Diane Tanning, L.Ac., is offering comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine services, including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, at PiH for a variety of health-related conditions. She is offering facial rejuvenation acupuncture, an alternative to certain types of plastic surgery. People throughout the Twin Cities (Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN) seek out Diane for her wisdom, skills, and deep sense of caring.

Just as a compass has four primary directions, at PiH we believe the path to health can be approached along four different primary directions. The North-South axis represents how we move between mind (North) and body (South). But, there are also very different ways of understanding the nature of mind and body that are reflected in Eastern and Western healing traditions. At PiH, we move back and forth along these axes until we find the optimal direction that leads to restoration of our clients's health.

Acupuncture is one of the healing practices we offer at PiH. Diane's credentials attest to her training and proven ability to positively impact the health of her clients and patients. Still, some may benefit from a brief overview of acupuncture as an ancient and yet thoroughly modern energy medicine practice that is actually part of a much larger system of healing known as Oriental Medicine. Acupuncture involves the careful placement of very fine needles into special points on the skin that are associated with pathways through which different types of energy, called Ch'i are said to flow. The acupuncture points are located along the meridians and can be used to modulate the circulation of Ch'i. The needles are left in place for 20-30 minutes while the client or patient relaxes in a warm and soothing treatment room. The placement of the needles is determined through a careful interview with Diane that explores the relationships of presenting symptoms to many aspects of a person's life circumstances.

Ch'i energy is said to come from three sources: a vital energy inherited from our parents; energy absorbed into and produced by the body as a result of the foods we eat; and energy we absorb through our relationship to our environment. When the flow of these energies through the body is disrupted in some manner (which can result from physical, emotional, mental and spiritual influences) a "pattern of disharmony" forms that represents an "imbalance" in the person’s Ch'i energy system. When the person's energy system is imbalanced, symptoms of illness or other patterns of difficulty emerge. Therefore, when working with an acupuncturist, restoration of "balance" is what is sought because when in balance, the person's optimal healing potential is released.

Acupuncture involves careful attention to the whole person, not just to symptoms and their cause. Many types of personal problems (e.g., many forms of chronic illness) cannot be reduced to simple "cause and effect" relationships, which is what Biomedicine (another name for our dominant Western medical model) is based upon.

Examples of conditions acupuncture is used to treat include:

• Traumatic Injury Chronic and/or Acute Pain
• Infertility/OB-Gyn Conditions
• Chronic Illness
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Muscular Weakness
• Spasms and Nerve Pain
• Inflammation and Edema
• Immune System Impairment
• Neurological Conditions
• Respiratory Conditions
• Urogenital Disorders
• Allergies
• Addictions
• Depression and Anxiety
• Stress-mediated conditions
• Emotional Difficulties
• Insomnia

Indications that acupuncture is working for you are often noticeable within the first few visits. Through on-going consultation with Diane, you can determine what type of course of acupuncture or Traditional Chinese medicine treatment makes the most sense for you.