The general theory is based on channels of energy that flow through the body. The energy that flows through the channels is called Qi (pronounced chee). The channels correlate to the organs and tedino-muscular system. When the energy flow is disrupted due to poor diet, medications, stress, trauma or other conditions, pain or illness result. Acupuncture focuses on correcting these imbalances by inserting ultra-thin needles under the skin to stimulate specific points along the channel. Stimulation of these points along the channel encourages and even flow of Qi, restoring the body's balance relieving pain and other symptoms.
Acupuncture treats and strengthens the physical condition, normalizes physiological functions, and controls pain. The aim of receiving of acupuncture is not just to eliminate or alleviate symptoms, but rather to treat the underlying cause, increase the ability to function, and improve the quality of life.
In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO (WHO) has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:
- lower back pain
- neck pain
- sciatica
- tennis elbow
- knee pain
- periarthritis of the shoulder
- sprains
- facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
- headache
- dental pain
- tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
- rheumatoid arthritis
- induction of labor
- correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
- morning sickness
- nausea and vomiting
- postoperative pain
- stroke
- essential hypertension
- primary hypotension
- renal colic
- leucopenia
- adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
- allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
- biliary colic
- depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
- acute bacillary dysentery
- primary dysmenorrhea
- acute epigastralgia
- peptic ulcer
- acute and chronic gastritis

The diagnosis is determined in part by using methods very similar to other health care practitioners: asking patients for their chief complaints and health history, performing a physical exam, such as ordering laboratory tests, x-rays and MRIs if necessary. Acupuncturists also have unique diagnostic methods, such as taking the patient's pulse on both wrists and observing the tongue, complexion and other signs. The pulses are felt on both hands. Each hand has three different pulses that correspond to the major body organs and functions. The practitioner will then explain the nature of your problem and the recommended treatment.
Acupuncture needles are anywhere from 1 to 3 inches long, ultra-fine and made from stainless steel. They are pre-sterilized, non-toxic, and disposable. When the needles are tapped into the skin, there may or may not be any sensation. Sensitivity depends on the location (hands and feet tend to be more sensitive) and the condition being treated. Typically, ten to twenty needles are placed in several different acupuncture points. They are usually left in for about 20-40 minutes. The goal is to normalize the circulation of Qi and blood by stimulation the energy point, which encourages the body's natural healing process. Stimulation of the needle is done by rotating the needles manually or attaching electrodes to send a weak electric current through the needles.
The number of treatments that a patient may receive depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of the complaint. Two or three treatments may be sufficient for an acute condition. On the other hand, a chronic condition may take a series of 5 to 15 treatments to be resolved. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing treatments over a long period of time. The following techniques may be included with the treatment: Moxa (burning herbs to promote the movement of qi), cupping, ear acupuncture, Tui na massage, and acupressure.
Patients should evaluate their progress after each session. Some relief should be apparent in three to six sessions if it is an acute condition or eight to twelve for more pervasive conditions. If there is no relief then the treatment plan will be modified or referred to an appropriate practitioner.
Pricing:
$125 initial consultation
$90 consecutive visits
15% off packages of 10 visits = $795
We accept some health insurance, some workman's compensation cases, HSA's
and Flex Spending Accounts, we give Superbills as well as accept all major
credit cards, paypal accounts, checks and cash.
SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC
Please visit my special website to learn more about community acupuncture:
www.santacruzcommunityacupuncture.com
Give us a call today to set up an appointment with LeTa B. Jussila, L.Ac: (831) 465-9088
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (If needed, I can see you at another time upon request)
Or make an appointment online. LeTa practices at the Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine & Chi Center.
Click HERE.
Her Curriculum Vitae here:
LeTa B. Jussila
615 Washington Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 239-9326
leta@santacruzintegrativemedicine.net
INTENT
I would like to start or be a part of a Chinese Medical Acupuncture Department within Google. My extensive background has given me the proven success of starting successful Acupuncture clinics and I have a strong desire to reach out to individuals in a corporate setting due to the clinical issues I am seeing in my current practice. The research has been done on not only the benefit to the individual’s health, but the cost-benefit analysis to the employer. I strongly feel corporate America cannot wait any longer in implementing Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine into their wellness programs immediately.
