Carlsbad, CA

What We Treat

A complete toolkit of evidence-informed and traditional Chinese medicine therapies — each one chosen for its mechanism, not its marketing.

Acupuncture Electro-Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine Severe & Traumatic Injury Personal Injury Shockwave Therapy Fire Cupping Gua Sha Facial Acupuncture

The foundation of everything we do.

Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture uses ultra-fine needles placed at specific points along the body's meridian system to restore the flow of qi, reduce pain, and activate the body's own healing mechanisms. Rick's approach integrates classical TCM theory with a thorough understanding of Western anatomy and neuroscience — producing results that are both measurable and lasting.

Conditions Treated

Chronic & acute pain

Headaches & migraines

Anxiety & stress

Insomnia

Digestive disorders

Hormonal imbalances

Immune support

Post-surgical recovery

Book This Treatment

Amplified needle therapy for faster, deeper pain relief.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture takes traditional needling to the next level by passing a precise, low-frequency electrical current between pairs of inserted needles. This continuous stimulation dramatically amplifies the body's pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory response — making it one of the most clinically effective tools available for moderate-to-severe pain, nerve damage, and stubborn inflammatory conditions that standard acupuncture alone may not fully resolve.

Best For

Chronic & severe pain unresponsive to other treatments

Nerve pain, neuropathy & radiculopathy

Sciatica & disc-related pain

Post-surgical pain & nerve damage

Inflammatory arthritis & joint pain

Sports injuries & muscle tears

Fibromyalgia & widespread inflammation

Stroke rehabilitation & motor recovery

Book This Treatment

Precision botanical therapy. Thousands of years of clinical refinement.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most sophisticated and evidence-supported botanical systems in the world. Rick prescribes custom herbal formulas — drawn from a pharmacopoeia of over 300 individual herbs — that are tailored to your specific pattern, constitution, and current presentation. Herbs extend the work of acupuncture between sessions and address conditions that needles alone cannot fully resolve.

Best For

Chronic digestive disorders (IBS, SIBO, reflux)

Hormonal imbalances & menstrual irregularities

Anxiety, depression & sleep disorders

Autoimmune & inflammatory conditions

Respiratory conditions & recurrent illness

Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne)

Fatigue & adrenal depletion

Fertility support

Book This Treatment

Complex cases. Comprehensive care.

Severe & Traumatic Injury

Some injuries require more than a standard treatment protocol. Rick specializes in complex, multi-system cases — severe trauma, workers' compensation injuries, post-surgical pain, and conditions that have failed to respond to conventional medical treatment. His approach combines the full toolkit of TCM modalities with a deep understanding of the Western medical context.

Conditions Treated

Workers' compensation injuries

Post-surgical pain & recovery

Spinal cord & nerve injuries

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Traumatic brain injury sequelae

Severe musculoskeletal trauma

Chronic pain unresponsive to other treatment

Multi-system trauma

Book This Treatment

Additional Modalities

The Full Toolkit of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Beyond the core services, Rick draws on the complete spectrum of TCM modalities — each one a precision tool with its own mechanism, its own indications, and its own role in a well-designed treatment plan.

Auto accident recovery. No out-of-pocket cost.

Personal Injury

If you've been injured in an auto accident, you may be entitled to acupuncture treatment at no cost to you — billed directly on a personal injury lien against the at-fault party's insurance. Rick has extensive experience treating the full spectrum of auto accident injuries and works directly with personal injury attorneys to ensure seamless billing and documentation.

Conditions Treated

Whiplash & cervical strain

Low back pain & disc injuries

Shoulder & rotator cuff injuries

Headaches & post-concussion symptoms

Nerve pain & radiculopathy

Soft tissue injuries

Anxiety & PTSD from accident trauma

Sleep disruption

Ask About This Treatment

Non-invasive. Evidence-backed. Remarkably effective.

Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) delivers high-energy acoustic waves to damaged tissue, breaking up calcifications, stimulating collagen synthesis, and triggering a powerful healing response in chronic injuries that have stopped responding to other treatments. It is one of the most effective non-surgical interventions available for musculoskeletal pain.

Conditions Treated

Plantar fasciitis

Achilles tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinitis

Tennis & golfer's elbow

Patellar tendinopathy

Hip bursitis & greater trochanteric pain

Calcific tendinitis

Chronic muscle trigger points

Ask About This Treatment

Ancient suction therapy for deep tissue release.

Fire Cupping

Fire cupping uses glass cups and a flame to create a vacuum seal on the skin, lifting the underlying tissue to break up adhesions, increase circulation, and release deep muscular tension. It is one of the most powerful tools in TCM for addressing chronic tightness and stagnation that needles alone cannot fully resolve.

Best For

Tight, knotted back & shoulder muscles

Chronic neck tension & stiffness

IT band & hip tightness

Respiratory congestion & cough

Post-workout muscle soreness

Fibromyalgia & widespread pain

Ask About This Treatment

Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy rooted in TCM.

Gua Sha

Gua sha uses a smooth-edged tool to apply firm, unidirectional strokes across the skin, breaking up fascial adhesions, releasing muscle tension, and dramatically increasing local circulation. It is one of the fastest ways to address acute and chronic pain in the muscles and connective tissue — and a powerful tool for resolving the kind of deep, stubborn tightness that resists massage and stretching.

Best For

Neck & upper back tightness

Shoulder impingement & rotator cuff pain

Headaches & migraines

Plantar fasciitis & heel pain

IT band syndrome

Fever & acute illness (traditional use)

Scar tissue & post-surgical adhesions

Ask About This Treatment

Natural rejuvenation from the inside out.

Facial Acupuncture

Facial acupuncture — also called cosmetic acupuncture — uses ultra-fine needles placed in the face, scalp, and body to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation, and restore the muscle tone and elasticity that diminish with age. It is a whole-body treatment that addresses the internal imbalances driving visible aging, not just the surface.

Best For

Fine lines & wrinkles

Loss of skin elasticity & firmness

Uneven skin tone & dullness

Puffiness & under-eye bags

Acne & rosacea

Jaw tension & TMJ

Drooping eyelids & facial asymmetry

Ask About This Treatment

Not Sure Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Rick will assess your condition and recommend the most effective approach at your first visit.

Book a Consultation