Why did you become an acupuncturist?
There was a difficult period of my life—a five year span—when I lost many people, including my parents, who I loved dearly. Regular acupuncture treatments helped me maintain my physical and mental health during this challenging time. It became clear to me that death can come at any time and you better not waste any time. My dream was to be of direct service and to facilitate healing for others. My parents were wonderful people who contributed to the world in many ways, and I felt a responsibility to carry on this legacy in a purposeful way. My father, an allopathic doctor, was described as a “mensch” by his colleagues, and I aspired to make him proud. He was always interested in Eastern thought and medicine and would be absolutely delighted to see me following in his footsteps providing loving care for those in need.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
My ongoing training with a Chinese master acupuncturist has increased my knowledge, confidence, and determination to share this incredible medicine. When looking for an acupuncturist to add to your health team, it’s important to find someone you trust and resonate with. That connection is an important factor in the healing process. I am accessible by phone or email prior to making an appointment to see if we are a good fit.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Everything! Seriously! I am doing work that I love—spending time with people, listening, being hands-on, and facilitating healing with acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities. I always strive to deeply listen and offer support on the physical and spiritual level. I love doing hands-on work (Reiki, craniosacral, etc.) to enhance the needles and feel that I receive benefit from this as well. I keep my rates reasonable to make acupuncture accessible to those who need it.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Most people aren’t aware of the vast scope of conditions I can effectively treat in my practice. These include anxiety, bone fracture, common cold, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, hip and low back pain, knee issues, muscle strain, general pain, PMS, postpartum issues, sprains, and stress. If my patients have a new health concern, they know now to call me and ask, “Can acupuncture help with this?” The answer is usually, “Yes!” Acute issues can often be addressed in two-to-four treatments, while chronic issues may take longer.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I need regular exercise or I get really crabby. Having a daily spiritual practice is also a key. I try to regularly schedule time off to renew myself. I follow the 80-20 rule with food and try to eat a simple healthy diet 80 percent of the time. When I splurge on something every once in a while, I bless it and then fully enjoy it. Laughter is a great way to reduce stress, and thankfully my goofy dog keeps me from getting too serious. Being connected with nature is essential for me.

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feelbetteracu.com
mbenforado@gmail.com
(831) 212-3090
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630 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
1288 Kifer Road, Suite 202, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I had a premed degree and wanted to choose a profession from which I would not burn out, as each patient is totally different from any other. After using natural healthcare for my family for 20 years, this seemed like a perfect choice.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I treat every patient as an individual, and take them from where they are to where they want to be. I continue learning in order to help increase my knowledge. I treat emotional issues, fertility, and more. I have a certificate in Oriental reproductive medicine, which requires increased knowledge in that area.

I using vibration and cold laser when needed, after many hours of study using them. I also use herbs and homeopathy as needed to increase resolution of problems more quickly. I help with symptoms in a natural way. I can help with almost any problem, and will refer out if needed. All ages benefit, as do problems from head to toe.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy helping patients become pain free, have peace of mind, and resolve problems of all kinds. This is a fulfilling way to spend my time.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
I do not hear misconceptions much.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I practice qigong as a certified instructor, eat well, exercise with my dog, and do Pilates. We all need exercise, to eat well, and to drink plenty of water. I could not function at work without doing so.

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miamiorientalmedicine.com
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(305) 323-3123
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195 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
For many great reasons, I decided to become an acupuncturist and make these studies a huge part of my life. But the main reason was that I wanted to help people understand their bodies better. Our bodies have amazing abilities, and it important to understand how yours functions to the best of its ability.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I have studied both Western psychology as well as Chinese medicine. This knowledge gives me a different approach to acupuncture than many other practitioners.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
It is such an amazing feeling to see the process of healing. There is no way to not enjoy your work when you feel that you are constantly helping people.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
I constantly hear that acupuncture only works as a placebo. This truly is a misconception, and many facts and studies can prove that. Acupuncture works on many different levels, including physical, mental, and biological.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
There are many ways to stay healthy, but personally, I have dedicated a lot of time to the study and practice of martial arts. I also enjoy spending time creating exercise programs that focus on health and maintenance for your body.

