Calandra Center Combines Therapies for Best Results

Calandra Center for Health & Wellness (CCHW), with locations in Chicago and Schaumburg, is an integrative facility dedicated to providing innovative health services, wellness resources and educational programs. Founder Teri Calandra, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and reiki master teacher who believes that it is beneficial to work with  a variety of healing modalities in order to give optimal care.

CCHW offers acupuncture, reiki, Chinese herbal medicine, Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET), strength and flexibility training, and a variety of classes and workshops to promote overall well-being, as well as remote healing services delivering the same care and support as in the office.

The team at CCHW upholds the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy that disease or dysfunction is an indication that something is out of balance, whether physically, emotionally or in other areas of life. One of the most effective ways to bring the body back to homeostasis is through acupuncture, which stimulates energy meridians to open up blockages. “During an acupuncture session, I talk with patients and use pulse diagnosis to find out how they are doing that specific day. Each treatment is tailored to the individual and the symptoms they are currently experiencing,” says Calandra. Acupuncture is used for a broad range of conditions, including neurological, digestive, emotional, musculoskeletal, respiratory and gynecological issues.

Another component of the TCM healing system is herbal medicine, which can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments. CCHW has a certified herbal medicine specialist on staff that customizes the blend of plants and minerals specifically for each patient. “Herbs provide a deep, nourishing continuation of treatment that patients can use at home. They are a supplemental and supportive adjunct to dietary and lifestyle changes to help many chronic or acute issues, including digestive, pain, urinary, women’s health and stress,” explains Calandra. CCHW carries only high-quality formulas that have been tested for potency and safety, and after an initial in-office visit, consultations can be done via telemedicine, with blends delivered or picked up contact-free.

CCHW also specializes in reiki, a form of energy medicine that has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and depression, improving overall quality of life and promoting physical and emotional healing. “Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol, a stress hormone. Stress has a direct impact on overall wellness and is tied to a number of chronic health conditions. The practice of reiki uses meditations, diaphragmatic breathing, chanting and other tools to engage with the energy and become more grounded. When you start to master the energy within yourself, you can use it to help others,” says Calandra.

CCHW hosts a free Virtual Reiki Relaxation Hour the last Wednesday of the month via Zoom, as well as reiki classes upon request. In addition, Calandra provides reiki classes with continuing education credits just for acupuncturists. Reiki services are available as distance sessions or in-office, and can also be combined with acupuncture treatments to increase relaxation.

NAET is a non-invasive therapy that is used to alleviate allergies based on the idea that disease ensues when the electromagnetic signature from exposure to food, hormones, chemicals or other substances disrupts the energy flow of the body and causes a reaction. “By utilizing a series of kinesiology, energy balancing and acupuncture, NAET has been shown to help a wide range of pathologies,” says Calandra. A session starts with applied kinesiology, or muscle testing, to determine which allergen should be treated during that session. The patient then receives acupuncture or acupressure to activate specific points that neutralize the reaction and allow the body to reset.

The team at CCHW believes that wellness is the active cultivation of practices and life choices that promote overall health and well-being, and work with their patients’ other healthcare providers to meet individualized wellness goals. Calandra states, “We are supportive of the healing process and try to meet our patients wherever they are in that. Our job is not to push healing on someone, but to create the space for healing to start and build the foundation for the next steps to move forward.”

For more information, call 312-796-3965, email [email protected] or visit CalandraAcupuncture.com.

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.