EDUCATION
Five Branches University San Jose, CA
(Candidate) Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Inner Light International Soquel, CA
Practitioner of Higher Consciousness
Five Branches Institute Santa Cruz, CA
Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Cape Cod Community College Barnstable, MA
Pre-requisites for medical school
San Francisco Computer Arts Institute San Francisco, CA
Graphic and Web Design
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies
Concentrations on Criminal Justice & the Environment
EXPERIENCE
2010-P SANTA CRUZ INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND CHI CENTER Santa Cruz, CA
Integrative and Holistic Medical Clinic and Sports Complex
Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist
- Private Chinese Medical practice
- Initiated, planned, launched and ran 12-week integrative health program “Thrive”
- Taught Qi Gong Classes in the Chi Center
2005-P FIRST LINE THERAPY Santa Cruz, CA
12-week chronic disease prevention health program
First Line Therapy Provider
- A program that addresses lifestyle-related, chronic health problems such as elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, overweight/obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and conditions related to aging
- Program includes monitoring body composition using a BioImpedance analyzer to monitor cellular health, HWR, Weight, Height, Blood Pressure, Physical fitness test, etc.
- Counseling and coaching in diet, nutrition, exercise and stress management
2008-P SANTA CRUZ CHALLEGNE Santa Cruz, CA
Integrative health and fitness program/contest
Founder, Partner & Certified Personal Trainer
- Designed, conceptualized, created and facilitated rewarding health program
- Coordinated 20 fitness studios, 15 guest health lectures & 20 sponsors
- Ran and oversaw all aspects of running a health program and contest
- Designed and developed website and email campaigns, social media
2006-P OPTIMAL HEALTH AND FITNESS, LLC Santa Cruz, CA
Health and fitness company
Owner, Doctor, Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, etc.
- Ran small private training gym
- Coordinated and managed different personal trainers, pilates/yoga instructors
- Designed outdoor fitness program, oversaw trainers
- Designed and developed website and email campaigns, social media
2002-P FIVE BRANCHES UNIVERSITY Santa Cruz, CA
Chinese Medical Clinic and Teaching Institution
Instructor, Clinical Supervisor, Chair of Continuing Education Department
- Teach masters level students holistic business course
- Oversee interns in private clinic
- Launched online continuing education department
2005 SANTA CRUZ CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Santa Cruz, CA
Holistic Healing Arts Center
Owner, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist
- Managed all aspects of the center
- Performed all treatments, herbal prescriptions, patient intakes and duties of Head Acupuncturist
- Led monthly staff meetings, conducted case presentations and consulted on difficult cases
- Hired and supervised administrative staff
- Designed and supervised construction of clinic facility
- Conducted community outreach and public relations to promote the clinic: public lectures, newsletters, promotional consultations and treatments, advertising and health fairs
- Designed and developed website and email campaigns, social media
- Developed, launched and ran local NADA project for veterans
2010-P SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE Santa Cruz, CA
Affordable acupuncture clinic
Founder, Licensed Acupuncturist
- Performed community-style acupuncture treatments
- This model allows low-income residents to access Chinese Medicine
- Designed and developed website and email campaigns, social media
- Offered packages, drop-ins, comfortable sacred healing space
2005 ZHEIJIANG HOSPITAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Huangzhou, CN
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Hospital
Licensed Acupuncturist Intern
- Studied modern clinical TCM (Herbs and Acupuncture) at an intensive "Clinical Practicum" in Huangzhou, China.
- Located at one of China’s most famous traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (with a university staff of 1225 faculty members)
- The program provided an extensive study of TCM practice in modern China.
- The training was focused mainly on TCM Acupuncture in an operating clinical setting with English translation provided.
- Acupuncture departments of high interest were: Neuromuscular Pain Management
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) #10935, California Acupuncture Board
Certified Personal Trainer, International Sports Science Association
Certificate in Integrative Sports Medicine, Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Certificate in the Five Elements, Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Certificate of study at the Zheijiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
Certificate in Healing Community Trauma with the NADA Protocol by Acupuncturists Without Borders
Clean Needle Technique Certification by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
First Aid/CPR/AED
Certified Qi Gong Instructor by Lee Holden/Santa Cruz Chi Center
Candidate for Doctoral of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Five Branches University of Traditional
Chinese Medicine
REFERENCES
Dr. Rachel Abrams, Medical Doctor, Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine and Chi Center (831) 818-7596
Lee Holden, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Qi Gong Master (408) 839-9490
Ronald Zaidman, Founder, Five Branches University (831) 818-4739
*other references available upon request. (have in-house Google references if desired)
OTHER SUCCESSES
Entrepreneur in developing Chinese Medical Database software for smart devices – 2010-P
Started Graduate-level scholarship for Chinese medical students - 2002
Started and ran the Washington Street Collective (10-year co-op housing project) 2002-P
OTHER SKILLS & NOTES
Classical Violinist 1977-P
Documentary Film Maker & Photographer 1986-P
Fluent in Medical Chinese (PinYin) 2002-P
Traveled through all of Europe, Vietnam, Laos, China & Tibet including the United States, Canada & Mexico
Born in Saigon, Vietnam to a French Father & Chinese Mother. Grew up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts

E-mail
(831) 222-0189