FAQ

As defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, integrative medicine “combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.” According to Dr. Weil, the world’s leading proponent of integrative medicine, it is defined as “healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.” The defining principles of integrative medicine: Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process. All factors that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration, including body, mind, spirit and community. Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body's innate healing response. Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive are to be used whenever possible. A philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically. Recognition that good medicine is based in good science, inquiry-driven, and open to new paradigms. Use of the broader concepts of promotion of health and the prevention of illness as well as the treatment of disease. Training of practitioners to be models of health and healing, committed to the process of self-exploration and self-development

Integrative Sports Medicine is a combination of alternative medicine treatments focused on wellness related to movement and mobility. Regenerative treatments activate the body’s natural healing abilities. Whether you’re a professional/amateur athlete, an active weekend warrior, or a grandmother dealing with knee pain, integrative sports medicine offers the chance to restore your health, return to your dynamic life, and keep you there! Features of integrative sports medicine: Post-injury care and future injury prevention Optimize your health and activity potential Integrate traditional western medicine with complementary and alternative methods

Contrary to popular belief, the term “sports medicine” is not exclusive to athletes and sports-related injuries. Most of our patients do not play competitive sports, but deal with acute or chronic injuries from overuse or exercise, training or even from their jobs. Whether you’re hurting from a repetitive stress injury at work or an elbow injury from a fall on the ice, sports medicine programs use the same diagnostic tools and non-operative treatments they use with pro athletes to help the body heal.

Yes, we do. Dr. Vaughan has a great deal of experience with pediatric patients as a first responder and paramedic. He has also worked in the ER/Level 1 Trauma Center at Arnold Palmer's Hospital for Children. Kristin also has a lot of experience helping high school athletes prevent and rehabilitate injury with massage and TECAR therapies.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let the Front Desk know as soon as you can by calling or texting 352-901-4513. We do have a 48-hour cancellation policy, so appointments altered within 48 hours of the scheduled treatment time will result in a fee.

Absolutely! You can also see a different practitioner each week if that works better with your schedule. The Yinova team works collaboratively, so any practitioner you see will have access to your chart and will be fully informed about your case, enabling them to provide you with continuity of care.

Acupuncture is a complete medical protocol focused on correcting imbalances of energy in the body. Since its inception more than 2,500 years ago, it has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve general health. In 1997, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) documented and publicized acupuncture’s safety and efficacy for treating a wide range of conditions. It is an effective form of medical treatment that has evolved into a holistic health care system.

Acupuncture enables your body to induce its own healing processes to improve your health and wellness. Acupuncture can be used to improve your health and wellbeing to: Promote natural healing Alleviate pain Prevent, diagnose and treat disease Improve general health Improve the body’s functions Promote natural self-healing Stimulate acupoints Prepare for surgical procedures Heal post-surgically Increase energy Improve holistic health

The first appointment includes a consultation and your first treatment. Your acupuncture physician will get a complete health history and establish a holistic evaluation of the condition for which you are seeking treatment. The first appointment may last between 1 and 1.5 hours, and all subsequent treatments are approximately 1-hour in length. For more information on your first visit, please visit our First Visit page.

Most of our patients see us weekly; however, each case is unique. Your practitioner will craft a clear treatment plan for you and will tell you how often you should have treatment. Everyone responds to treatment differently so your results will depend on your particular situation. There are certain issues that can be addressed in a visit or two; other cases might require more treatments until your goal is met. Your practitioner will be able to guide you on the results you can expect. Often, patients will notice relief from a specific symptom straight away, though we may need more time to work on the underlying root of the issue.

Yes, we do! Our Starter Pack includes your initial consultation & first acupuncture treatment + one additional acupuncture treatment, for $249. We also offer memberships; you can learn more both packages and memberships here.

The best way to prepare is to eat a snack or a light meal before treatment so your body has sufficient energy to work with. It’s best to wear loose clothing so that your arms and legs are accessible for treatment. After treatment we recommend you drink a glass of water.

Acupuncture treatments are not painful. Acupuncture is performed with hair-thin needles that do not resemble hypodermic needles used for injections. During acupuncture treatments, patients often fall asleep or are in deep relaxation. The sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies. When the acupuncturist places your needles it is common to feel a little pinch, mild sting or dull achy sensation; it should not be painful (it is not the same as the pain associated with hypodermic needles). Some people are more sensitive than others, so we adjust our technique and the gauge of needles according to each person’s response. We’ve needled many nervous first-timers and children and their responses are most commonly “that’s it? I barely felt anything!”

Not to worry! We have teated many people who are afraid of needles. We offer a variety of needle-free treatments that produce results comparable to acupuncture, including micro-point stimulation.