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oloacupuncture.com

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119 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10011

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I saw how effective acupuncture and herbal medicine were while working in wellness centers through college. Many people who came through the doors had tried everything Western medicine had to offer but were still in pain or having uncomfortable side effects from medication. Acupuncture and herbs were able to help such a wide variety of issues naturally and had lasting effects. I wanted to be able to offer people the same kind of relief I saw during that time.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I have the privilege of working at a busy community clinic and was able to administer 2,000 treatments in my first year there. Because of the varied nature of the symptoms of each patient and the amazing team of acupuncturists at the clinic, I have gained priceless experience and treatment tools for even the very hard cases. Working as a teaching assistant at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine has kept me close to the academic side of Chinese medicine, helping me to continually develop a deeper understanding for the medicine.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Seeing patients’ responses to the treatment. First timers are usually surprised by how painless the needles are, how long they slept for during treatment, and how relaxed they feel after.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That practitioners insist on patients following strict lifestyle changes or only using one modality to heal. I like to tell patients to do what works! Everyone is different and is at various stages of the healing process. Acupuncture is assisting the body’s own incredible ability to heal itself and is a great adjunctive treatment. You don’t have to stop or start doing anything other than coming in for your appointment. The healthy changes usually start to happen on their own as patients become more in tune with their bodies.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Finding fun ways to exercise! Practicing yoga, eating whole foods, and getting lots of relaxation.

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oloacupuncture.com

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119 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10011

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
In the 4th grade, at the age of 10, I began to meditate. Not because I came from some long line of healers, but because I had been waking up in the middle of the night in agony. My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Wolfe, was mean as a nest of hornets, and I was having nervous stomach pain. I was lucky that the ER doc told me I needed to learn to relax, instead of throwing a bunch of Ritalin or Prozac at me. So, I began exploring ways to relax.

I was into martial arts with my friend Jim, and had learned how to use my mind to overcome pain while fighting. I was a big science nerd, and I began to read about meditation and visualization exercises and bio feedback. Out of that, I began practicing a simple form of meditation. No gurus, no “grass hopper,”—just a simple from of mental and physical relaxation. It worked. I overcame my fears of Mrs. Wolfe, quieted my nervous stomach, and learned that the mind and the body are connected in ways we have just now begun to understand.

Out of that, my interest in Chinese philosophy and ways of life were born. It also didn’t hurt that my grandfather, who had been stationed in China, had brought lots of Chinese artwork back from WWII. It was always there as a backdrop during my visits to his house. Funny how staring at a big Buddha for 18 years can make you wonder about the world!

After that early exposure to meditation and the power of the mind over the body, I began using sports as a sort of moving meditation. My favorites were basketball and volleyball because of the steady action and movement. Later, I became an avid cyclist.

My father’s mother taught me that you could eat things out of your yard, and that some plants were medicinal. My father’s father taught me about vitamins and standing on your head. He said it clears the brain and helps you live a long time, which evidently worked. Or maybe he lived a long time in spite of it! My mother taught me that eating right and getting rest were the most important things to good health. My dad taught me how to hit golf balls, be nice to people, and do the hard work in life, first.

Later in life, I worked for Greenpeace, and was surrounded by people who were into all kinds of alternative healing work. That exposure to new ideas, and to the problems our planet faces, changed my life. After that, I began looking for a new career, one that would allow me to help other people and provide solutions to problems, and that would be a life-long learning and growth process. This is something I can do until I am very old.

After much soul searching, I discovered acupuncture. I explored many therapies, including chiropractic, massage, allopathic medicine, etc., but acupuncture seemed to be the very best fit for how I viewed health. Acupuncture took into consideration all of who a person is, and all the influences on their life, including diet, exercise, parents’ health, job and relationship stresses, sleep, and on and on. It is also profoundly effective, well established (3,000 year history) and extremely safe.

It turned out that my wife’s college roommate’s mother was an acupuncturist. I went to visit her and she was radiant, happy, and very wise. I knew I wanted those qualities in my life. Then I met the faculty and students at the Tai Sophia Institute in Columbia, MD, and that sealed the deal! I studied at Tai Sophia (then it was the Traditional Acupuncture Institute) for three and a half years, earned a master’s degree, and started my first practice. All together, with the clinical portion of my studies, I have been practicing for over 14 years.

I searched for many months for the right office space, and found a beautiful space on the second floor of a chiropractor’s building. The best part is that the office is just up the block from my house, which means I can walk to work!

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I think what sets me apart is my confidence and compassion for others. I really understand what it’s like to be in pain, and I’ve been healed, and helped others to heal and recover, so I know what it takes to pull through.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I most enjoy the surprise and delight patients experience when they find out that a few little needles can make them feel so much better. I also really like when people tell me that acupuncture has changed their lives.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
I think that the biggest misconception about acupuncture is that it’s only good for pain. Acupuncture is so great for wellbeing in general, and especially for anxiety, menstrual and infertility issues, digestive issues and so much more!

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I get a lot of exercise, eat whole foods that are in season as much as possible, and I get acupuncture, bodywork and chiropractic. I race bicycles, swim, lift weights, and take hikes as often as I can. I also do yoga and meditate.

What drew you to community acupuncture?
I like the fact that people can afford to come in often enough to really get good results. I also really like that people are so thankful that they can afford it. I also love the pace!

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acupuncturerox.com
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445 Lyceum Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I fell in love with my work. The Doctor of Chinese Medicine program had everything I was looking for to continue to enhance my education. The combination of acupuncture, herbs, massage, nutrition and much more seemed to be the perfect complement in order to help my clients further their progress to achieve maximum health.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I undoubtedly add all of my personality into my work. Since we are all different with the same education, this would distinguish me as a unique acupuncturist. I have a fun, easy going personality, ensuring that anyone will immediately feel comfortable even when I am poking them with needles. I am passionate about my field which is a benefit to my clients. They know that I genuinely care for their wellbeing and health.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Educating clients, and seeing their surprise when they feel the results. Every day offers a new challenge with different symptoms to consider. This keeps me on my toes. Last but not least, being engaged and talking with my clients, always learning from them.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
“Acupuncture doesn’t work.” When I hear this, I like to remind clients that sometimes things come very easy and sometimes one must work harder. In the end, great results can be enjoyed and appreciated. It’s just a matter of time, patience and effort, like anything else in life.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Laughter, love, and trying anything! I like to look at the bright side of a sticky situation while keeping my smile bright. Exercise is very important to me as well as educating myself as often as possible. You can never stop learning in life. I always strive to find what modality will work in different situations and use it. There is so much out there for us to try. I believe that keeping an open heart and mind will always help me stay healthy.

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krowe.tcmd@gmail.com
backatitmassage.com
(403) 688-1561

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203-1205 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P5, Canada

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
Wanting to help athletes and weekend warriors, I’ve found that acupuncture is one of the best natural medicines for pain management and treating stress. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, acupuncture and herbs have limited to no side effects, which is very important to a patient’s wellness.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
Having a niche in pain management and stress allows me to focus my treatments on specific conditions. I also like watching TV and sports. You don’t have to be a hippie or hipster to enjoy acupuncture.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love getting to know my patients, figuring out the best way to treat them, and seeing how excited and happy they are when they start seeing results.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That it hurts, and that it’s a bunch of mumbo jumbo. It’s good to have some sensation from acupuncture, but pain should not be one of them. Also, just because we don’t know exactly how acupuncture works doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. I’ve seen it work for a lot of people.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Eat good foods and exercise my body and mind.

Do you accept medical insurance for acupuncture?
The majority of major medical providers cover acupuncture. If you don’t know if your medical benefits include acupuncture, give us a call and we will find out for you.

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lifewellbalanced.com
jesse.lifewellbalanced@gmail.com
(541) 762-1755
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150 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., Eugene, OR 97401

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
As an acupuncturist, I always get asked the question, “How did you get into this field?” The short answer is: The hard way. As a college athlete, I endured excessive physical stress which resulted in several injuries. At the time, I thought my only option was surgery. Four years and multiple surgeries later, I thought there had to be a better way. As I was recovering from my fifth knee surgery a year after college graduation, I found my answer in an alternative health magazine. I read about a former college athlete, in my same position, who was now an acupuncturist. The article went on to explain her story and the benefits of acupuncture. I was sold! I made an appointment with my local acupuncturist in small town North Dakota and the rest is history.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I specialize in treating chronic and musculoskeletal pain. In doing so, I first look at the entire body to find out what weaknesses allowed the injury and subsequent pain to happen. Once this is established, all muscles supporting the injured site are treated—not just those involved in the injury. For example, most people with knee injures also have weak and tight hips. If this is the case, I will treat not only the knee but also the hips in order to prevent future injuries to both areas.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
If you have ever been in pain, you know how debilitating it can be, both physically and emotionally. My greatest joy comes when I can facilitate your healing process and your active life is restored.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That it hurts. Once you talk to a friend who has had acupuncture, this misconception is quickly dismissed. Another misconception I hear is that Western medicine doesn’t know how it works and therefore acupuncture must be a placebo. In fact, overwhelming evidence shows that acupuncture increases blood flow along paths that are blocked. This increase of blood flow restores function to muscles, organs and even your brain. Over time, this reverses symptoms and disease.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Balance—which, as everyone knows, is easier said than done. I once heard a mom and successful business woman say that the key to balance is focusing on one thing until another thing needs your attention. Keep what you just put aside in your peripheral. I couldn’t agree more. Staying mindful of what my body and mind need, and reacting to those needs, keeps me healthy. For me, that involves eating whole, nourishing foods; exercising everyday, even if it’s just a short walk; and clearing my mind and dealing with stressors as they arise.

