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 was attracted to acupuncture after I was involved in two car accidents and was unable to get rid of my neck and upper back pain with other therapies. Chinese medicine was also able to help me get off of the prednisone and antibiotic cycle that I was on for year-round rhinitis. After my great experience with acupuncture and herbs, I wanted to share these therapies with others.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I am a mother and have raised my child from the very beginning using Traditional Chinese Medicine. I have a huge interest in pediatrics and helping resolve childhood issues. I also want to help parents resolve their own health issues, and teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle so that they can be good examples to their children and families.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I most enjoy the great joy of hearing how much better patients feel, even after their first treatment. Most report that they are more relaxed, sleeping better, and feel more levelheaded.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
The biggest misconception I encounter is that acupuncture is a “magic bullet.” Sometimes individuals think that their chronic issues can be completely resolved in just one or two treatments. One treatment may not be enough—if you’ve been dealing with an issue for a long time, it will take time for the body to heal.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I stay healthy in my own life first and foremost by eating healthy, organic fruits and vegetables, and grass or organically fed meats. I eat seasonally and locally as much as possible. As well, I take every opportunity to laugh and live in the moment. This keeps me mentally healthy. I also walk and hike in the great outdoors as often as possible and practice yoga regularly.

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(512) 814-5570
mariposafamilyacupuncture.com
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3445 Executive Center Drive, Suite 229, Austin, TX 78731

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I became an acupuncturist, herbalist, and author of health and wellness books because I have a passion and desire to help people reach their own individual optimal health and fertility.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
As well as practicing for almost a decade, I am a published author of health, wellness, and fertility focused books. I am an avid professional who is considered one of the nation’s leading alternative health, wellness, and fertility experts.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Helping my patients find peace, joy, and optimum health in a way that works for them.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Acupuncture to me is much more than just needles—it is a way of life, as acupuncture is just one facet of Traditional Oriental Medicine. I work with my patients on a much deeper emotional, spiritual, and nutritional level. Acupuncture is just one of my many tools.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I practice what I preach. I eat clean. I meditate. I find joy in my every day. I get acupuncture. I am constantly tuned in to the environment around me. I am always eager to learn more.

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aimeeraupp.com
aimee@aimeeraupp.com
(845) 988-6913
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928 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10012
15 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
We became acupuncturists because of our combined positive experiences with Traditional Chinese Medicine, our desire to pursue a deeply meaningful career, and our academic interest in a philosophical medicine.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
We practice classical Chinese medicine, an unabbreviated form of Chinese medicine. In classical practice, medicine and health are regarded as arts that are informed by an understanding of our place in the natural world and each individual patient. We treat by choosing among 74 channel systems, using a straightforward, elegant, and thorough understanding of human physiology and pathology as laid out in a variety of classical texts.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The most rewarding moment for us is when a patient begins to notice the subtle but pervasive changes in his or her daily experience. As patients progress through treatment and become more deeply connected to themselves, they generally begin to feel less divided between “mind and body.” This is a beautiful and humbling time for us as practitioners. It’s an honor to be a part of a person’s process as they become an assimilated whole, casting off pain, darkness, and old misconceptions in favor of a belief in their own capacity to heal.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
The idea that acupuncture and herbalism are only for a certain kind of person is probably the saddest misconception about the medicine. The belief of who this “certain kind” of person is varies. Some people think you have to be rich, or young, or a hippie, or an atheist, or a Buddhist, or have back pain. Acupuncture and herbalism are for anyone who’s interested—and the medicine can help an uninterested person. Certainly active participation yields better results than resistance or disinterest, but we’ve seen skeptical and disbelieving people have excellent results.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
We live as simply as possible, staying connected to our resources and our values. As small business owners ourselves, we support other small businesses so that we can help to grow healthy, vibrant, and self-sufficient communities. We love to cook, using foods we grew and locally grown foods. If we eat out, we favor neighborhood eateries. We believe in the importance of receiving the medicine that we practice, and both get weekly acupuncture treatments and custom herbal formulas. We also get monthly massages. Living in the mountains of Virginia means that we have access to incredible outdoor recreation opportunities. We spend as much time as we can on the Appalachian Trail. We also enjoy practicing yoga and qigong, but get much of our exercise keeping up with our toddler.

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vcacu.com
info@vcacu.com
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22 S. Roanoke Street, Fincastle, VA 24090

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
While living abroad in Japan, my own health journey had a life-altering course correction by a Japanese acupuncturist. I knew I wanted to share this powerful medicine with those in the West and pay my good luck forward!

