Why did you become an acupuncturist?
I chose to study acupuncture during my third year of naturopathic medicine training, when I realized that acupuncture addresses physical and emotional discomfort in efficient, effective and sustainable ways that are often unmatched in Western medicine. In particular, I was drawn to how Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body and mind holistically, gracefully integrating the treatment of mind, body, and spirit into every acupuncture session. Acupuncture is also appealing because it is accessible to and effective for people with conditions that are not well served by Western medicine, such as sexual issues or addictive and compulsive behaviors. My interest in these areas predates my acupuncture training by over a decade. I’ve worked with harm-reduction organizations, focusing on safer sexual practices and needle exchange programs. So finding an effective, empowering, and sustainable avenue of care made the decision to become an acupuncturist an easy one.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I work in an integrative medicine setting. My clinic and practice are multidisciplinary: MDs, NDs, and acupuncturists working side by side and often collaborating to treat patients. So I live with one foot in the Western medicine world and one in the Traditional Chinese Medicine world. This gives me experience in explaining acupuncture, which is generally delivered in a language of metaphor that defies easy translation into Western terms, to people who have no previous experience with it. It also gives me good insight into how acupuncture fits into the context of all the other types of healthcare a patient may be receiving. This allows my patients and I to have an informed discussion about what to expect from acupuncture, covering what acupuncture can and cannot provide in comparison with other forms of medicine and self-care.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
My favorite part of my job is watching people become more self-sufficient and confident in their wellbeing and recovery. I love talking with people after their first, second, or third acupuncture session when they describe the changes they noticed after their last treatment, even if they struggle to articulate what exactly those changes were. It’s not a report of improvement that I expect or look forward to, but the awareness, hope, and empowerment that arise when people notice a change in how they feel. It’s an old joke that good healthcare providers tend to put themselves out of business, but I appreciate the sentiment behind it. I genuinely enjoy the moment when a patient feels empowered to set their own schedule for follow up, confident they’ll know when their body tells them they need to return

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
The biggest misconception I hear is that acupuncture needles are magic—that the needles do the work that makes a person feel better. The needles are tools that allow the body to unstick and refocus its energy in more productive ways. The needles are tools that help unlock unrealized healing potential within the body. The needles facilitate the body’s innate ability to heal. I agree with my patients when they say that acupuncture feels like magic, because sometimes I feel that way too after my own acupuncture sessions. But I take care to explain that despite that feeling we can get from the needles, the magic of good health and healing isn’t in the needle itself. Rather, it’s in the body, mind, and spirit. The needles are efficient tools to access our own healing potential and allow the body to do what it is designed to do—sustain life and wellbeing.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
Maintaining a work-recreation balance keeps me happy and healthy. My work is balanced between seeing patients, the majority of what I do time-wise, and teaching addictions and disorders classes as adjunct faculty for Bastyr University’s Health Psychology Department. Doing one keeps me energized to do the other. I love providing care for individuals in my office, and also having the opportunity to work in the classroom training the next generation of healthcare providers. Outside of work, my lifestyle sustains me: eating in a way that nourishes me, exercising, sleeping, giving myself downtime from screens and social media, and being with my friends and family. I also use acupuncture and Western medicine to maintain my health. My hobbies include reading and participating in general fiction and science fiction book clubs, knitting, and playing harp in a Seattle-based ceilidh band, Seirm.

In what kind of setting do you deliver acupuncture care?
I work in a clinic that caters to women’s health, though I see both men and women in my practice. I also see children and adolescents over the age of eight. The types of conditions I see most often are musculoskeletal pain, allergies (digestive and environmental), headaches, mental health issues, women’s health concerns, including infertility, and cravings for psychoactive drugs and compulsive behaviors. In addition to being a licensed acupuncturist, I am also a naturopathic physician. I frequently see patients for both naturopathic and acupuncture care, but do so in separate appointments. An acupuncture appointment usually lasts 30-45 minutes and can be scheduled back-to-back with a naturopathic medicine appointment if desired. I am credentialed with and accept most private insurance plans, and offer a time-of-service cash discount to patients who do not have insurance or do not receive acupuncture benefits from their insurance plan.