In short, no, it’s not a placebo effect. Acupuncture works on animals, and animals don’t have beliefs about acupuncture (yes, veterinary acupuncture exists – and is common for dogs, cats, and horses in particular). Note: an acupuncturist must also be a doctor of veterinary medicine to treat animals.

Acupuncture Injection Therapy (APIT) is an integration, or blend, of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), homeopathic medicine, and conventional medicine and involves the injection of vitamins, minerals, sterile saline solutions, and homeopathic compounds into trigger points and traditional acupuncture points. This therapy is adjusted and customized to meet the needs of the patient and can help to: Prevent or treat illness Alleviate pain Improve physiological function (movement/mobility) Improve energy To offer APIT as a therapy, licensed Acupuncture Physicians must complete an additional 60 hours of academic and clinical training beyond their traditional education to become certified in this technique. Our Acupuncture Physicians have the required certification from the Florida Board of Acupuncture to perform AIT. Additionally, as a paramedic, Dr. Vaughan has thousands of hours administering injections to both adult and pediatric patients. Some of the most common uses for APIT include: Immune system support Metabolism boosts Injury recovery Post-surgery recovery Scarring and tissue damage Inflammation Arthritis and osteoarthritis Immune boost Vitamin supplementation (i.e. B12, B vitamin complex) Plantar Fasciitis Fatigue Migraines Local and radiating pain, for example: Fibromyalgia Low Back Pain Knee Pain Shoulder Pain Hip Pain Sciatica ...and more Florida State Statute - 64B1-4.012 Acupoint Injection Therapies Effective March 1, 2002, adjunctive therapies shall include acupoint injection therapy which shall mean the injection of herbs, homeopathics, and other nutritional supplements in the form of sterile substances into acupuncture points by means of hypodermic needles but not intravenous therapy to promote, maintain, and restore health; for pain management and palliative care; for acupuncture anesthesia; and to prevent disease. Rulemaking Authority 457.104 FS. Law Implemented 457.102 FS. History–New 2-18-01.

Intramuscular (IM) shots are traditionally administered in the arm, hip, or glute muscles. Acupoint injection therapy (APIT), as the name implies, is the injection of vitamins and homeopathic solutions into acupuncture points.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or just a weekend warrior who enjoys a run, everyone will benefit from incorporating sports massage into their schedule and as part of their training regime on two levels; it will help prevent injury in the first place, and it will help you recover from the demands you’ve put on yourself. Prevention of injury Perhaps the most important benefit, especially for athletes -- sports massage prevents injury by improving muscle flexibility and range of motion. Don't let an injury slow you down; prevent it from happening with massage therapy. Rehabilitation from injury Sports massage reduces recovery time, sometimes dramatically, by shortening the time it takes for injuries to heal, and makes the after effects “better.” Sports massage reduces the swelling and edema associated with soft tissue injuries. After a serious injury, sports massage helps form strong pliable scar tissue instead of the usual random stiff scar tissue, so that range of motion and tissue extensibility are maintained. Improved performance Sports massage helps athletic performance . Well-kept muscles will allow you to run faster, jump higher, swim further, walk longer, lift heavier, or improve that golf swing. Sports massage breaks down muscle adhesions, relieves knots, increases range of motion, decreases pain, increases circulation, stretches tight muscles, reduces stiffness and generally reduces the negative after effects of hard training. Whatever your activity or sport you will benefit, and your muscles will thank you. Reduced muscle soreness That terrible pain known as DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is the reason why it hurts to move a day or two after a workout. Massage helps to flush waste products from your muscles and the muscle tissue will relax helping them repair and in less pain. Improved movement Massage increases the movement of your joints by lengthening and stretching out your muscles. It also increases the synovial fluid inside the joints.

No, not usually. You may feel some discomfort during or after a sports massage, but it should not cause significant pain. If you feel pain beyond what some call "the good kind of hurt," tell your therapist right away. Your therapist will work up to your individual capacity for pressure. For example if you just ran a marathon they know you can’t take a lot of pressure on your legs. If they see you wincing or resisting their strokes, they know to back off. But sometimes individuals develop knots, contractures, or trigger points that require stronger bodywork and may cause discomfort. If this is the case, the therapist and client communicate about pain levels, working together to make the session as productive as possible, as pain free as can be. But all of this aside, a typical Sports Massage is a pleasurable experience, not a painful one.

