Moxibustion involves the burning of mugwort, artemesia vulgaris, a Chinese herb, near specific points or regions of the body to facilitate healing.

Herbal Medicine involves the use of differents plant, mineral and other naturally occurring products to treat a myriad of disease conditions.

Tuina is Chinese massage or body work.

Acupressure is the stimulation of the acupuncture points by manual pressure rather than by needle insertion.

Heat Therapy uses an infrared, mineral heat lamp over affected regions.

Electrical Stimulation is the application of electrical stimulation to the inserted acupuncture needles.

Yin and Yang represent the opposing yet interdependent energies that function to maintain balance within the body. In addition, there is a driving force that permeates the body and all things. This energy is called qi (pronounced chee) and it flows throughout the body in pathways called meridians or channels. The acupuncture points are located along these meridians.

In good health, our qi and yin and yang are balanced, flowing smoothly throughout our bodies. When illness, trauma or emotional stress occur, this normal balance is disturbed, causing blockages that impede the normal flow of qi. This can cause pain and induce different disease states. Acupuncture unblocks the meridians allowing the qi to flow smoothly again and restore balance to the body.

Reiki is a form of qi regulation known as outgoing qi gong. Reiki is an energetic way of regulating the qi to restore balance to the body. The practitioner offers qi to the recipient in an unconditional manner. Sessions often produce a deeply relaxed, peaceful state in the recipient, promoting the self-healing function of the body.

What should you expect at your first visit?

Your first visit will include a detailed history. You will be asked questions concerning your habits, heat/cold tolerance, diet, etc. TCM takes a more holistic approach to patient care. A TCM diagnosis will be made based on your current complaint, history and symptoms, followed by needle insertion along the involved meridians. You may also be provided with herbal formulas to treat your condition. This first visit usually takes about 1-1/1/2 hours.

Who is Four Gates Oriental Medicine?

Four Gates Oriental Medicine is a holistic medical practice located at the Wellness Oasis and specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Japanese Reiki. Its mission is to provide good health care, promoting patient healin, balance, peace and well-being. Other modalities offered are Bach flower remedies, aromatherapy, magnet therapy, Magnified Healing and crystal healing.

Who is Claire Fitch?

Claire Fitch has been in the medical field for 28 years as a medical technologist, research scientist, midwife assistant and educator. She is an adjunct professor at Miami Dade Community College and the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine.

Claire is a NCCAOM (National Commission for Certification in Oriental Medicine) board-certified acupuncturist with a Diplomate in Acupuncture. She is also a Florida-licensed acupuncture physician. Claire has an MS in Oriental Medicine and an MS in Cellular/Molecular Biology. She is also a Reiki practitioner/master and teacher and has reached the Nidan level in Usui-do practice. Claire also offers classes in Reiki and Magnified Healing techniques.