Classical Acupuncture & Structural Medicine

- Pulse-Guided, individualized Treatment

Each session begins with assessment rather than a predetermined acupuncture protocol.

Dr. Yang integrates Classical Chinese Medicine pulse diagnosis, tongue analysis, your symptoms and health history, and hands-on physical examination to develop a working understanding of your current condition.

When structural or musculoskeletal involvement is present, she examines the skin, fascia, muscles, joints, posture, and movement, and may combine acupuncture with hands-on structural therapy.

When the presentation suggests a broader internal, constitutional, or systemic pattern, pulse findings and the overall clinical picture help guide the selection of an appropriate Classical acupuncture channel strategy.

Within the Classical Chinese Medicine framework, pulse qualities may provide clinical clues about patterns involving circulation and blood distribution, nervous system activity, internal function, constitutional tendencies, and the depth of the presenting imbalance.

Treatment is guided by the pattern your body presents − not simply by the name or location of a symptom.

01 – ASSESS: Pulse + Tongue + History + Physical Examination

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02 – UNDERSTAND: What level or system appears to be involved?

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03 – SELECT: Choose the appropriate Classical channel strategy

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04 – TREAT: Acupuncture ± Structural Manual Therapy

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05 – REASSESS: Observe how the body responds, reassess key findings, and refine the treatment accordingly.

Assess ⇒ Understand ⇒ Select ⇒ Treat ⇒ Reassess ⇒ Refine

Classical Channel Systems

Different Patterns May Call for Different Treatment Strategies:
Classical Chinese Medicine describes multiple channel systems. Dr. Yang does not select a channel system based solely on the name of a disease. The choice is guided by the pulse, tongue, health history, symptoms, physical findings, and overall clinical presentation.
Depending on what the assessment reveals, treatment may draw from one or more of the following systems.

Primary Channels

For patterns expressed through the primary meridian system.
When the clinical picture suggests a more acquired or current functional imbalance involving the primary channels, treatment may focus on these channels to regulate the presenting pattern and support greater functional balance.

Sinew Channels & Structural Patterns

For structural, musculoskeletal & pain presentations

When examination suggests a predominantly structural or musculoskeletal component, treatment may incorporate the Sinew Channels, acupuncture, and hands-on structural therapy, with attention to areas of scar tissue restriction when clinical relevant.

Dr. Yang assesses relationships among skin, fascia, muscles, joints, posture, and movement while considering how structural patterns may interact with circulation, nerve function, and lymphatic flow.

Treatment is followed by reassessment to observe how the structure, movement, and symptoms respond.

Luo Channels

For patterns with an emotional psychosocial dimension.
Within Classical Chinese Medicine, the Luo Channels may be considered when emotional experience, stress, and longstanding psychosocial patterns appear to be an important part of the clinical picture.

When appropriate, Dr. Yang may incorporate Luo Channel strategies as part of a broader individualized treatment plan.

Eight Extraordinary Vessels

For deeper constitutional and systemic patterns.
Within Classical Chinese Medicine, the Eight Extraordinary Vessels provide another framework for addressing patterns that extend beyond a localized Primary Channel presentation.
Dr. Yang may consider these vessels when the pulse, health history, constitution, and overall clinical picture suggest a deeper or more systemic pattern.
Their use is individualized according to the patient rather than determined by a diagnosis alone.

Divergent Channels

For deeper, persistent, or complex patterns.
The Divergent Channels may be considered when the clinical presentation suggests a deeper or persistent pattern involving relationships between the channels and internal systems.
Treatment selection is guided by pulse findings, symptoms, health history, and the broader clinical picture, and may incorporate acupuncture and other Classical Chinese Medicine techniques when appropriate.

Classical Pulse Diagnosis

Pulse as a Guide - not a Standalone Diagnosis

Dr. Yang's approach to pulse diagnosis has been shaped by continued study of several Classical Chinese Medicine pulse traditions, including channel-system pulse diagnosis, Nan Jing (難經) pulse diagnosis, Five Element pulse diagnosis, Shang Han Lun (傷寒論) pulse diagnosis, and other Classical pulse approaches.

Rather than relying on one pulse system in isolation, she draws from these traditions according to the clinical presentation and integrates pulse findings with tongue analysis, symptoms, health history, and physical examination.

The pulse does not stand alone. Findings from one part of the examination may support, refine, or challenge the working clinical understanding developed from another.

Why This Matters

You do not need to know which channel system you need before your visit.
These systems are part of Dr. Yang's clinical toolkit. Your treatment strategy is selected after considering your pulse, tongue, health history, symptoms, physical findings, and how your body responds to treatment.
The purpose is not to fit you into a predetermined system, but to determine which approach best matches what your body is presenting at that time.