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lifewellbalanced.com
lisag@lifewellbalanced.com
(541) 762-1755
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150 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., Eugene, OR 97401

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
My background includes studies in psychology, Shiatsu, and Reiki, but with acupuncture I felt an immediate connection and I realized, from day one, that this would become my path as a healing artist. I found a medical method that was concrete, precise and full of insights into human complexity, and at the same time, an art that is ever-evolving and relevant to modern life’s challenges.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
My treatment is a lively, dynamic interaction, where patients are encouraged to actively participate in the process of changes in holding patterns. I combine Japanese acupuncture with trigger-point release and I specialize in unthreading the progression between chronic stress, chronic pain and chronic fatigue. I see one patient at a time, my treatments are 75-90 minutes long, and I use a lot of humor and good music (no new-age music in my practice—please, it gives me heartburn).

What do you enjoy most about your work?
1. I help people. Acupuncture is like restoring factory settings and sometimes I can see what patients looked like when they were born. The weight of the years is being pulled away. This is an amazing moment to witness. 2. When asked, “How far in do the needles go?” I say, “Do you mean in inches or in time?” 3. I see a happy crowd.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
1. Qi is not energy. It is action-potential. I do not deal with some mystical form of energy healing. I deal with activating connective tissue, fascia, to send messages to the brain, thus eliciting hormonal, bio-chemical and bio-electrical changes in the body. 2. Acupuncture can create strong physical and emotional sensations. When releasing trigger points in muscles, patients will feel strong movements and some soreness. This is a very powerful and liberating feeling, as they realize that I am not causing them pain as much as I am touching their pain.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I pay great attention to what I eat and how I eat it. My wife and I are nutrition enthusiasts and we inquire a lot about it. I exercise regularly. I use stress-reduction and focusing techniques. I believe that the point of rest is the axis upon which the world revolves. I choose to be optimistic.

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odedsacupuncture.com
oded@odedsacupuncture.com
(646) 784-0160
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2106 NE 123rd Street, North Miami, Florida 33181

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
Although I respect Western medicine and what it can offer, I became more and more discouraged with the limitations of the current healthcare system. I thought to myself, “there must be a better way,” especially for those in pain. I decided to enter into a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree program that strongly incorporates a Western-medical protocol as part of its curriculum.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
With dual Masters Degrees—acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and community counseling—I am able to offer my patients a more comprehensive and holistic approach in helping them out of pain (physically, mentally and emotionally). In my previous experience working in the mental health field as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFTI), I realized the importance of providing quality and compassionate care in a professional setting. I have experience counseling individuals, couples, families and children. I am passionate about getting my patients out of pain and guiding them to a life filled with peace and balance. My intention is to help create and maintain a renewed vitality within each individual.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I appreciate and love that I have found a career that allows me to help people in every aspect of their life. Chinese medicine is often a last resort for many and it is gratifying to give patients the results they are hoping for.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles; roughly 10 acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle. The largest misconception about acupuncture is that it hurts. Of course, every individual has his or her own pain tolerance level and I am very sensitive to this in my own practice. For the majority of people though, minimal discomfort is felt. In fact, some people have commented that the feeling is unfamiliar, pleasant and relaxing.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I incorporate a variety of vegetables into my diet, drink a lot of water, and breathe deeply often. I love to spend time in nature and enjoy walking, hiking, snowboarding, biking, running, and paddle boarding. I practice yoga as a way to stretch and strengthen the body, and as a tool to help manage the stress of daily life. I also use Chinese herbs and acupuncture for general wellness.

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acupunctureinnature.com
info@acupunctureinnature.com
(949)-505-4004
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22691 Lambert Street, Suite 512, Lake Forest, CA 92630
23151 Verdugo Drive, Suite 114, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

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