The healing art of acupuncture is something that is near to me. As a patient of Dr. Mao in Santa Monica, this ancient Chinese method is an excellent source of physical and spiritual therapy. Dr. Mao offers great advice on everything related to health and nutrition. If you have ever wondered about the benefits of acupuncture, I highly recommend it. Dr. Mao’s practice also offers a plethora of other healing remedies and information from acupuncture and herbal medicine to nutritional counseling and detoxification.
Read more about the mission of Dr. Mao and his staff of doctors at Tao of Wellness:
Our mission at Tao of Wellness is to provide you with a complete system of healing modalities to enhance your health restoration and rejuvenation. We offer acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, bodywork, InfiniChi energy healing, qigong training, and personalized detoxification or fertility retreats.
ACUPUNCTURE
The ancient Chinese believed in universal life energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) that circulates throughout every living being along pathways in the body. Health was maintained if this energy flowed freely. Pain and disease occur when these pathways are blocked and the Qi no longer flows well. Imagine body fluids stagnating like a swamp or the nervous system having a short-circuit midstream. Acupuncture is the placement of fine needles along these pathways, stimulating a focused response from the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, hormonal, and immune systems, restoring Qi movement, and bringing harmony back to the body.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Chinese herbs have unique properties and functions that send specific messages to the organ systems. This reprograms their function and restores balance to the body. Herbal medicine works very well in conjunction with acupuncture and gives the patient the opportunity to extend their healing session at home when between acupuncture treatments. Once a diagnosis is made a personalized formula is constructed from the thousands of classic herbal combinations. The most potent and traditional way to take herbal medicine is to cook a customized raw herbal formula much like you would a soup. Another popular format is a customized herbal powder that’s made instantly by mixing with water.
NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING
Nutritional knowledge in Chinese medicine has a long history and includes the healing properties of many individual foods. Before a consultation, you’ll want to start by keeping a food journal for a couple of weeks. You’ll record what you eat and when. Also commenting on exercise, sleep, and your daily level of energy will inform your nutritionist how your life and food are affecting one another. Your Chinese nutritional education will not only be about how to eat healthily but what’s best to include and avoid to meet specific healing goals. You’ll get custom eating plans, with menus, food preparation, and places to find healthy food. Let us know if you’re interested in our weight loss, detoxification, or fertility eating plans.
BODY WORK
Body Work is the 4th pillar within the tradition of Chinese Medicine besides acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition. We call it Tuina (tway-nah), which means “push, pull.” Bodywork involves working with muscles and joints to help improve circulation, eliminate toxins, relax and recondition muscles, increase joint lubrication and motion, and release tension and stress. It is a combination of acupressure and many other techniques that work with the same channels and theories used in acupuncture. We have bodywork protocols specific for detoxification and fertility. People also use bodywork for arthritis, stress, pain, weakness, weight management, and disease prevention.
INFINICHI
Medical energy healing, which we call InfiniChi, has been studied for 5,000 years in China. It serves as the energetic foundation for all modalities of Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tuina (bodywork). The power of the body’s healing systems is accessed by a transfer of energy. This is often done with an acupuncture needle, food, or an herb. InfiniChi focuses solely on that transfer of energy without the use of a physical medium. It is a non-touch therapy where a practitioner reads and manipulates the internal and external energies of a patient to bring about healing and balance. There may also be the use of light massage, acupressure or guided visualization to further direct the flow of energy. InfiniChi works especially well for pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, headache, indigestion, irritable bowels, and pre-menstrual disorder.
QIGONG TRAINING
Qigong loosely translates to “energy work” or “energy discipline.” The most popular form is taichi but there are innumerable forms of this energy practice. Tao Of Wellness trains our patients in tai chi and chi gong to help with many conditions. It can help calm the nervous system, relieve stress and pain, enhance fertility, and improve mental focus. As well, taichi and qigong are the most popular ways to prevent disease and promote a balanced lifestyle. Tao of Wellness offers private training to learn a preset chigong form or to receive a tailor-made practice for a specific health concern. Qigong provides us with a way to rediscover ourselves and our boundless internal wisdom. Join us in a lesson and experience abundant energy, greater clarity, and a deeper sense of self.
DETOXIFICATION RETREAT
In response to our wildly successful group retreats our detox retreat is now available a la carte. In response to toxin exposure in our food and environment, the doctors of Tao Of Wellness have constructed a comprehensive detoxification protocol aimed at improving the immune system’s function while gently cleansing the liver, kidneys, and bowels. The protocol utilizes acupuncture, cupping, bodywork, far infrared sauna, herbal medicine, infinichi energy healing and dietary therapy. This personalized retreat will rejuvenate your body, clear your mind, and invigorate your energy, while promoting optimal weight and lustrous skin. Call our office at 310-917-2200 with any questions or to schedule your own retreat or inquire about our next group retreat.
FERTILITY RETREAT
Trying to get pregnant without success? Anxious about assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures? Been through several IVF (in-vitro fertilization) cycles with no results? Preparing you from conception and pregnancy to birth, this personalized retreat is designed to address your specific concerns. Based on Dr. Dao’s new book “Tao Of Fertility” you’ll receive a consultation with Dr. Dao, in addition to acupuncture, custom herbal medicine, infinichi energy healing, bodywork, qigong training, and far infrared sauna therapy.
Call our office at 310-917-2200 with any schedule your appointment, for questions or to schedule your own retreat.