Linda Ketcham
Board Certified Acupuncturist
Masters Oriental Medicine
National Diplomate Acupuncture

ORIENTAL MEDICINE

During my  years of practicing Oriental Medicine it has been my intention to bring my clients health care which emphasizes the health of the whole person. I’m interested in treating not only the symptoms but also the root of the problem by working with and encouraging the body’s innate ability to constantly search for a physical as well as emotional balance. Whenever possible, I stress the understanding of nutrition and the use of herbs instead of drugs as medication. I also support and encourage a client’s wish to become involved with their own preventive health care.

Oriental Medicine is a complete, holistic approach to treating and preventing illness. It is a medical approach which was developed through detailed observation of the human body, mind, and spirit and their relationships to each other. Oriental healing arts have been shown to remedy ailments, alter states of mind, enhance recuperative power and strengthen immunity.

Oriental Medicine theory is based on the idea that if the body, mind and or sprit are "out of balance" "dis-ease" is often the result.

Diagnosis and treatments are based on the concept that energy or "qi" flows through the body along specific pathways or meridians. When this energy is disrupted by physical trauma, emotional stress, tension, poor eating habits or adverse environmental conditions, we often see pain, fatigue, or another pathology develop.

I usually set aside about one and a half hours for your first visit. I want to get to know you! When you arrive I will ask you to complete an extensive health history questionnaire. I am interested in your primary complaint as well as related health issues. After completing the questionnaire we will sit down together to discuss your health challenges and health goals. As soon as you walk into the clinic, my diagnosis begins since observation is an important diagnostic tool in Oriental Medicine. I will also look at your tongue. Observation of the tongue tells me about many internal conditions of the body. I will check your pulse, Oriental Medicine style. Pulse diagnosis tells me about the imbalances in the meridian system. Palpation is also important. For example, if you come in with chronic foot pain, I need to palpate your foot to locate the pain.

As we work together, I will develop a working diagnosis and will discuss a suggested treatment plan with you.

A treatment plan may include:

Magnetic Therapy

Treatments last 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the nature of the problem, its severity, and how long it has been going on.

Oriental Medicine is effective in treating many ailments, several of which have been recognized by the World Health Organization. I will mention a few here. It is best to come in and be evaluated.

In Children:

Chinese herbology can trace its origin back to 3500 BC! Herbs are real medicine. They have the power to support your treatment by restoring balance to the channels, organ systems and essential substances.

The hit and miss use of herbs is not effective. Used correctly, herbal formulas provide effective and balanced medical therapy without dramatic, toxic effects.

California does not license herbalists. California does however, require extensive herbals study in order to take the California acupuncture exam.

I feel that my generation of practitioners needs to educate the public as well as other professionals regarding the scope of what oriental medicine treats. I believe it is an exciting time where the best of eastern and western medicine can come together so that one does not need to exclude the other and patients may utilize the best of both. For example, oriental medicine treatments can help reduce the discomfort associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

In California, in order to practice Oriental Medicine, you must be a licensed acupuncturist. An aspiring acupuncturist must complete over 3000 hours of postgraduate classes leading to a Masters in Oriental Medicine. Classes include Eastern as well as Western Bio-medicine as well as two years of supervised clinical practice before being allowed to graduate and take the California licensing exams. Classes required include anatomy, biochemistry, biology, orthopedic and neurological evaluation, physical exam, clinical counseling, tai chi, qi gong, pharmacology, nutrition (eastern and western), oriental medicine, herbology, diagnosis and evaluation, and massage.

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