Menu

Treatment Methods

Every day, millions of adults deal with chronic pain, or pain that lasts for a long time. Prescription medications are often effective for alleviating short-term pain, such as severe headaches or pain associated with muscle trauma. However, they may not work as well for chronic pain. In addition, these drugs may have so many side effects that people with chronic pain often avoid using them. If chronic pain is left untreated, though, it can cause sleep problems, anxiety, depression, difficulty doing everyday activities or other problems. Fortunately, functional medicine offers many treat methods that are drug-free alternatives to help people manage their pain. These may work for short-term pain, as well.

Before you undergo any alternative treatments, check with your chiropractic doctor or health care provider. They can tell you whether these drug-free options might interfere with your current treatments or cause unnecessary side effects. Please read on for more information on some of the treatment methods that can be used in functional medicine care.   

 

  • Yoga

    The physical poses that come to mind when most Americans think of yoga originated thousands of years ago in India. Originally they served to make the body strong and supple enough — and the mind patient enough — to sit for long bouts of meditation. Nowadays, people practice yoga poses for various

    Read more
  • Nutritional Supplements

    We all need vitamins and minerals to sustain good health and keep our bodies functioning properly. These nutrients are what our bodies need to grow, repair, heal and sustain our body’s cells, systems, organs and skeleton. The problem is that many of us do not consume enough to maintain optimal health,

    Read more
  • Tai Chi

    Tai chi is a gentle form of exercise that evolved from martial arts. First developed in China, people all over the world now enjoy the health benefits of this slow, flowing practice. You might see students practicing tai chi outside, in parks or on beaches The word “chi” means life force in Chinese.

    Read more
  • Mind-Body Techniques

    When it comes to staying healthy, your body is not the only piece of the puzzle. Your mind — and its connection to your body — have an important role to play as well. The Mind-Body Connection This mind-body connection means that your thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs can all affect the

    Read more
  • Massage

    Massage dates back at least to the second century B.C., as it’s described in ancient Chinese texts. Practitioners in India and Egypt developed their own methods of massage. In fact, all over the world, people use their hands and mechanical devices to improve circulation, unknot muscles, reduce pain

    Read more
  • Lifestyle Practices

    While spinal manipulation is a chiropractor’s primary tool, functional medicine chiropractors also assess their patients’ lifestyles. Chiropractic care that focuses on functional medicine is holistic. This means that when you visit a functional medicine chiropractor, he or she will want to know about

    Read more
  • Exercise

    If you are dealing with long-term chronic pain, it is likely that the last thing you want to think about is exercising. However, staying physically active is important for your overall health and in preventing the onset of other conditions like heart disease and obesity. An appropriate exercise program

    Read more
  • Drug-Free Alternatives for Pain Management

    Every day, millions of adults deal with chronic pain, or pain that lasts for a long time. Prescription medications are often effective for alleviating short-term pain, such as severe headaches or pain associated with muscle trauma. However, they may not work as well for chronic pain. In addition, these

    Read more
  • Diet

    Most people know that eating a well-balanced, healthy diet can reduce your risk of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. However, the foods you eat may also provide relief from chronic pain or keep you from developing certain types of pain, such as low-back pain. Eating a Healthy

    Read more
  • Aromatherapy

    Scents play an important role in our lives. The pungent smell of certain spices can bring on hunger cravings. The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies may trigger long-forgotten childhood memories. However, certain smells may also have health benefits, from relieving pain to reducing depression.

    Read more
  • Acupuncture

    Acupuncture is a type of treatment that stimulates points on the body to relieve pain in other areas. The most common method uses very thin, metal needles to penetrate the skin. Acupuncture is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, and is used for treating pain and other health problems. What

    Read more
  • Acupressure

    Acupressure is a type of massage that has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. It is used by chiropractors and other health practitioners to help the body heal itself and provide relief from chronic pain and stress. What Is Acupressure? During acupressure, a chiropractor

    Read more
  • Strength Training

    Whatever your age, strength training is an activity that provides many health benefits for both men and women. Strength training can be done by people who are in good health, as well as by those who have health concerns — such as arthritis or chronic pain. Combined with regular aerobic exercise, doing

    Read more
  • Stress Management

    Most people have experienced stress at some point in their life. However, what you may not realize is that stress can also have a big impact on your health. Stress can cause many of the symptoms that you blame on illness — such as difficulty sleeping, depression or even changes in your sex drive. The

    Read more
No form settings found. Please configure it.

