SUZZAN CRAIG L.Ac.
EDUCATION
BPS, MS, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine NYC (Graduated Valedictorian)
Swedish Institute, Jeffrey Yuen Classical Acupuncture program. NYC
Certification Diploma in Advanced Shiatsu, The Ohashi Institute, NYC
MM, Manhattan School of Music, NYC
BM, University of Texas at Austin, School of Music
WORK
Manhattan Center for Living, health services for people living with life-threatening illnesses, NYC, (Founded by Marianne Williamson)
GMHC, NYC, providing wellness services and support for men and women living with HIV/AIDS, and other life- threatening illnesses, public service 5 years.
Acupuncture Internship at Fortune Society, NYC.
Shiatsu Practitioner: 25 years experience.
Licensed Acupuncturist, NY State, owner- operator of “Upper-West Side Acupuncture”
STATEMENT:
I believe the healing arts can be a transformative power for both the patient and the practitioner; to be of service to help others is a noble endeavor to aspire to.
Acupuncture is a system of Chinese Medicine dates back thousands of years, is one of the oldest medical systems still in use. Currently, more people world wide, receive acupuncture now, than any other time in history.
QI
The core principle is that a type of life energy, known as Qi flows through energy pathways (meridians) throughout the body, each corresponding to organ systems, that govern particular functions. In Chinese medicine, Qi is the source of all activity in the body.
An imbalance of Qi, too little, too much, or blocked flow causes pain and diseases, both physical and mental. To restore balance to Qi, the acupuncturist inserts hair thin needles at points along the meridians.
CURRENT USES
The World Health Organization recognizes the ability of acupuncture to treat over 200 commonly encountered clinical disorders.
Acupuncture is currently being used successfully in a variety of venues in the U.S. and world- wide:
Fertility clinics
Labor and delivery hospitals
Cancer treatment/recovery centers
Stroke recovery clinics and other brain disorders
Headache clinics, including Johns Hopkins Headache Center
Addiction recovery
Treatments for depression and anxiety
Menopause
Acupuncture anesthesia for major surgery in China
Used by U.S. military for pain and PTSD
Veterinary Clinics
Facial Rejuvenation
CLASSICAL ACUPUNCTURE TEXTS
The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huang di Nei Jing) is a very important written text on Chinese medicine from the 2nd century B.C., the basis of all acupuncture.
ANCIENT TEXTS CONTAIN ADVANCED INFORMATION
Contains information about the brain, and protocols for manic-depressive disorder; science today proves acupuncture stimulates and regulates neurotransmitters and brain chemistry.
Vision comes from the brain, and the eyes are part of the brain, including knowledge of contra- lateral fields. Texts contain protocols for treating the eyes.
CLINICAL STUDIES FOR ACUPUNCTURE
There are now thousands of clinical studies in the U.S., China, and world wide supporting the benefits of acupuncture, in treating a wide variety of medical conditions. Please see the LINKS TAB to view successful clinical trials for various medical conditions.
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS
Initial treatment begins with a medical intake and questions to help diagnosis and plan treatment for your particular issues and needs.
Treatments are done with patients lying either face up or down, on a treatment table. It is recommended that patients bring or wear loose fitting clothing, to allow better access to the acupuncture points selected for treatment.
Acupuncture needles used today are slightly more than the width of a human hair, and are barely felt. They are sterile, pre-packaged disposable, for one time use only.
You may feel a heaviness, warmth, tingle, or slight electric sensation on the acupuncture point, which said to be qi movement.
Acupuncture treatments are usually referred to as body treatments, but may include the ears (auricular) acupuncture, and facial acupuncture, to rejuvenate skin and stimulate collagen production.
OTHER MODALITIES
Acupuncture may be accompanied by other common modalities, such as light skin scraping (Gua sha), suction cupping, warming moxa, heat therapy, and acupressure massage (shiatsu).
TREATMENTS FOR CHILDREN
(Shoni-Shin)
Painless, non-insertion treatments are available for children.
The Yellow Emperor (Nei Jing) classical texts, from the 2nd century B.C.,describe 9 types of needles, in which 3 are non-insertion needles (tools).
Since the 17th century, Japanese practitioners have specialized and developed this gentle technique for children, called “Shoni Shin”, meaning “little children”. Small metal tools bring Qi to the surface, spread Qi, and stimulate specific acupuncture points.
Since the child’s body is still developing, the Qi moves very quickly, producing very quick results from treatments. These techniques are best for children under age 12.
Gastrointestinal issues, allergies, asthma, bedwetting, stuttering, ADHD, behavioral issues are some of the conditions treated in children.
Treatments for children are quick and inexpensive.
Shiatsu is a form of Japanese bodywork based on the theory of Chinese medicine.
In Japanese, the term Shiatsu means, “finger pressure”. Techniques include using fingers, thumbs, palms and stretches of the acupuncture channels and points, to balance qi, therefore, promoting wellness and relaxation.
Shiatsu derived from another Japanese modality called “Anma”, which is thought be of Chinese origin, developing from “Tui na”. Chinese medicine came to Japan in the 6th century A.D. In Japan, since the 17th century, bodywork has been strongly associated with blind practitioners.
Tanai Tenpaku published the first shiatsu manual in 1919, in Japan.
Tokujino Namikoshi (1905-2000) founded his Shiatsu College in the 1940’s. A student and teacher at the school, Dr. Shizuto Masunaga, brought shiatsu to the U.S., founding the Zen Shiatsu Education Center of America, located in NYC. Masunaga’s protege, Wataru Ohashi continues to head the NYC school, now named the Ohashi Institute.
A psychologist turned shiatsu practitioner, Dr. Masunaga evolved his own method of shiatsu practice, based on classic texts. He greatly emphasized the psychological effects of meridian energy.
UPPER WEST SIDE ACUPUNCTURE STUDIO
Most acupuncture and shiatsu treatments are 60-90 minutes.
Treatments for children are 30 minutes or less.
All treatments are by appointment.
Please give 24 hours notice for cancellation, to avoid fee.
Payment is due upon receipt of treatment.
Please e-mail for pricing and forms.
Suzzan Craig, MS, L.Ac
suzzancraigacu@gmail.com
upperwestsideacu.net
Manhattan, Upper west side locations, flexible hours.
TESTIMONIALS:
"Suzzan has an amazing touch and sensibility. She has helped me a lot!" -Dominique L.
" Absolutely amazing practitioner! Suzzan was able to free up my back pain and shoulders, she helped me tremendously. Highly recommended!" -Nadia M.
Acupuncture and the Brain:
Acupuncture for Depression:
Acupuncture regenerates nerves:
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1428-acupuncture-regenerates-nerves
Acupuncture for Migraines:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19160193/
Acupuncture for Hearing Loss:
Acupuncture improves IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome):
Acupuncture improves Crohn's Disease:
http://acupuncture.net.ph/acupuncture-for-crohns-disease/
Acupuncture reduces pain post-surgery:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25797640/
Acupuncture benefits Sleep:
Acupuncture improves circulation:
Acupuncture reduces Hypertension:
Acupuncture used by USA military for pain and PTSD:
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/16/146944270/military-pokes-holes-in-acupuncture-skeptics-theory
http://www.afgsc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123419198#.U9nIqgSDJxk.facebook
Acupuncture for Children:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/13/needles-trump-patches-in-treating-kids-eye-problem/
Acupuncture used in Hospital Emergency Care: