Why did you become an acupuncturist?
Chinese Medicine has been a significant part of my life since about 2004. I was looking at a somewhat dismal medical diagnosis and felt compelled to try something different from pharmaceuticals. I found an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist and six months later I found myself without symptoms. I knew that I had found something worth sharing and decided that pursuing my own formal training was one of the best ways I could give back.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I’ve worked with a wide variety of populations throughout my life and I’ve shared and learned from all of them. The one thing that everyone seems to need, regardless of what they do or how they live their life, is a safe and comfortable healing space where physical, mental and emotional experiences can be expressed and resolved. I do my best to provide that kind of space to everyone who I support with acupuncture.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
There’s nothing better than seeing someone get off the table feeling more like themselves, whether that be without pain, without stress or simply more like their “usual, happy self.” It’s so humbling and rewarding to support others as they begin to see and engage in their own healing and overall wellbeing, and to see those positive effects trickle into all other areas of their life as well.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
While the overall impression of the power behind acupuncture continues to change, many people still believe that it really only can help them with pain, specifically musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is really more about promoting life. This can be understood in a literal sense, as it does improve fertility in both men and women, but it also means that instead of dealing with seasonal allergies, emotional turmoil or digestive issues as permanent aspects of your existence, acupuncture can bring about bigger change so that you can bring your focus away from what ails you and back to the life you want to live.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Staying healthy involves many areas of your life. I maintain a “nutritionally balanced life” by keeping things in some kind of balance. I do my best to eat more vegetables than carbs or meats, incorporate meditation and either tai chi, yoga or qigong into my daily routine to keep me focused and centered, and get outside and play as often as I can. I also set aside time to laugh and feel supported by the people I love as well as time to support them. Life can be crazy, but making sure that you give yourself the best chance to feel balanced will allow you to take part in what really matters to you.

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metta-acupuncture.com
erika.lyn.lac@gmail.com
(503) 662-2815
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2706 SE Lincoln Street, Portland, OR 97214

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I’ve always been athletic. Many years ago I developed heel spurs. My podiatrist told me that he could operate but that I might need several operations as well as physical therapy. He suggested I try acupuncture; my heel pain disappeared after a few treatments. Over the years I’ve learned that Chinese medicine is more effective than Western medicine for my pain. I was never interested in pain medication and rarely got relief with physical therapy. I became an acupuncturist after I had raised my kids. I had been a graphic designer for many years and wanted to do something else. I had been receiving regular acupuncture for years, happened to go to a new acupuncturist and asked her how she got into Chinese medicine. She told me she was older, she had to work while attending school, that it was very difficult but the best thing she’d ever done. I started grad school a couple of months later.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
In grad school we’re taught that 10 practitioners treating a headache can find 10 different causes and treatments for the headache. Practitioners are individuals—each bringing a different set of experiences and skills into the treatment room. I don’t think the question is which practitioner is better than the other, but which is the best fit for the patient. I encourage prospective patients to call or email me to determine if I am the best practitioner for them.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Being an acupuncturist is the best! Each day I’m presented with a complex set of symptoms that I must analyze and formulate a treatment plan for. No mater how long I practice I will always have the opportunity to learn more. Each day brings a new challenge. I’m a people person so I enjoy interacting with patients. I work with some of the best people! Most of all, there is really no better feeling than working with someone and helping them heal.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Most folks are fairly knowledgeable about Chinese medicine. A few, however, are under the impression that acupuncture is some sort of magic art one must believe in for it to be effective. Chinese medicine has been used to treat physical ailments for thousands of years. In Chinese medicine our basic understanding of the human body is different than Western medicines’. Both conceptions are valid. Chinese medicine is not hocus pocus—no pun intended.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I am physically active—I row for River City Advanced Women’s team. I am very committed to eating well—organic, local, home cooked, including meat. I receive regular massage and acupuncture. I try to balance work and relaxation. I constantly work to maintain peace of mind. I absolutely insist on enjoying life.

