About the Mi Lu Center
The Mi Lu Center is owned and operated by Jamie Jackson, L.Ac., Dipl. OM. The center's mission is to provide affordable alternative health care to the city of Chattanooga by offering Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. The Mi Lu Center is conveniently located at Nutrition World's Wellness Corner. To make an appointment, please call 303.328.5869 or fill out our online contact form. We are open by appointment only.
Hope to see you soon!
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
The use of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to treat pain, nausea, and disease processes dates back several millennia in China, Japan, and other areas of Asia.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) addresses the body by treating the root cause of disease by balancing your body's Qi (pronounced Chee) and blood. Qi and blood flow through your body in pathways called meridians. When your Qi and blood are blocked in these meridians, or there is a deficient level of Qi and blood, then your body becomes unbalanced. It type of unbalance that can cause various disease processes.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for over 5,000 years to treat many disease processes. During an acupuncture treatment, thin, solid metal needles are inserted into various acupuncture points along meridian pathways to manipulate the Qi.
Your acupuncturists Chinese medical diagnosis determines where the needles are placed, how long the needles are retained for and if another modality of Chinese Medicine should be used (i.e. gua sha, cupping, tui na, electrical stimulation, bleeding, moxibustion or herbal therapy).
Herbal Medicine
There are over 300 Chinese herbs that are used as food therapy (not drugs) daily in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These herbs can be used singularly or combined to create various formulas. They can be found in their raw form, powdered, or in pills if ingested. Or, in pastes, plasters, balms, lineaments, oils, or patches if applied topically. Your Chinese medical practitioner will determine which herbal formula is best for you based on the presentation of your tongue and pulse.
Fire Cupping Therapy
Fire cupping is a modality in Traditional Chinese Medicine that is used to treat a variety of conditions. Most commonly, fire cupping is used to aid with pain, digestive disorders and cough.
A glass cup is heated by using a wand soaked in alcohol and a flame. Once the cup hits your skin, the air inside the cup will cool, creating a vacuum. The cups can stay in place for several minutes. Please let your therapist know if you are interested in trying fire cupping during your acupuncture treatment.
What to Expect for Your First Visit
For your first visit, please arrive at the The Mi Lu Center 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to fill out the appropriate paperwork and plan on spending about 60 minutes with us. During your first visit, your practitioner will review an extensive intake form with you. Please don’t be shy, the more information you can provide, the more accurate diagnosis your practitioner can make.
Next, your acupuncturist will look at your tongue and feel your pulses. Tongue and pulse diagnosis is a tool used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to determine a differential diagnosis. Based on your past medical history, your chief complaint and your tongue and pulse presentation, your acupuncturist will determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you. The treatment may include an herbal formula, cupping, gua sha, electrical stimulation of the needles or moxibustion. Dietary or lifestyle recommendations may be offered at the end of your appointment.
To prepare for your treatment:
- Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Please drink plenty of water throughout the day and have a light snack 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
- Do not brush you tongue the morning of your treatment.
If you still need to schedule your first appointment call 303.328.5869 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about acupuncture, Chinese herbal medications and The Mi Lu Center. Click each of the questions below to see the answer.