New Patient Special $52, You Save 85%

Comprehensive Wellness Evaluation / Consultation + First Treatment (Regularly $360)

Meet Your Doctor, Dr. Joan Kim Wagner PhD, LAc — 3rd Generation Master Acupuncturist

  • Dr.
    Joan Kim-Wagner
    Executive Director of Evergreen Wellness
    Dr. Joan Kim-Wagner, L.Ac, Ph.D is a third generation acupuncturist whose family instilled in her the dictate to, “Help others with love and holistic guidance.” Dr. Kim-Wagner earned her Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Dong-Guk University in Los Angeles. She earned her Ph.D. in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Yuin University in Southern California. She is a board certified acupuncturist in the state of California, where she has been in private practice since 2003 and is nationally certified through the NCCA. She continues to revolutionize the field of acupuncture and increase her own knowledge through ongoing study with numerous acupuncturist Masters from around the world.

Los AngelesTop-Rated Acupuncturist, Doctor Joan Kim Wagner PhD, LAc

5 Star Reviews of Evergreen Acupuncture & Wellness Center

  • "I originally went to Dr. Joan Kim-Wagner for chronic neck pain. I have to say I was quite skeptical, but also desperate to get relief and nothing else was working.She is extremely knowledgeable about the human body and has fixed every complaint I have brought to her attention. That was over a year ago. Since then less than a few weeks into being treated 3 times a week I had gone from chronic pain taking 3 medications to minimal or no pain and occasionally one medication. She has also been managing my blood pressure for which I was taking 3 different medications, now down to two. The idea is to get off of all meds completely. My weight and physical condition has improved tremendously. I only visit once a week now."
    Mike W. Los Angeles, CA
  • "Joan Wagner is a wonderful, experienced acupuncturist! She helps me with my Multiple Sclerosis- permanent disability. Thanks to Joan Wagner’s acupuncture, her loving, caring attitude, I don’t take MS steroids. It helps me to live a happy and healthy life."
    Sarah J. Los Angeles, CA
  • "I'm going to Dr.Kim for more energy and anti-aging. So far my experience has been very good.Very clean and beautiful office. Staff was very helpful. Not crazy about needles but, Dr.Kim made the process very easy."
    KAREN N. LOS ANGELES, CA
  • "I've been coming to Evergreen for 3 years. I've had a few different chronic health conditions. Acupuncture and herbs have helped bring more balance to my body and boost my immune system. Last year I came down with a frozen shoulder. Acupuncture was a part of the healing process. It always felt better after a treatment. I've had hormone imbalance and cramps my entire life. No longer have to take pain medicine for cramps. Dr Kim is helping me through the change of life and I'm so very grateful. I am given herbs that help cool my body down so I don't have to deal with heat flashes. Thank you Evergreen for all your help!"
    JOYCE B. LOS ANGELES, CA
  • "The best acupuncture facility I've been in. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I like that Dr. Kim takes the time to explain the process before you go through with your treatment."
    PIO PAULO S. GLENDALE, CA
  • "I met Dr. Kim and her staff at the women's expo in LA. She's very nice and informative. The acupuncture has definitely helped my neck and shoulder pain. The staff here are so nice and they really listen to my needs which is a plus. They are flexible with scheduling and will always call me Back when I leave a message. In addition, they send reminder texts for my appointments which I find helpful. I also love working with Marjan who is very gentle and helpful when assisting me."
    MONIKA J. LOS ANGELES, CA
  • "I went to Joan's practice in Santa Barbara, she is normally in Santa Barbara once a week. I did the all over wellness check and Face Lift acupuncture. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep. When I woke up, I can see my lips corner totally got lift up. It was like someone had taped my chin back. She also offer weight loss treatments too. I would totally recommended this to all the brides especially!"
    QUINCY A. SANTA BARBARA, CA
  • "I started going to Evergreen Acupuncture about 4 weeks ago. I had a really bad shoulder pain that ran through my Arm down to my fingers. Dr.Kim spent time and carefully diagnosed my symptoms and explained exactly what she was going to do to turn things around. The truth is that acupuncture is one of the steps toward turning on the healing process and with her advice on my diet and my daily routine, together we solved my shoulder pain and now I am feeling better.Her staff are amazing and very professional and super accommodating.They all work as a team to make you feel comfortable and welcomed each time they see you. I am looking forward to feeling even better as I continue to work with Evergreen Acupuncture."
    EDWARD V. GLENDALE, CA
  • "I started acupuncture treatments at Evergreen 2 weeks ago. The treatments helped me with my Depression & Anxiety symptoms. I can handle stress better at my job. My energy levels started to increase. My fatigue levels started to decrease. So far I’m satisfied with my treatments. Thank you Joan Kim-Wagner."
    Depression & Anxiety Patient, LOS ANGELES, CA
  • "Over the years I have visited Dr. Kim for my chronic stiff neck and shoulders. She was able to help me to move freely. I have also had the face lift acupuncture treatment which did wonders. While I was training for the LA marathon for some reason my ankle began to swell up. I hadn't fallen or out right injured it but it didn't look good. I visited Dr. Kim and immediately felt better. Dr. Kim has a calm bedside manner and has always made me feel comfortable and relaxed. I highly recommend her."
    DREA V. LOS ANGELES, CA