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lvernasco@gmail.com
(916) 244-9363

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2011 P Street, Suite 305, Sacramento, CA 95811

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I grew up in the dance world and was always tuned into health, active living, and the human body. However, I didn’t know much about acupuncture until over a decade ago, when I started experiencing intense knee pain. The Western doctors prescribed pain medication and physical therapy, which I found to be invasive and ineffective, so I turned to acupuncture. No only did my symptoms go away, I was deeply inspired by the medicine. It was like a light bulb turned on in my heart and mind—I simply knew that I wanted to study and practice this age-old medicine. Now that I’m here, I’m pleased to say that this path is even more fascinating and fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
Unlike many acupuncturists, I see only one patient at a time and devote each one-hour session to addressing their physical or emotional symptoms and issues. I strive to truly connect with each patient, while applying my insight, warmth, focus, and knowledge of acupuncture and other healing modalities to stimulate change and long-term relief. I also have a unique skill set, having been trained in several different styles of acupuncture, in both the U.S. and in Asia. My treatment style is rooted in classical tradition but also incorporates a more progressive approach that utilizes Western physical medicine techniques, namely trigger point dry needling, which is very effective for pain. Also, realizing that one’s external self is a reflection of their internal self, I’ve achieved certification in Constitutional Facial Acupuncture. I enjoy offering my patients a safe, effective and natural way to revitalize the face, support overall wellness, and enliven the spirit.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I’m passionate about inspiring positive change, whether it’s big or small, in someone’s life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing patients transform in the treatment room. Results and compassion are a powerful combination! Not only that, it’s thrilling to be on a path of life-long learning. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are truly fascinating to me and there’s no limit to development and growth in this career.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
After years of providing acupuncture treatment, I still think the biggest misconception is that acupuncture is painful. Not at all! A skilled practitioner will insert the needle without any sensation at all, and may then elicit sensations perceived as heaviness, warmth, tingling and/or a localized intensity. After a treatment or two, the body and mind become accustomed to the sensations of acupuncture, and almost everyone falls asleep or relaxes into a state of deep calm once the needles are inserted. What’s not to like?

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
For me, nothing is more empowering than staying strong and focused, physically, mentally and emotionally, and my lifestyle reflects this. As a dancer and athlete, I love to move, whether I’m doing yoga, enjoying the outdoors or going for a run. I also start each day with my qigong and meditation practice, which helps me feel engaged and centered. Cooking and eating nutritious foods, spending quality time with my loved ones, and receiving acupuncture treatments are also central to my life. I always take the time to speak with my patients about a balanced lifestyle that includes exercise, internal practices, and a healthy diet for their constitution, which I view as building blocks of a vivid and fulfilling life.

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prinzacunyc.com
erika@prinzacunyc.com
(917) 359-7974
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80 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1304, New York, NY 10011

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I studied premed after an accomplished 15-year career in design and graphic arts. I found that my creative drive was incredibly strong, which led to professional success as a designer but kept taking me back to the body, to health and, ultimately, to Oriental medicine. I understand and deeply appreciate physical and physiological life processes, both from a Western and Chinese medical model, which keeps me focused on my patients and grounded in my approach.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
My desire and ultimate goal is to always be learning and expanding my understanding of Chinese medicine so that I can be a well-honed clinician for my patients. I travel regularly to study with the very best teachers in classical Chinese medicine and log more than 200 hours of didactic lecture time each year. I also spend a significant amount of time reading the latest studies and relevant materials, as well as contributing to case study presentations. By staying informed and educated, I can make a difference in my patients’ quality of care and health outcomes.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Without a doubt, I enjoy the human connection and the challenge of developing optimal treatment strategies and regimens that, in turn, drive positive health outcomes for my patients. My patients trust me to be their partner and to help them reach their health goals and potential. When we are able to work together to do that, it is a wonderful feeling and accomplishment.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
I think the biggest misconception is that you must be a believer in acupuncture for it to be effective. There is an enormous body of scientific data showing that this is not the case. Numerous animal studies have shown a positive response without a belief system. Further, National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry in ways that affect the body’s immune reactions, blood-pressure regulation, blood flow and temperature, and that it may aid the activity of endorphins (the body’s own pain-killing chemicals) and immune cells at specific sites in the body.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
It’s a challenge we all face, but one that is most important to rise to. I enjoy the personal tussle with trying to manage life as a mere mortal. I try to make balanced choices and create habits that best cultivate and support my health. Often, I am successful. Other times, I have to remind myself what is important and commit to my health. I exercise regularly and have a qigong and meditative practice that I routinely follow. If I am not going to value my health and make it a top priority, who will?