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I worked at an investment bank in New York to put myself through school for Asian medicine. I understand first hand how stress can wreak havoc on the body. I also believe that dis-ease is a blessing and a lesson in disguise—it puts us out of our comfort zone, which is the sweet spot for growth.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
My patients are my greatest teachers and sources of inspiration. They continually leave me in amazement of the human spirit. I love the journeys I’m privileged to witness on a daily basis.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That you need to “believe” in acupuncture in order for it to work. Acupuncture calls on your body’s own innate ability to heal, despite your mind. Some of the most responsive patients are animals and children, neither of which “believe” in it.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Kundalini yoga and qigong have become vital staples in my daily health practices. As someone with autoimmune, diet is absolutely critical for me, as is regular acupuncture.

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ancienthealingformodernliving.com
acuheidi@gmail.com
(917) 207-9715
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928 Broadway, Suite 1200, New York, NY, 10010

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
While growing up in a family of Western medical doctors, I always believed there had to be another way to treat maladies besides using antibiotics and pharmaceuticals. With acupuncture, I found that way. Using your own body, acupuncture helps to bring you back into balance by treating not only the symptoms of your pathology but also the root of your imbalance. ​​I received my bachelor’s degree at University of California Santa Barbara and moved to Los Angeles in 2001. Having lived here for over a decade, I know the stressful demands that this city can put on your body and mind. Acupuncture has helped me to maintain a healthy, pain-free, and relatively stress-free lifestyle. My goal is to help you do the same!

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
Attending the master’s program at Emperor’s College allowed me to see hundreds of patients in the college clinic, while affording the opportunity to work with patients outside the clinic at The Disney Cancer Center in Burbank, and at UCLA’s Arthur Ashe Medical Center. I have recently received training in the Mei Zen Facial Rejuvenation techniques of cosmetic acupuncture, which not only helps to reduce visible signs of aging but also strengthens the body’s immune system, thereby promoting longevity. ​​I am also a certified yoga instructor, having trained at Yogaworks Center For Yoga. I incorporate this training into my practice, using yoga as an adjunct to acupuncture as a healing modality.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love to help people. Helping people transform their lives through regular acupuncture and guided lifestyle changes is the most rewarding experience.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
The biggest misconception about acupuncture is that it is painful. I myself suffered from a fear of needles growing up, but when you experience acupuncture, you realize how comfortable the experience can be. The needles are hair-thin, and the sensations that you experience are often quite pleasurable and relaxing.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I see an acupuncturist every week to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I also exercise three-to-four times a week, and I eat balanced meals with lean meats and vegetables and fruits daily. I practice yoga three-to-four times a week and meditate daily.

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jenniferhogeracupuncture.com
jenniferhogeracupuncture@yahoo.com
(323) 445-9048
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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I have always been fascinated with the human body, health and medicine. Originally, in my undergraduate studies, I majored in biology, planning to continue onto medical school. During the second half of my program I met a doctor of Chinese medicine who was also an expert of internal cultivation practices. The time I spent studying with him was truly transformative, so much that I changed my degree program and continued on to get my masters in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
In its essence, acupuncture is really an art form. Once a practitioner understands the theory, he naturally will immerse himself in practice. It is in practice that we learn through experience how one practices this medicine. For myself, I find that spending the time and listening to the patient is most beneficial. I typically spend almost the entire appointment time in the treatment room utilizing different modalities to optimize the treatment.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The reward is two-fold. First, I consider myself very fortunate to be able to wake up each morning and have a practice that is also my passion. Secondly, and more importantly, being able to help facilitate positive change in peoples’ lives is the greatest reward.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
First, it is common for people to think acupuncture is only a system of healthcare of last resort. To the contrary, TCM is a diverse system of healthcare that can treat a variety of symptoms, with its primary focus being on prevention. Secondarily, I see that patients are often confused or skeptical by the language used in TCM. While the descriptive language is expressive and symbolic, it stems from observations of human experience. Hence, while the language may be different, human experience is universal across continents and time.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I have found that health is a combination of maintaining an easy nature, eating healthy, and gentle exercise. My approach is to foster balance and nourish the self through meditation and Taoist exercises.

What is unique about your practice?
We are committed to spending the necessary time, creating the space, and allowing the process that supports health and vitality. In our modern world, focus on the patient is often overlooked and undervalued. We aim to restore quality care and patient satisfaction. We see individuals one at a time, and that time is focused entirely upon your treatment.

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healingtortoise.com
healingtortoise@gmail.com
(206) 926-9494
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8113 Stone Avenue N, Seattle WA, 98103

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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?
No man is an island. No one symptom is an island. No cell is an island either. I was on the med-school track in college, having a hard time staying interested in looking at the world through a microscope. One semester, I took a class on Eastern versus Western medical philosophy. That’s when things started to make more sense.

The holistic approach to Eastern medicine and philosophy—the focus on community and our mind’s relationship with our body, and our organs’ relationships to each other—all made so much more sense to me. So, I changed my focus. I zoomed out. And now I get to do the same for others. I get to help other people see the bigger picture with their pain and problems, and help them live better with their bodies as one.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
My ultimate goal as an acupuncturist is to never see you again, or, to see your sparingly. Yes, it’s a terrible business model, but it’s what I believe in. Acupuncture’s main function is to stimulate the body’s own ability to heal and take care of itself. My short-term goal is to prime that healing pump and get your body’s circulation moving. Once things start to circulate, your body learns to take over.

