I have helped many people heal holistically from a wide range of conditions using herbs and acupuncture. I never guarantee any results, and yet most people find great benefits from a combination of acupuncture and herbs, as well as the use of qi gong. Being a new father I experienced a level of worry and fear around his health and well-being and a new time drain that I was unaccustomed to. Up until I became a father, I was used to having abundant time for my qi gong practice and also time for Continue Reading
Resources to Subsidize Acupuncture
At 4 Branches Chinese Medicine Center accessibility to our services is a priority. For that reason we make every attempt to connect with institutions and groups that will make acupuncture and Chinese medicine more affordable. These are the networks that we are connected to: 1) Veterans who contact the VA to have them make an appointment with us get acupuncture covered by Veterans affairs. So if you are a veteran you can enjoy acupuncture as part of your benefits simply by Continue Reading
New and Improved Acupuncture Offerings
In my ongoing quest to deepen my ability to heal myself and others, I have combined different forms of ancient Chinese Taoist medical Qi gong healing methods. I would like to more thoroughly integrate what I have learned in my dedicated personal meditation practice with the services I offer at 4 Branches. I want to update you on the new and improved offerings. New Extended Initial Acupuncture Consultations To accomplish this goal, I will now offer a new extended 1.5 hour Continue Reading
Strengthening Your Center During Challenging Times
Times of transition and change can seem unsettling, as if the earth is moving beneath your feet and there is not a stable place to rest and regroup. Change and transition can be anything from the death of a loved one (human or animal), a new job, new home, the end or even the beginning of a relationship, unsettling world events, just to name a few. Chinese medicine offers not only wisdom but practical ways to take care of yourself and to cultivate a stronger sense of trust and Continue Reading
New Medical Qi Gong Offerings
Michele and Andres recently completed the coursework for a masters in medical qi gong. This has been a very rewarding and intense three year process that has involved a lot of study, travel, and focus. For those who do not know what medical qi gong is, it is an ancient, powerful system of healing from China that is useful for a wide variety of health concerns. It is Chinese medicine's version of energy healing, and one of the four branches Chinese medicine. Medical qi gong has been Continue Reading
Strengthen Your Digestion with Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, the earth forms the center of a five element configuration of any given human being. Many traditional systems, like Ayurveda and Native American systems, understand each human body as a unique combination of the natural elements, with each system identifying and working with specific elements, such as water, earth, wood, air, etc. The purpose of using natural elements in identifying body systems is to have an easy, succinct and efficient way to explain and to address any Continue Reading
Community Acupuncture Comes to Winston Salem
By Michele Collins Vergara Shortly after I (Andres) graduated from the Tai Sophia institute (now known as the Maryland University of Integrative health), an acupuncture school in MD, in 2007, I co-founded a community acupuncture clinic in Silver Spring MD. It was called Crossings Community Acupuncture Clinic. One of the most gratifying aspects of working at this clinic was the diversity of people who came in. There were taxi drivers, students, people from all walks of life. There was a much Continue Reading
How Acupuncture Works For Depression
Written by Andres Vergara, Dipl. OM, L.Ac. and Michele Vergara, RH (AHG) Depression and Acupuncture Treatment Acupuncture is time-tested way to unblock and free the flow of qi. What is anger, sadness, frustration? These are but amalgamations of unhealthy qi that have accumulated into patterns and habitual ways of being that interfere with ease and a sense of fulfillment in life. How can acupuncture help? Acupuncture can help to reorganize the patterns and habits from the inside out. Continue Reading
How Chinese Medicine Can Help Anxiety
Written by Andres Vergara, Dipl.OM, L.Ac. and Michele Collins Vergara, RH (AHG), MPH Anxiety often represents an advanced progression of various smaller imbalances and thought patterns. In Chinese medicine various symptoms are used as clues to understand how to easily and practically address the reality of anxiety. In order to best help we ask clients to breakdown how does anxiety feel in their body. Are there heart palpitations? Is there a shortness of breath? Spinning thoughts? Sleep Continue Reading
Experience all 4 Branches of Chinese Medicine
In the interest of providing more comprehensive care, we have designed some opportunities to better promote a deeper healing facilitated by the synergy of the 4 branches of Chinese medicine. Each of these therapies serves to support and reinforce the other. Also, in addition to receiving acupuncture and a customized herbal formula, we also will teach you important self care tools from Chinese nutritional therapy and qi gong to help you manage your own healing process. Here is more information Continue Reading