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philadelphia-acupuncture.com
sharon@philadelphia-acupuncture.com
(215) 247-7100
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Empirical Point Acupuncture: 40 W. Evergreen Avenue, Suite 112, Philadelphia, PA 19118

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
After struggling with my own allergies and resorting to acupuncture as a last ditch effort, when my doctors told me there was nothing else they could do, I finally got relief. Three years of being unable to drive because my eyes were so badly affected were counteracted by just one month of acupuncture and herbal treatment. I wanted to be able to help people out of that kind of desperation and into health, as I had been helped.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
In college, my plan had been to go to veterinary school. When I discovered acupuncture and how well it worked for me, I decided to go to vet school and acupuncture school so that I could use natural medicine to treat pets. I was accepted to acupuncture school first. While in school, I apprenticed with a veterinary acupuncturist who taught me all the ins and outs of treating pets. I also learned that I could work with pets without having to go through four more years of vet school! It was perfect—I get to work with pets and people using the medicine I have come to love!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love when patients graduate from acupuncture treatment. It’s always bittersweet because in this medicine patients and practitioners spend so much time together working toward health. It’s hard to say goodbye when patients are feeling better! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want my patients to have learned how to maintain the health they’ve gained!

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That the needles are scary. People finally come in because they’re not getting relief for their conditions elsewhere and they’re desperate enough to brave the needles. Then when they get their first needle inserted, nine times out of 10, I’m asked, “Was that it? Is it in?” Yep! Acupuncture needles should be called something other than “needle,” because they are nothing like what we’re used to when we think about needles.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
It’s always a challenge to do all the things that we need to do to stay healthy. I think I’ve finally come up with a formula of diet, exercise, work, family time and “play time” that works for me. And that’s part of the fun in this line of work, getting to help people find their formula for a healthy life!

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thriveacupuncture.org
becca@thriveacupuncture.org
(971) 285-4825
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3701 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Suite G, Portland, OR 97202

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
Growing up in Europe, I was exposed to alternative medicines at an early age. From homeopathy to acupuncture, shiatsu to osteopathy, I had experienced it all by the time I was a young adult. Even though I came from a family of MDs, I was fascinated by the intricacy and efficiency of Traditional Chinese Medicine. That’s when I decided to follow my passion and become an acupuncturist and herbalist.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I thrive to educate, inspire and empower people to make better lifestyle choices and to find their own unique path to wellbeing. I use acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition and other modalities to ensure the best possible treatment customized for each individual.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Helping people. Healing people. Advising them on better lifestyle choices and seeing great results through acupuncture and nutrition is something I am very passionate about. For that one hour, when people are on my table, I try my hardest to give them a respite from their daily challenges.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Here are the top misconceptions: 1) It hurts. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and pliable. How many acupuncture needles fit into the tip of a hypodermic needle? Between 20 and 40 depending on the gage. Most people actually find acupuncture very relaxing, and they fall asleep. 2) Acupuncture needles aren’t safe. Acupuncture is always performed in a clean and sterile environment. The needles are single-use, FDA-approved and get disposed of after each insertion to prevent blood-borne contamination. Always go to a trusted licensed acupuncturist when seeking treatments. 3) Acupuncture only helps with pain. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) and WHO (World Health Organization) have identified more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture was found to be effective. Acupuncture treats many ailments, anything from losing weight, addictions, insomnia and emotional issues to headaches, paralysis and digestive problems. Acupuncture used in conjunction with other modalities or herbal medicine can be extremely effective.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I try to maintain a healthy balance between my work, my family and the things I need to do for myself in order to be in optimal health. Whether it is exercising, going for a walk, sitting down to take a few deep breaths or getting acupuncture and / or massages from colleagues on a regular basis—I know, I’m lucky that way. Nutrition plays a big part in my wellbeing, so I pay close attention to the foods I put in my body. In a nutshell, it’s a daily juggling act—sometimes I win, sometimes life wins.

