From a Chinese Medicine lens, acupuncture uses the meridian systemto balance overall Qi (vital energy force) of the body. Because stuck qi due to trauma, injury, and environmental factors causes pain and illness, mobilizing and redirecting energy in the body enables its ability to shift imbalances.

From a Western biomedical perspective, acupuncture uses the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and immune system. By regulating and stimulating muscles, blood flow, immune factors, and hormones, acupuncture uses a gentle but powerful approach to managing pain and support well-being.

Anyone can benefit from acupuncture, and there are conditions that in particular respond well to treatment, such as:

• musculoskeletal pain - back, neck, shoulder, knee pain, headaches, injury recovery, fibromyalgia

• digestive issues - SIBO, IBS, constipation

• hormonal conditions - irregular cycles, PCOS, painful menses

• emotional support - anxiety, depression

During a private acupuncture treatment, you will see the practitioner one-on-one, with ample time for an in-depth intake, questions and answers, and some lifestyle recommendations when appropriate and desired. Private appointments can be face-up or face-down on a massage table. During a community acupuncture treatment, three patients are treated in the same room with staggered start times in zero-gravity chairs, with abbreviated intakes and slightly shorter needle time.

Though some patients experience significant relief after one treatment, typically it takes several treatments to shift the body’s disharmonies in an impactful way. Some conditions require months of weekly acupuncture treatments to resolve (especially long-standing or chronic conditions) and tune-up treatments for maintenance. Acupuncture affects everyone differently, and the practitioner will make a treatment plan with each individual patient. That said, most patients should expect to come in for at least three sessions to experience a meaningful difference.

INTAKE: Brief conversation about what the patient would like to work on. The practitioner may ask to feel the pulse, look at the tongue, and ask questions about the patient’s condition.

NEEDLE INSERTION: The patient will lay on a massage table face up or down depending on the condition, with clothing removed or kept on. Treatments are highly adaptable according to the comfortability of the patient. Sterile, one-time use, very thin needles are inserted into various points on the body. The patient may feel a slight pinch upon insertion, and once the needle is in the patient shouldn’t feel discomfort. Needle depth and location can be adjusted if need be.

NEEDLE RETENTION: The practitioner will leave the patient to rest with the needles in for 25-30 minutes before removal. The patient may feel relaxed or fall asleep. The practitioner will check in throughout. Finally, the practitioner will remove the needles and discuss treatment plan.

My acupuncture ethos is rooted in judgement-free care, gender and body affirmation and autonomy, and an awareness that race, class, and culture affect all of our health. Specifically, my practice values:

• a healthcare space free of diet culture norms or glorification of certain body types

• open conversations about how to respect a patient’s identity and life experience

• queer and trans-affirming care

My practice currently does not take insurance, but I can send you a superbill that you can submit for reimbursement.