While I was attending Five Branches Institute my studies seemed to be all encompassing, a system that could be applied to almost any condition. However, at regular intervals our teachers would say “This is just a drop in the ocean.” This seemed impossible since I was only just keeping afloat. Over the 20 years since I first received my license I understand, it is an ocean and that is just what you need to stay afloat .
In California the scope of a licensed acupuncturist is quite broad. It allows for the use of needles, acupressure, electroacupuncture, massage, gua sha, magnets, cupping, and heat. I can prescribe herbal and nutritional supplements, and give nutritional and exercise advice. Chinese medicine offers many modalities and options for treatment all of which are dedicated to the same goal “to promote, maintain and restore health.”
In a treatment we, we meaning the patient and practitioner, are moving Qi around. Qi is the invisible energy of the body. Like the wind we know Qi is there because we can see and feel its movement or lack thereof. Intestinal peristalsis is a Qi movement that is lacking in constipation, though that is only one cause of constipation. Burping or vomiting is Qi going in the wrong direction. Qi that does not move causes pain. When Qi is balanced and flowing in the right directions the various systems of the body function well and are resilient. Qi can be likened to an imaginary number. Everything makes more sense if we accept it as fact. For at least two thousand years the concept of Qi has been central to a medicine that has served to help the body to heal from many conditions and diseases.
There are a myriad of ways to move and regulate Qi, acupuncture isn’t the only one. Herbs are allies too. Through thousands of years of recording experimentation and outcomes and As a licensed herbalist I pin point ( acupuncture pun alert) the appropriate herbal formula for your condition. Chinese herbal medicine allows for formulas to be matched with a system of pattern diagnosis. For example insomnia has eleven different patterns or types. There isn’t just one formula for them all. Using pattern diagnosis to choose a sleep formula assures the best outcome. You can read more about herbal medicine under WRITINGS.
I accept Medi-Cal. If you live in Santa Cruz County and receive MediCal through Central Coast Alliance for Health you are allowed two self referred visits per month of acupuncture or chiropractic care. If you have a referral for a painful condition from your primary care provider I can receive authorization for more frequent treatments. I also offer a sliding scale fee $50-$85. You can make an appointment on-line by clicking on the BOOKING tab.
Things My Patients Say
From R. M.
Not only did Diana provide relief for my back, but she would always try to go above and beyond! She would recommend different tools I could use for pain management and she would also perform cupping and light massages. No other provider took the time to take a hollistic approach to the situation. I am so grateful for Diana because she listened to me as a patient and always sought to help me feel better! There was never a day I didn’t look forward to my treatments!
Four months after pursuing treatment, I am finally able to work full-time without my back hurting me as much as it did before. I will continue to seek Diana even after for continuing treatment because her treatments always help me feel at ease and relaxed. If you are struggling with back/neck pain or even stress, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her! She is super caring and knows what she is doing!”
From J.L.
Diana Moll is the most caring and competent acupuncturist a person could ask for. She has been helping me regain my health in a number of ways, including treating my migraines, back and neck pain, and hand pain. Her treatments transformed my dominant hand from being extremely painful and challenging to hold a pen or paintbrush, to being restored and fully functional in just a couple sessions. Both her needle points, guasha, and cupping techniques help manage and lessen chronic migraines and tension headaches. She goes above and beyond in her research to help solve mysterious or complicated ailments, tackling them from a wholistic and knowledgeable viewpoint, all the while maintaining a comforting and relaxed atmosphere. She’s very approachable and attentive, and her sense of humor tops the cake.
From A.B.
Diana helped me tremendously with my chronic shoulder pain. She always took her time to listen carefully, absorbing how I use my shoulder and then educated me to pay attention of the way I do things. Her holistic approach, using different techniques depend on how I was moving along with my healing. When my pain was bad after physical therapy she would use magnets, or cupping and scraping with massage to relieve my pain, plus the needle technique. I always left her cozy room with a big relief from pain. She watched me carefully and noticed that I have a bad habit on how I lift my arm up in the air, and this is irritating my shoulder and causing my pain, so after my treatments she would tape my shoulder up, to help me keep it in the right place. That really speeded up my healing. Thank you for her care and kindness to give all her knowledge to my healing, now I can use my shoulder without pain. I feel very lucky to have found her. The rest of my family benefitS from her knowledge as well. My 13 year old daughter with strained ankle and my husband with shoulder injury both saw her for treatment and are better. We are always looking forward to our treatments with Diana, knowing that we will get the best care we can have. Thank you for always being there for my family!