About

Dr. Maki Takashima is a licensed, board-certified naturopathic doctor and the founder of Natural Holistic Wellness Center. Dr. Takashima holds a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, one of the world’s leading natural health institutes. During her internships, she completed extensive clinical training with various primary care doctors at clinics including the Bastyr Center for Natural Health.

As a naturopathic doctor, Maki Takashima ND believes in knowing who her patients are, assisting them in understanding the underlying cause of their symptoms, and offering holistic, natural treatments specifically designed for each unique individual.

Dr. Takashima was born and raised in Japan. When visiting the central coast for the first time, she fell in love with the natural beauty and felt immediately at home. She is very excited to offer the best of Eastern and Western healing wisdoms and integrative medicine to local patients in Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Salinas, as well as to national and international patients.

Dr. Takashima is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and California Naturopathic Doctors Association. She is continuously integrating the latest medical information by attending courses, seminars, and pursuing postgraduate studies in women's health at the Institute for Women's Health and Integrative Medicine.
 

About

Rodney G. Sasaki MMQ, CMP is a native of Monterey County who has been a gifted healer for over 30 years. He holds a masters in Medical Qigong from the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He completed his clinical internship and residency at the International Institute of Medical Qigong in Monterey under Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson, DMQ, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Medical Qigong.

Rodney holds a massage practitioner certificate and will receive massage therapist certification in 2012. He also holds a certication in acupressure from Fiver Branches Institute. Having studied Chinese martial arts for over 30 years, Rodney is a Sifu (respected teacher) in Tai Chi Chuan and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.

Rodney's goal is to provide holistic healing for mind, body, soul and spirit. He combines Eastern and Western medicine to provide the optimum health.

Medical Qigong

Medical Qigong is an ancient form of Chinese energetic medicine, and is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and medical massage. As with the other "Branches" of TCM, healing occurs through balancing qi or electromagnetic energy which surrounds and pervades all living creatures.

The goal of qigong is to correct these bio-energetic imbalances and blockages. This enables the body to strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system, relieve pain, regulate hormones, and strengthen and release deep-seated emotions and stress.

Medical qigong therapy consists of treatment by a practitioner to regulate the client's qi. After the treatment the client will be given qigong prescriptions to assist in their ongoing healing. Tailored specifically to the client medical qigong exercises use physical movement, breathing methods and mental intention to correct and restore the function in the body.

Medical qigong is a complete system of health care that recognizes the root causes of symptoms or disease, and treats the client as a whole. Practiced as an excellent adjunct to Western medicine, Chinese medicine may successfully treat people with conditions which Western medicine finds resistant or ambiguous.

In China and more recently in the United States, doctors have applied qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals suffering from a variety of ailments. Medical qigong therapy and prescriptions can be used to treat people with cancer and help reduce or eliminate side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It will help in treating cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease and post-stroke syndrome. It is especially useful in treating any kind of chronic pain, and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Like any other system of health care, qigong is not a panacea but a highly effective health care practice. Many health care professionals recommend qigong as an important form of complementary and alternative medicine.