Think of a flowing stream versus brackish water. There’s life in the flowing stream, and as long as it keeps flowing, it won’t become brackish and end up being a breeding ground for thousands of mosquitoes. We have too many of those in Texas as it is.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
People are awesome, and knowing that I can help make awesome people healthier is very enjoyable. The easiest way to health is to simply be aware. When a person knows that physical pain is also mental, and mental pain is also physical, he instantly becomes more aware of his own body. So, I not only help people feel better, I help them be better to their bodies. You only have one body, so be nice to it!

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
I think it’s really great when I get a patient who is already aware of acupuncture and tells me that he believes in it. But, you don’t need to believe in acupuncture to make it work. Acupuncture has been holding its own for thousands of years. There are hundreds and thousands of studies and texts about how acupuncture effectively improves a myriad of conditions. Acupuncture just works!

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I stay healthy by staying balanced. I’ve run a marathon and sat through a movie marathon at Alamo Drafthouse. I do eat Texas barbecue—how can you not? I do have days where all I do is sit around and read or watch movies. These aren’t actions to feel guilty about, but natural counterparts to running errands all day, working, and being food conscious.

Creating a balanced lifestyle is not about working hard and playing hard. Working hard and playing hard is still “hard.” It’s not about pushing your body to the limits. It’s about listening to what your body wants and finds easy. If your body is enjoying itself, it won’t give you a hard time when you do need to push it.

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pkwellness.com
phyllis@pkwellness.com
(512) 650-8880
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1502 West 6th Street, Suite A, Austin, TX 78703

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I suffered for most of my life with chronic conditions for which conventional medicine seemed to have no treatment or explanations. I was allergic to everything, my immune system was shot, I had major digestive problems and at 23 years old, I hadn’t had a period in two years. Despite seeing multiple specialists, taking fistfuls of medications, and spending thousands of dollars, I had no relief and soon realized that conventional medicine offered no answers to why I felt the way I did or what could be done to resolve it.

I began experimenting with several different alternative medicine modalities, including acupuncture. After my first acupuncture treatment, I started my period the next day! With continued therapy, my entire body began to recover! My health was returning and it made such an incredible difference in my life that I decided to go to acupuncture school myself so that I could provide people with the compassionate and root-cause-centered treatment that had literally changed my life.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
Whereas many acupuncturists utilize mostly acupuncture, Chinese herbs and other TCM therapies, I have found that the vast majority of conditions that I treat involve, to some degree or another, nutritional deficiency or toxicity. In these cases, I have found the best results come from first determining any dietary sensitivities or other sources of toxic influence that are interfering with their body’s natural ability to heal, and then focusing on re-educating my patients on what constitutes a biologically appropriate human diet.

Healing in the body cannot occur without adequate nutrition! Your body intends to use the nutrients obtained from your diet to create the building blocks for the repair and maintenance of all of your body systems. Without adequate nutrition—nutritional deficiency being a major problem in our society as a result of incorrect dietary information and our nutritionally bankrupt food supply—your body systems are unable to function as they should.

I combine the time-tested therapeutic benefits of acupuncture and other TCM modalities with a teach-a-man-to-fish philosophy in healthcare, educating my patients on how to set the stage for optimal nutrition and therefore optimal healing.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
How did I ever get so lucky to have my dream job?! I get to work every day in a soothing, relaxing, spa-like setting. I get to make my own hours, bring my dogs to work with me, and continuously feed that eternal student inside of me. I’m blessed to form close relationships with new and fascinating people who are willing to step outside the proverbial “box.”

I get to play a role in transforming people’s lives and bodies for the better, helping them regain the body they used to know, but thought they had lost. Their frustration and discomfort turns to gratitude and joy and I get to be a witness to that transformation. I get to turn worst-case-scenario diagnoses and suggested invasive procedures into relaxing, successful acupuncture treatments. As if the gratitude that comes my way isn’t rewarding enough, I get paid for it as well! Best job in the world!!!

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
“Oh, I could never do acupuncture. I’m terrified of needles.” Uh, hello, I’M terrified of needles! When I have to get blood drawn, I’m that girl who turns pale white, throws up and passes out all at the same time. Hypodermic needles, however, are completely different from acupuncture needles. Ten acupuncture needles can fit into the hole of a hypodermic needle and you can curl an acupuncture needle like a ribbon with just your fingertip. If I can needle myself, anyone can get acupuncture and feel totally comfortable and relaxed.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
By eating a biologically appropriate diet, daily nutritional supplementation, exercise, lots of time spent out in nature, and acupuncture as needed!

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turningpointacupuncture.net
melanie@turningpointacupuncture.net
(480) 219-1237
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8591 E. Bell Road, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

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