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driftwoodacu.com
anita@driftwoodacu.com
(415) 570-1527
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2940 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 (located inside Advanced Wellness)

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
My purpose for practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine is to provide my patients with an opportunity to experience and cultivate long-term natural health. With each patient, I work to educate them about the holistic medical system of acupuncture, which is based on the inter-relationship between the laws of nature and human beings. I tailor my treatments to meet the individual needs of each patient. Whether we are working to treat chronic illness, emotional imbalance, stress or aches and pains, I approach the treatment with compassion and sincere interest in guiding my patient to a more balanced body through skilled and specific Chinese medical therapies.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I grew up in Beijing learning TCM from my grandmother and father. My education and experience in TCM has been a life-long endeavor. I believe this experience allows me to bring a unique approach to my treatment of each patient.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy seeing people get well!

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
It is not a one-hit wonder. It’s an art form. You have to be patient and the healing will come.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I love to travel up and down the California coast—it is awesome and inspiring. I find great peace in the ocean.

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drhelenhe.com
drhelenhe@yahoo.com
(408) 871-9127
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1925 Winchester Blvd., Suite 206, Campbell, CA 95008

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I studied massage and psychology, earlier in life, and left each behind because I was convinced they were only a small piece of what made a human being. I became an acupuncturist because I believe you cannot separate the mind from the body from the spirit, and to attempt to heal one while ignoring the rest is foolish at best. Also, admittedly, because I love solving mysteries and finding patterns, two things I get to do daily in this work.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
As an acupuncturist, I am always experimenting, always researching new ways to help people. I learned to read and write Chinese, so I can go back to the original source material, and I spent some time in China doing clinical rounds for dermatology and neurology. I tend to favor a more intense style of treatment with more immediate results, but I have an eclectic approach so I can adapt to the needs of my patients. I am also a dedicated herbalist, and believe that herbal medicine does much of the heavy lifting in treating serious illness. I know the classics pretty well, and frequently design custom formulas for my patients.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the detective work. And I love how, with the right perspective, things that seem so complicated and so life-consuming, can be distilled into something so simple. And when that simple, core idea is understood, everything falls into place. It’s so satisfying to see that, and to help my patients see it, too. Every day I see my patients walk out the door looking happier and in less pain than when they arrived, and I just live for those moments. But even more so are the moments when understanding dawns on them, and they truly get the ways that they can live their own lives in more balanced ways.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Most often what I hear is the assumption that it can only treat the small handful of conditions that are accepted by the mainstream medical establishment, being pain, nausea, and headaches. To be honest, while there are number of things that Chinese medicine cannot cure, I have yet to encounter a single thing that it cannot help.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Living and eating with the seasons, everything in moderation (including moderation), regular exercise (rock climbing is my favorite), getting acupuncture and taking herbs, listening to my body and learning to understand what it’s telling me.

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touchthesunacupuncture.com
nathan@touchthesunacupuncture.com
(510) 403-1453
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Armstrong Chiropractic: 22 Battery Street, #701, San Francisco, CA 94111