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balancinghealth.net
balancinghealth@frontier.com
(425) 398-9355
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12900 NE 180th Street, #100, Bothell, WA 98011

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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?
I did not like my first acupuncture treatment. It felt way too personal and intimate, something I wasn’t used to in my other healthcare experiences. When my acupuncturist felt my pulse, she closed her eyes and her face became serious. I wondered if she thought I was possessed. She didn’t say so. Instead she sweetly asked to see my tongue. I pushed out the tip. She inquired about the details of my life. I lied to her. But over time I fell in love with acupuncture—the lightness and ease that it brought to my struggles, the clarity it provided during periods of emotional turmoil, the support I felt in making healthier choices. One of those choices was making acupuncture a career. What I enjoy most about being an acupuncturist is helping others live more fully, more easily.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I incorporate naturopathic medicine into my practice and provide nutritional counseling, individualized detoxification programs, and use a focused approach to nutritional and herbal supplementation including spagyric and homeopathic remedies. I teach Focusing, a mindfulness process, which is especially helpful for people struggling with depression and anxiety.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love that I have a job where I can play with needles and fire and it’s considered acceptable. But I really enjoy the work I do with women in their early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It can be one of the most challenging and transformational times in their lives. I am grateful that I get to be a part of it.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
Acupuncture only treats pain. It has helped many of my patients with conditions that are considered mental health issues including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD.

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I eat foods that taste good and help me feel well. I like to walk, especially in the mountains. I treat myself to acupuncture in between seasons.

Do you practice in any locations other than your Renton office?
Yes. I see patients at my private practice in downtown Seattle and I offer retreats in the small town of Quilcene, Washington on the Olympic Penninsula, about two-and-a-half hours from Seattle.

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drdawnflynn.com
dawn@drdawnflynn.com
(206) 330-8490
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Vita Wellness and Recovery: 451 SW 10th Street, Suite 100, Renton, WA 98057

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Why did you become an acupuncturist?
In recognition of the importance of balance—within the body and within our environment. And in respect of individuality, each body and mind being different from the next, deserving customized treatments. As well as, with deep regard to the science and complexity of the human body and its extraordinary ability to heal.

What distinguishes you from other acupuncturists?
I find it beneficial for my patients to emphasize self awareness as a powerful tool for reaching optimal health. I frequently offer take-home tools that can be utilized in daily life. It’s important to me that my patients understand establishing balance within the body means establishing balance in daily life as well. Recognizing the impacts of lifestyle choices begins to steer the mind and body in a healthier direction, supporting the work done within the treatment room. Typically, a treatment with me includes acupuncture paired with an additional TCM modality—such as moxa, tuina, Shiatsu, fire cupping and/or herbal remedy—as well as recommendations for how to strengthen the treatment.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Having the ability to go beyond providing relief of physical pain, by allowing ease of the mind as well. And offering treatment for dis-eases and dis-comforts in a way many have not experienced before. I truly enjoy being able to share a patient’s first venture into the seemingly curious world of acupuncture and TCM, and watching the results unfold as treatment continues.

What is the biggest misconception you hear about acupuncture?
“It must be painful.” It doesn’t have to hurt—in fact, at times a needle is inserted without any sensation at all. Generally there are a range of sensations perceived, such as heaviness, warmth, tingling and sometimes a localized intensity. I’ve come to realize that the unfamiliar sensations associated with acupuncture may be labeled “painful” because a person is unaccustomed to the sensation. Something unfamiliar and intense is easily characterized as painful because naturally our body’s defense system becomes alert when encountering a new sensation. Ultimately, we lack the vocabulary to describe the strange occurrence so we initially think, “pain.” After a treatment or two, the body and mind become accustom to the sensations of acupuncture. I’ll bet you even find yourself looking forward to your next visit!

How do you stay healthy in your own life?
I do my best to keep moderation and awareness in the forefront of mind. I like to be physically active through hiking, walking, biking, jogging, yoga, playing sports and more. I also focus on staying mentally active through reading, meditating, doing jigsaw puzzles, and art and crafts. Quality sleep is also very important to me. I know I do best if I go to bed before 11pm and wake early. With balanced meals and moderation, I provide myself sufficient, clean fuels that are easy for my body to digest. I’m human like the rest of you and know that treating myself with kindness and compassion is the most effective way to keep my mind and body balanced and healthy. This means allowing myself room for mistakes.

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harmonyhouse-acupuncture.com
harmonyhouse.acu@gmail.com
(425) 533-2260
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1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101

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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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