Jon Fellman, L.Ac. ~Acupuncture, Herbology and Bodywork~

08/09/2016

Its not really that hard to understand that this works. Even if you take away the effect that the suction directly has on local vascular and lymphatic circulation, you can also think of the suction as a very effective means of stretching the fascia and tight muscles.

But if you do look at it with a bigger and wider lens, cupping pulls blood into an area. Because of over work and or trauma, or just the opposite of not enough activity, the blood supply to effected tissues decreases and the fascia gets knotted and scarred, further limiting movement and can become a vicious cycle. Putting cups over these areas can reverse these effects. The tissues get saturated with fresh blood while the vacuum pulls stagnant blood out of the area. As new blood is forced into the tissues around the cups the body will begin to develop new blood vessels in a process called neovascularization... this is possibly why cupping can have a lasting effect.
As the new vessels form they will have the capability to feed the tissues with nutrients and oxygen which are needed to keep them healthy and supple. Another thing that happens in this process is a controlled inflammation, called sterile inflammation (you can think of it as a "micro trauma" to the body. Of course these days people think that inflammation is bad and something to always avoid, but actually the inflammatory process is the first part of healing. In this situation the body releases white blood cells, fibroblasts and other chemicals that promote healing. This very temporary inflamation is not a bad thing. As I mentioned before, the fascia and muscles and tendons are also being stretched with cupping. In certain cases soft silicone cups can be used in conjunction with movement, or the cups themselves can be moved around an area or along a muscle.
So , cupping is a technique that works on several levels and has proven to be a priceless tool in my own practice. Of course, effectively treating chronic and or acute injuries with something as simple as cupping is NOT as expensive as a course of meds or invasive surgical techniques... so it's not in the vested interest of the people making billions off of these industries to admit that something like this, Gua sha, or Moxibustion works( let alone Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs).

Some say ancient suction therapy soothes muscle pain; research can’t rule out placebo effect 

06/27/2016

Treating people on Saturdays and Mondays in San Francisco at Active space... The space is small so only one table and limited open slots. Contact me if you would like some work! Acupuncture? Bodywork? Cupping? Tok Sen (see below video)? Guasha? Moxibustion? Herbal consultation?

Thai old style massage wooden mallet and peg

03/03/2015

Pricing Schedule

Private Acupuncture
Per Session = $85-$115

Massage
A combination of techniques strongly rooted in Thai Massage, but also including Tui Na, Shiatsu, joint mobilizations/manipulations, Pin and Stretch techniques, and PNF,
(90 minutes) = $135

Acupuncture + Massage = "The Works"
2 sided treatment that can include cupping, guasha, and moxibustion as needed). This treatment will last 90 minutes including about 30 minutes where the patient is resting alone with needles.
Per treatment = $150

SPECIAL!
Private acupuncture and Massage MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP = Includes 4 acupuncture, massage, or “The Works” treatments at a 20% discount.

*** If you are realistically a low income patient, don't hesitate to ask me and we can definitely discuss a plan that will work for you.

02/20/2015

The fundraiser for the residents displaced by the fire on January 28th was extremely successful. Yesterday a fundraiser began for the merchants whose businesses were in the building.

"You have 10 minutes to go inside and get what you can.” Those words, spoken by a San Francisco Firefighter, still haunt Ramon Valle, whose business was completely destroyed in the four-al…

02/17/2015

The businesses on the 2nd floor of the Mission Mercado building have still not been allowed access into the building following the fire on January 28th, but we have learned that most everything in our acupuncture office has been destroyed.
We are still trying to find a place to house Mission Community Acupuncture at a price that allows us to continue to provide affordable and effective healthcare.
Please let us know if you, or someone you may know has information about a space that would allow us to sustain MCA in a time when people need the care, but have so little extra money to pay for it.

01/17/2015

upcoming in 2015!!

Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga & Thai Massage
Valentine's Day Thai Partner Yoga
Led by: Jon Fellman with Karen Johnson
No experience necessary
Come with a partner, or come alone and we’ll pair you up!
Saturday, February 14
1:00 – 4:00
Experience giving and receiving the the mutual support of Partner Yoga and the deep passive stretches of Thai massage. We will warm up and start to work together with some partnered asana, moving into a full bodywork sequence using rhythmic compression, joint mobilizations, and passive stretches.
Metta is a fundamental concept in Thai Medicine meaning ‘Loving Kindness’. When Thai massage is practiced, this state of Metta is invoked… the wish that all sentient beings be happy, and the hope that a person’s suffering will diminish.


I will also be teaching a 3 day workshop in March:

Thai Yoga Bodywork

3 Saturdays, 1:00 – 4:00
March 7
March 21
April 4
No Experience Necessary
Thai Yoga bodywork or Nuad Phaen Boran, is a beautiful ancient form of therapy that utilizes rhythmic compression, passive mobilization, and flowing body stretches which are similar to assisted yoga asanas. In this workshop you learn to give, and receive deep passive stretches in the traditional Northern Thai yoga style.
Restore ease of movement. Improve flexibility. Combining meditation, yoga, and compassion, Thai yoga bodywork leads to greater physical health, grace, and energy for both the practitioner and the receiver. In this series of workshops one will learn how to give a full body massage covering the supine, prone, side, and sitting positions.


- more information available at http://www.barefootmovement.com/

Flow Yoga Teacher Training in Oakland, CA by Leah Gillman of Barefoot Movement -- Yoga Alliance Certification.

01/12/2015

2105 Prices:

Private Acupuncture = $80
(Prone and Supine acupuncture treatment)

Communal Acupuncture $25
In our open room and treated on a comfy recliner

Massage
A combination of techniques strongly rooted in Thai Massage, but also including Tui Na, Shiatsu, joint mobilizations/manipulations, Pin and Stretch techniques, and PNF,
(60 minutes) = $90
(90 minutes) = $130

Acupuncture + Massage ( per treatment) = $100
The Works- (2 sided treatment that can include cupping, guasha, and moxibustion as needed). This treatment will last 90 minutes including about 30 minutes where the patient is resting alone with needles.

SPECIAL! Private acupuncture and Massage MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP = Includes 4 acupuncture, massage, or “The Works” treatments at a 20% discount.

10/05/2014

http://www.cuppingtherapy.org/pages/discolorations.htm

The most common misunderstanding regarding one of the most powerful and beneficial after effects of Cupping, is the marks that sometimes result.

06/19/2014

Thai Massage class tomorrow at The Open Matt 7pm-9pm, and every Tuesday/Thursday! Come Check it out. Very relevent skill to learn for people who already do a bodywork modality, or yoga teachers, martial artists, dancers, acrobats, or just people that are interested in learning this ancient, amazing healing art.
https://www.facebook.com/theopenmatt