Laughing Buddha Acupuncture: 411 30th Street, #308, Oakland, CA 94609

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
At age seven or eight I had recurring visions of acupuncture treatments, although I had no idea what acupuncture was until I was much older. A seed was planted, which began to grow while studying at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I studied there in the research labs, and I found a serious lack of humanity and compassion in the modern conventional medicine world. So I dug deep and rediscovered my early interests in natural and humane forms of treatment to provide optimal health. By the time my first real teacher of herbal medicine found me, I was completely hooked on the flexibility, safety, power, and finesse in this form of medicine.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I have spent the last half of my life learning to diagnose health problems holistically, and I take case evaluation to a level of detail not commonly seen in the acupuncture world. If you have had a good, but incomplete, experience with your previous acupuncturist and you need more help with your situation, I encourage you to contact me—you may be surprised. My first commitment is to understand health and its experience as an engineer would, since that is my previous training and career experience. My second commitment is to integrate this understanding with the openness of the foundational philosophies of Oriental medicine. My final commitment is to make this total package work for the client. Does your case require a more detailed understanding and a more comprehensive and strategized treatment plan? Contact me!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Little is more fulfilling than helping people come to an understanding of how to get the most from their health. Anyone interested in Wellness must learn some skills to care for themselves, since Wellness is an individual’s undertaking and cannot be effectively purchased. Helping clients find their own “A-Ha!” moment is hugely fulfilling to me, because the understanding they gain is much bigger than merely learning to manage symptoms… it can change lives through and through.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Since I live in Dallas, which I regard as culturally less compatible with natural lifestyles than other places in America, I hear so many misconceptions about acupuncture that I don’t even listen anymore. I know what Oriental medicine can do since I see it work every day. I just don’t have that much time, energy, and commitment for naysayers.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
As a practitioner, Oriental medicine is among my top-shelf tools for staying healthy, since it allows you to see what’s coming before it’s here. Oriental medicine’s understanding of disease life cycles offers a powerful view of the past, present, and future of one’s health. I have been able to keep my family healthy by averting problems, and I could not do this without Oriental medicine’s view of disease cycles.

What is the biggest factor in achieving success with acupuncture?
Without a doubt, clear and quality practitioner-client communication is the key. With a deep understanding of a client’s objectives, values, and health resources, I can provide optimal and customized care tuned to the client’s needs. I do my best to truly understand a client’s unique value for their health experience.

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dbacu.com
david@dbacu.com
(972) 231-7580

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701 N. Central Expressway, Bldg. 3, Suite 100, Richardson, TX 75080

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I’ve had several personal experiences that suggest our current medical system does not have all the answers to help one progress in their health. My early exposure to acupuncture demonstrated an energetic system of medicine that seemed comprehensive and complementary to our existing system of medicine, providing some of the missing pieces. It is my goal to share this deepened energetic understanding of our wellbeing with patients through acupuncture, education and integrating with their current experience in our Western medicine system, to help each client progress and feel in charge of their own path to healing.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
For the past 12-plus years I have studied rigorously with a world-renowned physician, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, who has taught me the inherent reasoning of energetic medicine (acupuncture) from the ancient medical texts written thousands of years ago, integrating it with today’s Western medicine. From my studies, I am very results-oriented in my approach and my goal is to help patients reach their true health potential as quickly as possible. My training, experience and service offerings are focused primarily on acupuncture and I do my best to help educate patients on the importance of healthy nutrition and other lifestyle choices to aid them in attaining their best health potential.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Helping patients get back on track with their health so they can enjoy life and live life to their fullest unique potential. I enjoy seeing the joy on people’s faces when they attain results in their care that they didn’t even know were possible. I enjoy studying, studying and studying more to learn all that acupuncture can offer in treating the most challenging complex conditions and applying what I learn with my patients to get better results.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
The biggest misconception I hear is that it hurts. Although you may feel the very fine needles on insertion, it is only for a moment, and is nothing like feeling the needles when you go to the doctor for a shot or to have your blood drawn. To me, acupuncture is not about the “needles” at all. It is about accurately assessing one’s energy and knowing how to regulate and affect one’s energy for their optimum health. The needles are simply an effective tool to facilitate this.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I do my best to practice what I preach by eating well, getting a good night’s rest, practicing Yi Ren qigong, doing work that I love, spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, practicing yoga, taking time off, and when needed, treating myself with acupuncture!

What is an experience at Energetic Medicine like?
We do our best to provide excellence in customer service, quality of care, client comfort and relaxation, and client results and satisfaction. We hope that at Energetic Medicine you would expect to be well heard in your goals for getting well and to have our utmost focus in doing all that we can to assist you in achieving your healthcare goals.

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(425) 825-8400
office@nrgmedicine.com

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Energetic Medicine: 13128 Totem Lake Blvd., Suite 201, Kirkland, WA 98034

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