Why did you become an acupuncturist?
For almost a decade before becoming a TCM practitioner, I practiced as a massage therapist specializing in injury and chronic pain, and “Bodywork for the Childbearing Year” for pregnant women. My clients were interested in herbs, acupuncture, and other natural methods for health, but I lacked the education and skills to teach and treat them with anything more than massage. And as a young woman, I also had personal experience with acupuncture and Chinese herbs curing my very heavy and painful menstrual periods. Since women’s health was my interest, and because Chinese medicine was the only medicine that finally cured me, I knew that medical school was no longer the path for me, and that studying Chinese medicine was the way to go.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
My private practice was founded in 2001. I’ve taught and lectured at professional colleges for Chinese medicine and for massage therapy. In 2007 I authored a book, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine & Healthy Weight Loss. You won’t be rushed. These days, many healthcare practitioners (acupuncturists included) rush patients in and out of treatment, leaving you feeling uncared for and leaving your questions unanswered. That won’t happen here. I’ll take my time with you: one-and-a-half hours in the first visit and 45-minute follow ups. You’ll be educated. You’ll learn what’s wrong, why and how it can be healed according to Chinese medical principles, and what self-care techniques you can use. You’ll get value. When you get acupuncture treatments, I offer the following therapies on an as need basis, at no extra charge: nutritional counseling, herbal consulting, cupping, moxibustion, tuina massage, myofascial bodywork, hot stone massage, assisted stretching, and aromatherapy.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
My passion drives me to teach and to write about all types of healthy stuff, about living a naturally fit and healthy lifestyle in body and mind, about instinctual mothering and attachment parenting, about optimal fertility, and about health activism. Over the years, through teaching patients in my private practice and teaching workshops for professionals and families, I’ve learned that patients and students prefer to leave my office, or my seminar, with practical information that they can immediately integrate into life. Learning to take care of ourselves should be fun and active, so my teaching style is lively and interactive, incorporating group activities and learning games.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Many people think that acupuncture is a magic bullet and that only one or two visits will cure years of ailments. Really, it may take 8-10 visits, and sometimes more. With Chinese medicine, I aim treatment at the symptoms of disease and the underlying cause of disease because symptoms tend to reoccur if underlying health issues are ignored. Instead of trying to fit you into a rigid treatment model, I tailor your treatment to fit your unique set of signs and symptoms. As your health develops and changes, so will my treatments. That dynamic progression of energetic evolution manifests as healthy balance in body, mind, and spirit.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Laughter is the best medicine! I love to laugh and to be around fun and funny people, to spend time with my family, to cook, to dance, to practice yoga and mediation, and of course I receive acupuncture and take herbs as needed.

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healthystuffu.com
frontdesk@healthystuffu.com
(212) 894-0767
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41 Union Square West, Suite 519, New York, NY 10003

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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?
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?
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?
To help people! I love working with all kinds of individuals. What makes my job rewarding is the success they feel as they make improvements to their health through my treatments.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I am patient. I utilize many tools employed by Oriental medicine to provide the most effective treatment while still providing comfort, respect and emotional support tailored to each individual client. I am mentally flexible and find ways to work through physical and emotional blockages that cause disease.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The best thing about my work is that success translates into real changes in quality of life for my clients. I happen to thoroughly enjoy performing cupping, gua sha and trigger point therapy. These are among the tools of Oriental medicine that illicit almost immediate changes. That’s always nice to see when working with a gentle and gradual art such as acupuncture.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
1) Acupuncture is just for back pain. This medicine can never be pigeonholed. It can do amazing things for all sorts of folks. 2) It can “mess with” medications. Acupuncture is not contraindicated for those on Western medications. Giving medical history is important, but acupuncture will not interfere with your meds. It can actually improve your response to them and hinder side effects.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I routinely practice qigong to clear my energy, and I practice Pilates to strengthen my spine and core. Diet is my number-one source of balance. If and when I get sick, I see my acupuncturist and take Chinese herbal formulas.

How many treatments are typically required for patients to meet their goals?
For problems that are under a week old, two or three treatments may be all that is needed. For issues that are chronic—months or years old—I say that eight to 12 treatments may be needed to even see progress. Sometimes receiving treatments two or three times a week is necessary for severe issues.

Keep your mind open. If you have not had acupuncture before, get ready for an experience that can reform you from the inside out. Some of my clients come every week for life. They have learned that this is what they need in order to live optimally.

