Anthony and Catherine Nguyen were in the middle of careers as computer engineers when they decided to enroll in school for acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Last January, the couple opened Lotus Hand Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine to help bring wellness to the community.

Although it was hard to leave their steady-paying jobs, Anthony Nguyen said it has been worth it.

“It’s nice to do what you truly want to be doing,” he said.

The techniques employed at Lotus Hands focus on finding natural solutions to various ailments. The practice of Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, massage, diet planning, exercise and herbal medicine. Nguyen said he and Catherine specialize in all aspects of Chinese medicine except massage.

“We find it more rewarding to help people naturally heal than to help people make money,” he said. “Catherine has a real knack for helping people.”

Many patients seek help in managing autoimmune diseases, diabetes and high cholesterol, among other treatable conditions, Nguyen said. Many patients also receive regular acupuncture  sessions to help treat chronic pain, he said.

Herbal medicine has been practiced for thousands of years in China.[/caption]

“Many people don’t realize that their pain is preventable and they don’t have to suffer,” he said.

To treat patients, daily lifestyles are analyzed to recognize a pattern that causes the problems. Each health treatment is modified to treat the individual’s specific health problem. Both herbal medicine and acupuncture have few, if any, side effects, he said.

Acupuncture is typically offered in 90-minute sessions with follow-up sessions ranging from 45-60 minutes. Free integral tai chi lessons are offered each Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15-7:45 p.m., Nguyen said.

“Our whole mission is to help people feel better and help them have a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

In the future, the Nguyens want to reach out to the military community and offer services that will help with post-traumatic stress disorder, he said.

Lotus Hands offers different types of acupuncture, herbal medicine and tai chi.[/caption]