax for 20-45 min, and will perform any other modalities depending on your case. How many times will it take to treat my condition?It is difficult to say how many treatments it will take to relieve symptoms, but most people respond favorably after one or two treatments. Since everybody is so different and responds differently to treatments, some may take only one treatment, while others may take more than a couple of treatments. The severity of the case is also a significant factor. Your practitioner will discuss the prognosis with you at the time of your appointment, and will monitor your progress with simple diagnostic tools such as tongue and pulse readings at every appointment.What should I bring?It is extremely important that you have eaten before the treatment, and have had adequate rest. Make sure you notify your practitioner if you have a bleeding disorder or on blood thinning medications, have a pacemaker, or if you are pregnant. Please wear comfortable clothes, but gowns and drapes are provided if necessary. For more questions, please visit:http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/
Testimonials Angela is honestly the best acupuncturist I have had. I had been a patient at AIMC for many years and had many students, all of whom were very good, until I met Angela- she's better than good, so much so that I became a regular patient of hers after graduation. She has helped me with neck issues, kinks, shin splints, tension, stomach issues, etc. I also like to get acupuncture for relaxation and she's a pro at that too. She has this way of knowing exactly how to pin point where the issue is and then of course getting rid of it. I have never had a better experience or felt better than after leaving a session with Angela. Seriously. I rave about her whenever I can because she's amazing! -Monique P.Angela is my miracle worker. I started seeing Angela when I was pregnant with my second child. My son was in breech position and was given an option to have a medical procedure done that I was quite apprehensive about. To my surprise, Angela told me of an acupuncture technique that could help turn the baby naturally. After a few sessions with Angela, my baby made a full turn and I was able to deliver naturally! Angela also helped me with many postpartum issues such as: edema, skin rashes, insufficient lactation, and regaining my strength and energy. I see Angela regularly for stress and pain management, and I always seek her advice on nutrition to increase energy and vitality. I recommend her in the highest regard. She does it all! -Aileen G. C.I admire the sparkle and strength I see in Angela's eyes. As well as the gentle compassion...marvellous traits in a healer. I can not say enough, it is an experience you will want to relive over and over again.-AnonymousI spent many years adjusting my diet, slathering every possible cream and taking countless nutritional supplements – only to lose an endless battle with Eczema flare-ups on my face. I made the choice to see Angela, and in a couple of acupuncture treatments my symptoms slowly diminished. She carries a natural calming ability; she makes you feel at ease in her presence and welcomes your body to begin healing. It is truly an amazing and unexplainable experience that must be experienced first-hand! Not only did she relieve my symptoms, she taught me to be mindful of the body, mind and spirit; and to recognize what my body may be trying to tell me. Being aware of my own energy combined with Angela’'s herbal counseling and acupuncture treatments has allowed me to live Eczema free! I am still on my journey to natural healing (and trying to learn to love my liver, as Angela would advise =) ). I know with Angela’'s knowledge, guidance, ability to truly listen and warm heart, I am on the right path. -Sheri C.I have been seeing Angela for the past 2 plus years for a variety of ailments including mental and physical fatigue, hernia, hay fever, common cold, shoulder pain, stress, and anxiety. During this period, Angela has helped me gain and continues to help me gain a growing understanding of the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in general, slowly moving me away from conventional western medicine. Through her consultation, I find it empowering to know that I do not need to rely on pills, chemicals, and quick fixes. Rather, Angela has helped me to recognize that my body has its own healing powers through her treatments. It is a matter of stimulating those powers, and having the patience to let those powers take their course. As a working professional, I need my body and mind to be functioning at a high level at all times, and Angela has helped me maintain that high level and deal with the anxiety and stress that come with playing those roles. I highly recommend Angela as she is caring, listens to you, and truly cares about your overall well-being. -Anthony G. Angela is my angel. I mean it. I had been suffering from chronic pain caused by a car accident for years. Multiple injuries combined with thoracic outlet syndrome, repetitive stress injury, generally hectic lifestyle, I had it all. And then Angela started treating me. She is observant, calm, gentle, knows how to calm down my body and mind, and has an overall positive attitude and energy. She listens to my needs and tailors her treatments accordingly. I have been to lots of acupuncturists, and although they would bring me a temporary remedy, with Angela I started seeing actual improvements. Besides great acupuncture treatments, she also recommended some herbal formulas to me that got my circulation going, something western meds and other remedies have not done my whole life! I sincerely recommend trying out her treatments, as I believe you will feel and see great improvements, just like I did!-Jelena S.

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