About Doc Misha
Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine:
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
The clinic’s offerings include acupuncture, chinese herbs, nutrition and comprehensive programs.
CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE is a complete system of medicine with its own forms of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and therapies. Chinese medicine views the body as an energetic system in dynamic balance. Qi—translated as "energy" or "life force"—flows in a regular pattern through a system of channels (or meridians) to the whole body.
When the flow of Qi is unimpeded there is harmony, balance, and good health. When there are Qi blockages, too much or too little Qi, there is an imbalance which can lead to disharmony and disease.
Chinese traditional medicine helps restore the body to balance and works on an energetic level to affect all aspects of a person: mind/body/spirit.
Chinese traditional medicine helps restore the body to balance and works on an energetic level to affect all aspects of a person: mind/body/spirit. The beauty of Chinese medicine is that it can be used to correct imbalances that have become illness and pain, or even correct imbalances prior to the appearance of symptoms, therefore preventing disease.
Chinese traditional medicine addresses imbalances using food therapy/diet, acupuncture, herbal remedies, Chinese exercise, massage, and meditation along with Western therapies. Chinese medicine is the longest existing continuous medical system practiced in the world, with over 3000 years of history.
Comprehensive Programs
We will help you to develop a comprehensive program of care based on the principles of Chinese traditional medicine.
At Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine, we offer acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese nutrition consults, supplements and other natural and Asian therapies.
We will help you to develop a comprehensive program of care based on the principles of Chinese traditional medicine.
Our specialties include:
Chinese Medicine Therapies
FOOD therapy focuses on improving digestion, increasing energy, and balancing body energy. Food therapy often increases the effect of other treatments.
MASSAGE includes meridian pressure such as Shiatsu or muscle massage.
MOXIBUSTION is the burning of the common fragrant herb mugwort (moxa) over areas of the body for stimulation or gentle warmth.
EXERCISE includes martial arts as well as more subtle movement such as T’ai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga. Gym workouts or aerobic exercise may also be suggested.
MEDITATION may include traditional Asian forms as well as relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback.
ACUPUNCTURE is the art of inserting fine sterile metal needles into certain body or ear points to control the body’s energy (Qi) flow. Acupuncture is relatively painless, often accompanied by a heavy sensation, warmth, or movement of energy at the point of insertion or along the energy channels. Acupuncture helps to relieve pain and rebalance the body’s flow of energy to help heal symptoms.
Acupuncture helps to relieve pain and rebalance the body’s flow of energy to help heal symptoms.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE is integral to Chinese medicine. The herbs selected reflect the type of imbalance that has been diagnosed. Herbal medicine may be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. The clinic maintains a full herbal pharmacy.
Some formulas on which individual prescriptions are based date back thousands of years. The accumulated experience with these formulas has helped to clarify how they work and when to use them. There are thousands of Chinese herbs. Each herb in a formula is carefully chosen based on its effects according to ancient and modern Chinese texts. Herbs come in many forms.
Bulk dried herbs are close to their natural form and are specially processed to carry out the proper action or to remove toxic properties. Bulk herbs are cooked into teas and drunk warm. The mixtures are tailored individually to fit a person’s precise constitution. This is often important when treating acute conditions. These herbs are often strong tasting, requiring time and commitment for preparation.
Herbal formulas also come prepared in tablets, capsules, tinctures, extracts, and liniments. Often, these are based on traditional formulas, while others have been developed specifically for Western constitutions and conditions. Pill formulas are designed to be taken for a long period of time and are especially good for use in chronic conditions, although there are prepared herbs for acute problems. Misha Cohen has designed a number of these pill formulas.
A licensed qualified practitioner trained in the use of Chinese herbs should prescribe Chinese herbal medicine, as the effects of herbs must be monitored carefully.
What to Expect
A treatment plan will be suggested which may include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, diet therapy, meditation, exercise, and other natural therapies.
The initial visit will take 1 1/2 to two hours. It includes a detailed interview and Chinese examination, including tongue and pulse diagnosis. A Chinese diagnosis will be given. If a Western diagnosis has been previously given by a Western MD, this is also taken into consideration.
A treatment plan will be suggested which may include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, diet therapy, meditation, exercise, and other natural therapies.
The number and length of treatments varies according to the individual condition, the length of time of the specific complaint, and by your response to treatment.
Location
Conveniently located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District.
Fees/Payment
Chicken Soup accepts third party payments. Worker’s Comp and Personal Injury are also accepted. There is a discount scale for uninsured people. Please call for fees.
Appointments
Call (415) 861-1101
Fax (415) 864-9653
Email ChinMedSF@aol.com
Misha is the author of The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness, The HIV Wellness Sourcebook, and The Hepatitis C Help Book. She has been practicing Asian Medicine since 1977. She is the Director of Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine, Research & Education Chair of