by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer

 

When Dr. Christina Captain, a nationally board-certified Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, invited me to experience one of the latest additions to Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition—her newly rebranded practice on Bahia Vista Street—I was curious but unsure of what to expect. As I walked into Dr. Captain’s office, however, and absorbed the tranquility of her space, I knew this would be an educational, restorative and illuminating encounter.

She then proceeded to introduce me to the ZYTO Elite System, a computerized bio-meridian scanning device used to unearth subtle imbalances within the body. This software probes the acupuncture meridians located in the hands to identify energetic stressors in the cells, tissues, glands, bones, muscles, organs and other elements which are connected to those meridian points. These imbalances could be a result of nutrition deficiencies, hormone issues, bacterial or viral pathogens, and toxin, chemical or heavy metal exposures, and the ZYTO Elite System can delve into all of these root causes. 

Once the scan is done, this software generates a comprehensive profile on the body that indicates which biomarkers are outside a healthy range of balance and how they can be restored to alignment and homeostasis. When Dr. Captain explained to me the results of my own scan, I was fascinated—not to mention, surprised—to learn that my veins and arteries are over-worked, while in contrast, my thyroid is under-functioning. As a side note, my stress levels ranked off the charts too, so it would appear the ZYTO Elite System is telling me I need a vacation—and a physical examination. I should address that order of business, huh?

   But I digress, this can be utilized to identify all kinds of physiological, emotional and mental disturbances—from potential cancer to infertility to weight issues to autoimmune disorders to unresolved trauma to addictions. Dr. Captain takes this data obtained from the ZYTO Elite System and funnels it into creating a treatment protocol based on each of her patients’ unique health conditions and therapeutic needs.

She combines the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the modern science of conventional Western medicine for an approach that is both holistic and integrative. “In addition to acupuncture, [my practice] offers oral and injectable herbs, vitamin and mineral supplements, homeopathic and glandular substances, infrared saunas and detoxification foot baths to assist people in the achievement of their health goals,” Dr. Captain enumerates.

With such a broad scope of modalities in her wheelhouse, Dr. Captain is able to curate individualized treatment plans that not only focus on the origin of an illness, but also empower and educate her patients to continue their own health maintenance outside the walls of her office. One avenue, in particular, through which she does this is nutritional counseling. “We carry 10 different lines of nutrition products, all of which are Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified,” Dr. Captain affirms. This verification means that a product is formulated without artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors to ensure the natural quality of ingredients.

Her practice’s litany of pharmaceutical-grade supplements runs the gamut from vitamins and minerals to herbs and botanicals to homeopathic remedies. What makes these formulas the superior alternative to a brand you might find at the supermarket is that only licensed practitioners are authorized to retail the products which Dr. Captain has stored in her cabinets.

“With our various nutritional offerings, concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, functional laboratory tests and access to modern innovations [such as the ZYTO Elite System], we at the Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition strive to be a one-stop-shop for all of our patients’ integrative healthcare needs,” she concludes. And after spending over an hour with her on a hectic Monday morning, I can attest to the passion, enthusiasm, knowledge, commitment and expertise that Dr. Captain delivers in each aspect of her multi-faceted healing work.

 

 

Dr. Christina Captain is nationally board-certified by the National Commission for Certification in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is the lead practitioner at Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition which she founded in 2000. Dr. Captain is also an expert Feng Shui practitioner and teacher who studied under Nancilee Wydra of the Feng Shui Institute of America, before originating her own style, Essential Balance Feng Shui. Since this discipline is a branch of Oriental Medicine, she often blends Feng Shui principles into her treatment plans. Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition is located at 2650 Bahia Vista St., Suite 101, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-951-1119.

 

Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer is the Managing Editor of Natural Awakenings Sarasota–Manatee. She also works as a freelance writer, blogger and social media marketer based in Southwest Florida. Her personal blog HealthBeAHippie.Wordpress.com features practical tips for embracing an active, nutritious and empowered lifestyle.