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2ndnatureacu.com
acupuncturesther@gmail.com
(917) 414-3831
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1050 East 18th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I was pursuing an education in dietetics when I saw a seminar on acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was completely fascinated by the information presented which compelled me to change my course of education to follow a career in acupuncture and holistic health. Now I can combine my love of food and its natural healing abilities with the amazing process of acupuncture and TCM.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I strive to maintain a gentle touch during an acupuncture treatment. Many people are apprehensive about the usage of needles or “pins,” causing them to be uneasy about receiving acupuncture. I always give a complimentary half-hour consultation for clients to ask any questions they may have as well as get a chance to look at the needles and experience having a needle inserted. I believe that if you are tense during a session then you are not receiving the full benefits of an acupuncture treatment. I work with the client to maintain a level of relaxation while still achieving the required amount of stimulation to get the desired results.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love being able to help people overcome their ailments before they turn to more drastic options. I can’t help but beam when a client tells me after a session that they feel relaxed and calm or that their pain is gone. More and more people are becoming aware of acupuncture and other holistic therapies and making them a part of their every day healthcare. I am proud to be a part of that movement.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that it only treats pain. Acupuncture definitely has great results with pain and muscle tension but I have also had wonderful results treating digestive disorders, nerve damage, anxiety and so much more. Often regular clients enjoy coming for a relaxing “tune up” treatment to maintain their general health and wellbeing.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I try to practice what I preach. I encourage my patients to follow through with their acupuncture treatment plans to achieve the desired results and I do the same. I receive acupuncture once a week and I love it. It gets to the point that you feel a difference when you miss a session and you can’t wait to go back. For physical activity I do high intensity circuit training and hikes. I strive to maintain a diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains but I do love to sneak in an ice cream treat every once in awhile.

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nicolelongstaff.ca
info@nicolelongstaff.ca
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Vital Health: 1855 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 1M5, Canada

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
Teaching yoga for 10 years made it easy for me to see where my passion lies—in making a difference for people. I loved (and still do) seeing the shift in people, physically, mentally and emotionally from the time they come into a yoga class to the time they leave. I soon realized I wanted a full time career that was designed around making a difference for people, especially in their wellbeing. Being a person who has preferred alternative medicine to more traditional routes for many years, becoming a Doctor of Oriental Medicine was an easy choice. I have never been more fulfilled in a job in my life. I love my patients. I enjoy working with them to make their lives more wonderful!

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I am an advocate for the wellness of my patients. I prefer to work with people who want to get well and stay well, and who are willing to look at lifestyle and dietary changes if that’s what’s needed to get the results they desire. I bring yoga into my practice when it’s appropriate for a patient—for example, for injury rehabilitation or stress and anxiety. I bring all I know to the table to help my patients achieve their desired goals. I am a registered yoga instructor, and am certified in point injection therapy. These modalities, in addition to acupuncture and TCM, can make profound and lasting changes in one’s daily health and wellbeing.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most about my work is hearing from patients how good they are feeling, and seeing the shift in not only their physical condition but also their mental and emotional wellbeing.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
That it’s painful or scary, and that it’s only good for pain. I can’t tell you how many times a new patient has sighed in relief when I show them an acupuncture needle for the first time and tap it gently into a point. “Is that it?” is what I most often hear, usually followed by a laugh of relief. Acupuncture does not have to be painful. Most often patients feel extremely relaxed and even sleep during treatments. The other misconception is that acupuncture is only good for treating pain. While it is a fantastic tool to treat pain, acupuncture works on nearly everything. It treats holistically, looking at the big picture and not just treating the symptoms. I have treated patients with issues ranging from allergies to vertigo and everything in between. If you’re not sure if acupuncture can help what you are dealing with, just call me for a free consultation and find out!

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Staying healthy is important to me. It is difficult for all of us to find the balance in our lives all the time. I use yoga to help me stay centered. I get out on my paddle board or kayak with my husband and daughter and breathe fresh air and enjoy the water as often as possible—that is my restorative place. I try to move a bit every day. I try to watch my diet, making healthy choices the majority of my diet with the occasional chocolate bar or dessert. I try to get to bed by 10 o’clock, drink lots of water, take necessary supplements and Chinese herbs. But my main drive is always balance, in all areas of my life, which is a lifelong journey.

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stone-wellness.com
drstone@stone-wellness.com
(727) 804-6795

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2620 Manatee Avenue West, Suite C, Bradenton, FL 34205

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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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