MLD is a specific massage technique with gentle, skin-stretching movements. These movements transport the lymphatic fluid from your swollen areas in the direction of the lymph flow and in areas that are draining well. This is called ‘decongesting.’ MLD starts in the areas of the non-swollen parts of your body to open the well-working lymph collectors, make the lymph flow faster, and induce a suction effect. Your therapist will continue with MLD in your swollen body parts to direct the fluid to the open lymph collectors. The gentle, rhythmic motions on your skin can also help to soften any hardened (fibrotic) tissue. If you are interested in MLD, book an appointment with Ketresia.

Strengthened Immune System One of the main benefits of the lymph system is the removal of harmful waste and toxins from the body. For this to occur, lymph has to be flowing smoothly. If you’ve been getting sick more often lately, it could be your lymph nodes to blame. Try an MLD massage to improve your immunity and feel better. More Energy Many people report feeling more energy after a manual lymphatic drainage treatment. It can last for a few hours to a few days. Many people choose to incorporate MLD into their weekly or monthly massages for this great boost of energy. Better Sleep MLD massages reduce pain and stress and promote healing, which makes them perfect for anyone who has been having trouble sleeping. Resolved Sinus Issues MLD is highly decongestive. When lymph is not flowing properly, you may experience sinus or allergy issues. Draining the lymph nodes that work with the sinuses can help get everything flowing smoothly again and offer some well-deserved relief. Lymphedema Prevention When the normal flow of lymph is seriously interrupted (by medical treatment, infection, cancer treatments, surgeries, or health or medical conditions), you could end up with lymphedema, which causes major swelling in one or more limbs. Compression therapy is typically used to prevent lymphedema, but lymphatic massage can also greatly help reduce swelling and prevent lymphedema from getting worse. Some studies also suggest MLD can also be preventative. Reduction of Swelling in the Legs Often, poor leg circulation is automatically chalked up to poor vein health. However, it could you the lymph nodes in your legs – and not just your veins – that are the culprit. If you’ve started to notice swelling, pain, or discomfort in your legs, see your MLD therapist for a specific MLD treatment that will help clear up the lymph in your legs. Healing After Surgery Lymph massages have been known to stimulate healing and regenerate tissue at a scar site after surgery. In addition, it can detoxify the body and reduce swelling – both issues which are usually experienced after surgery. Once you’ve been cleared by your doctor, book a massage with our qualified, MLD-trained therapists. If you are interested in MLD, book an appointment with Ketresia.

Have you ever injured yourself and then rubbed it to make the pain go away? The pain doesn’t actually go away -- the surrounding nerves are stimulated by the friction and the pain signal from the injured area gets confused. The pain remains the same, but the brain doesn’t register it as much. When you get TECAR Therapy, an electrode head will be placed on the site of your pain, and you will feel a warming sensation. This creates the same effect and it works for much more intense pain. This nerve stimulation can stop your nerves compounding the effect of the initial pain and can ease the inflammation, therefore reducing pain. In addition, the heat speeds up your metabolism. This causes increased, oxegenated bloodflow. The result is that more oxygen, and other healing properties of your body’s natural systems, are rushed to the site. The waste is also removed more quickly. The overall result is that your pain and inflammation is reduced significantly, and the injury is healed more quickly.

The beneficial effects of TECAR therapy are mostly used in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and pain management: Post-surgery rehabilitation Sports traumas Bruises and sprains Muscle and tendon disorders Neuropathies Scar tissue Spine and peripheral joint disorders Vascular and lymphatic system disorders Orthopaedic disorders of the peripheral nervous system Acute and chronic pain Inflammatory conditions

Intravenous (IV) therapy is the fastest way to give your body the nutrition and hydration it needs. The process allows the vitamins to go right into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive process, to give you faster, more effective results. This can be done to achieve any end-goal: rehydration, replenish your vitamins, combat muscle fatigue, reduce the effects of aging, and even weight loss.

We can’t stop the aging process, but we can minimize the appearance of it. Using facial acupuncture and/or nutraceutical injection, we can help reduce the appearance of: Fine lines & wrinkles Dark circles Neck and chest aging/wrinkles Cellulite

This all-natural formula is more than a filler — it encourages the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid (the skin’s natural hydration). It helps skin look its best, dramatically slowing the aging process and leaving your complexion smooth and radiant. Patients may notice a rejuvenation of sagging skin, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and a decrease in uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation, and sun spots. Other cosmetic benefits include the flushing of toxins and dead skin cells, speeding up the metabolism and stimulating blood circulation, restoring and balancing the body’s immune radicals to prevent wrinkles, and deeply nourishing the skin.

Some insurance policies cover acupuncture or massage for certain conditions. Although we don’t process insurance in our office, we can provide you with a receipt with the correct billing codes on it, which will help you be reimbursed for your treatment. You can also use an HSA or FSA card.

Prices for individual services range between $29-$209. We also offer packages and memberships. You can see a full break down of our pricing here.