Paula Burgess MD, MPH

Medical Acupuncturist

Learn more about Dr. Burgess

Bridging Traditions Acupuncture thoughtfully bridges the eastern-western medicine divide by applying a deep understanding of the traditions of western medicine to the eastern tradition of acupuncture.

Dr. Paula Burgess, founder of Bridging Traditions Acupuncture, combines her innate gifts and intuitions as a healer with her strong knowledge of western medicine and eastern acupuncture to develop a unique acupuncture treatment plan for each individual and each situation. 

                  She draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine, 5 Element Acupuncture, and the French energetic model in designing input. Sometimes this approach involves only a very few strategically selected points; at other times a more vigorous energy movement involving more points and electrical stimulation may be preferred.

The mission of Bridging Traditions Acupuncture is to promote a positive sense of well-being through energy balancing treatments as well as to apply acupuncture as a complementary treatment modality for injury and illness. 

                    Many conditions respond favorably to acupuncture, and Dr. Burgess’s deep knowledge and thoughtful approach has been successful in treating many conditions, including acute and chronic pain and injury, headaches, anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, addiction, gastrointestinal conditions, neurological conditions, allergies, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, infertility, weight loss, and more.

Services Provided 

ACUPUNCTURE ASSESSMENT:

The acupuncture assessment consists of bridging important aspects of western medicine with questions and exams specific to acupuncture, including pulse diagnosis and tongue diagnosis.

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ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT PLAN:

Development of an individualized acupuncture treatment is informed by an acupuncture assessment and draws upon western medicine concepts as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine, 5 Element Acupuncture, and French energetic acupuncture.

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ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT:

An acupuncture treatment involves inserting thin, specially designed needles  into specific points on the body to facilitate a therapeutic energy movement.

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ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT WITH ELECTRICAL STIMULATION:

Sometimes mild electrical stimulation is applied to acupuncture needles to further  influence the movement of energy.

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ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT WITH MOXIBUSTION OR INFRARED HEAT:

Infrared heat or a smoldering herb preparation (mugwort) may be used to stimulate the movement of energy.

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AURICULAR (EAR) ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT: 

Small needles are inserted into specific locations in the external ear alone or combined with other acupuncture treatments. 

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GUA SHA TREATMENT:

Gua Sha, an ancient Chinese scraping or massage technique, uses a porcelain spoon in a friction rub to stimulate energy flow.

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CUPPING TREATMENT:

Plastic or glass cups are applied at specific locations using a vacuum technique (with suction or heat) to promote energy flow.