- Acupuncture Therapeutics1224 East Green St. #100
Pasadena, California 91106626-755-6260 Opening Hours
Mon8.30am - 3pmTue8.30am - 7pmThu8.30am - 7pmFri8.30am - 2pmSat9am - 2pmHours subject to change
- Testimonials
Katarina Ryan is a highly knowledgeable and experienced acupuncturist. She made me feel instantly comfortable and safe in my treatment and really listens to my issues and concerns. And she works in a very complementary way with the other treatments I’m getting for my condition.
Pam J.Dr. Ryan is truly amazing! I have received a couple of acupuncture treatments from her and am already feeling better. She is highly knowledgeable and adept in her work. Dr. Ryan did acupuncture for the chronic tension in my neck and shoulders and within one session, i felt an immediate difference! Dr. Ryan is now an integral part of my health and wellness program and I will continue to see her as needed. Thank you!
Nadine N.First time experiencing Acupuncture and in just a few weeks it has worked wonders on a shoulder problem that I had been trying to address for a very long time. Katarina is very professional and even with all of the covid issues I felt very comfortable being in the office and getting treatments. I would recommend Katarina to anyone
Emma S.
San Francisco, CASome history on me. I have severe anxiety and terrible neck to arm pain from working and stress. It got to the point where I could barely move my head. Massages and chiropractors helped a little but not much. When I met Katarina I was at an all time low. I also have really bad GERD but we haven’t started my treatment for that yet. So far I am on my 5th treatment for neck, arm, hand pain and a
... Read more »The first time I went to Katrina for facial acupuncture to get a little lift. I must admit I was a little skeptical. It does work. My skin was smoother and more supple and my jowls had a little lift to them. Katrina is professional and caring. I highly recommend her services.
Andi L.
San Francisco, CA -
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Healthy Foods for Fall
The season of fall brings cooler weather and shorter days. As with any season, the world adjusts accordingly. Plants begin to go dormant, animals begin scrounging for food to store to get them through the upcoming winter months and humans start winterizing everything.
As fall descends on the land, it reminds us we need to start cutting back on the numerous cooling foods that are consumed during the summer months. Things like raw foods, salads, juices and fruits should be decreased because they can create too much cold in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine. continue reading
Five Reasons to Get Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
Statistics show eight out of 10 people will experience low back pain at some point during their life. Seeking medical treatment for back pain is very common. Typically back pain is fleeting and can be easily resolved with rest, heat and an occasional anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. However, once the damage is done, the recurrence of back pain can be as high as 50 percent. Part of this is because as we age, things like muscles and tendons become less flexible and pliable. It is also very well known in the United States, people are too sedentary and this leads to excess weight gain that can create added pressure on the body, especially the low back. continue reading
We do cupping. What you should know about it
Cupping
Cupping: An Introduction
Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the early fourth century, when the noted herbalist Ge Hong wrote about a form of cupping in A Handbook of Prescriptions. Later books written during the Tang and Qing dynasties described cupping in great detail; one textbook included an entire chapter on “fire jar qi,” a type of cupping that could alleviate headaches, dizziness and abdominal pain.
Originally, practitioners would use hollowed-out animal horns for cups, and place them over particular points or meridians. Today, most acupuncturists use cups made of thick glass or plastic, although bamboo, iron and pottery cups are still used in other countries. Glass cups are the preferred method of delivery, because they do not break as easily as pottery or deteriorate like bamboo, and they allow the acupuncturist to see the skin and evaluate the effects of treatment.
How does cupping work? What does it treat?
In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum.
As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down so that the practitioner can place the cup over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will be left in place from 5 to 10 minutes. Several cups may be placed on a patient’s body at the same time. Some practitioners will also apply small amounts of medicated oils or herbal oils to the skin just before the cupping procedure, which lets them move the cups up and down particular acupoints or meridians after they have been applied.
In China, cupping is used primarily to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion; arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain types of pain. Some practitioners also use cupping to treat depression and reduce swelling. Fleshy sites on the body, such as the back and stomach (and, to a lesser extent, the arms and legs), are the preferred sites for treatment.
How many types of cupping are there?
In addition to the traditional form of cupping described above, which is known as “dry” cupping, some practitioners also use what is called “wet” or “air” cupping.
In “air” cupping, instead of using a flame to heat the cup, the cup is applied to the skin, and a suction pump is attached to the rounded end of the jar. The pump is then used to create the vacuum. In “wet” cupping, the skin is punctured before treatment. When the cup is applied and the skin is drawn up, a small amount of blood may flow from the puncture site, which are believed to help remove harmful substances and toxins from the body.
Is cupping safe? Does it hurt?
While cupping is considered relatively safe (especially air cupping, which does not include the risk of fire and heat), it can cause some swelling and marking on the skin. As the skin under a cup is drawn up, the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand. This may result in small, circular marks on the areas where the cups were applied. These marks are usually painless, however, and disappear within a few days of treatment.
In addition, there are several instances where cupping should not be performed. Patients with inflamed skin; cases of high fever or convulsions; and patients who bleed easily, are not suitable candidates for cupping. Pregnant women should not have cupping on their stomach or lower back. If the cups are being moved, they should not cross bony areas, such as the ridges of the spine or the shoulder blades.
Call today and make your appointment for your cupping session!