Our Services

• Traditional Family Medicine

• Well child exams
• Sport physicals
• Yearly Physicals
• Sick visits
• Nutritional, botanical, supplement recommendations
• Well Care

• Integrative Medicine Consultations

• Extensive medical history intake with therapeutic recommendations including:

Nutrition, Exercise, Life-style, Botanical, Supplements, Complimentary Medicine, and Mind-body-spirit.

• Osteopathic Manipulation

• Gentle physical treatment for a multitude of disorders including pain

• Medical Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?
Medical Acupuncture is a medical procedure practiced in China for the past 3000 years. It was first introduced in the USA during the 1970s. Since then it has gained more acceptance in the medical community as a valid treatment for numerous complaints, such as back pain, joint pain, post-chemotherapeutic nausea and vomiting, headaches, fibromyalgia and depression, just to name a few.  The Chinese use acupuncture as part of their Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM. TCM would include acupuncture and Chinese herbs to cure many diseases including diabetes, irritable bowel, common colds, bladder infections, and heart disease. The most important concept in TCM is the understanding of Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi can be translated to be the “vital energy” that flows throughout our bodies through channels called meridians. TCM practitioners believe that stuck Qi causes disease and pain. Therefore, the  purpose of  acupuncture is to restore the flow of Qi. This is accomplished by placing acupuncture needles in meridian points along the body. Sometimes, heat or an herb called Moxa is added to enhance the movement of Qi. Or an electrical stimulator can be used.

Who needs acupuncture?
Anyone desiring it!  From infants to adults, acupuncture can be helpful. Of course anyone not wanting acupuncture should not be forced to have it done.  Even patients who are taking blood thinners can receive acupuncture. But, precautions are recommended and close observation is required. In addition needles should never be placed in wounds. And caution is advised when treating pregnant women.

Does it hurt?
Most patients barely feel the needles being inserted. The needles are single use, and individually packaged to avoid possible infection. They are placed in various parts of the body, and typically only penetrate the skin about 1/4 th of an inch. Some deeper points are used for deep tissue pain such as sciatica and hip pain. Sometimes the practitioner will add electricity to the needles. This feels either like a light buzzing sensation or a tap, tap, tap. The goal of needling is to get de qi. This feels like a good muscle ache. This sensation tells the practitioner that they have contacted Qi. That’s a good thing. Sometimes the patients will feel a burning pain. This indicates that the needle is irritating a capillary or nerve bed, and should be adjusted or re-inserted. Sometimes your physician will also place small needles in the ear to enhance the meridian points. This is especially used for patients with, long-standing pain, anxiety or addiction.

Will my insurance cover it?
Most insurance companies will cover the initial office visit which includes a complete evaluation, and then a treatment if indicated. Unfortunately though, not all insurance companies pay for medical acupuncture. Although, re-imbursement and acceptance is on the rise, since more patients are demanding coverage. Your best bet is to call your insurance carrier and ask if they cover acupuncture. If your insurance carrier doesn’t cover acupuncture ask, “why not” and “would they consider it.”

Although all of these services are offered at American Integrative Medicine, they are not mutually exclusive. In other words, most of our patients who are seeking treatment of certain symptoms or diseases not cured with traditional Western medicine get treatments from a combination of services listed above. For example, patients seeking acupuncture for back pain that is not relieved by physical therapy or medication are also offered osteopathic manipulation and natural remedies such as botanicals to help relieve their pain. It’s complete care of the whole person with a variety of different combinations of different therapeutics. It’s your body, and we give you the choice of your total care. Let’s work together to achieve your optimal health. Schedule an appointment today.

AIM In The News

Alternatives for Fighting Allergies (Without Side Effects)

“Dr. Bakus has received the best training available in integrative medicine. I consider her fully prepared to go out in the world and help transform the practice of medicine and healthcare in the directions consumers want."     -Andrew Weil MD

Online Resources:

Dr. Weil Integrative Medicine

American Holistic Medicine Association