My Journey with Acupuncture

I started getting acupuncture after I decided to go to acupuncture school. 

While studying massage therapy in New Zealand—on a break from the premedical track at Bryn Mawr College—I saw one acupuncture demonstration and knew that was my calling. And, I figured I should try it out before, you know, committing my life to the discipline. I was grasping for why one would go to an acupuncturist in the first place, but I was 22 and suffered from chronic acne so I figured that could be a starting point. I had very little money and acupuncture was expensive, but a certain acupuncturist’s card came across my desk on three separate occasions and I took this as a sign to go see her. 

Since I was late to my first appointment my acupuncturist said she would do a simple “four needle treatment” on me, and left me in the room with recorded singing bowls playing on a speaker. I proceeded to weep for half an hour—not because I was in pain or upset, but because the tears spontaneously and persistently needed to flow out of me. When she returned, the acupuncturist explained that the skin is connected to the lungs, and the lungs are connected to grief. Ahh. And so began my journey with Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

There are many reasons you might want to try acupuncture. Usually people come to me with a pronounced physical pain (e.g. neck, back, jaw, shoulder) that they haven’t been able to resolve through other avenues like massage, painkillers, physical therapy, or talk therapy. Sometimes the complaints start there and then we branch out into poor sleep or digestion, anxiety and depression, fertility concerns, problematic periods or menopause symptoms, low energy, and maybe even skin conditions. 

It’s all related, of course. 

My skin problems, fatigue, and irregular periods were all symptoms of a deep unprocessed grief around losing my mother as an infant and an anorexic/vegetarian diet that left me practically malnourished (and please don’t skim over the profound theme of nourishment here). My healing journey was multifaceted, and took time. I have been blessed with the guidance of many powerful, loving practitioners who helped me learn how to heal and now I aim to offer similar solace.

Today, my sessions are offered in half-hour or full-hour increments. Sometimes I stay in the room the entire time, talking to you about what you’re experiencing and what led up to this moment; sometimes I leave you with the needles to rest deeply and have a direct experience with Source. Sometimes I do bodywork, cupping, tuning forks, or gua sha. We may read Tarot cards or talk to spirit guides. At times the needles are retained for a while, and other times they are used more like a reflex hammer to wake up different parts of your body and open your energy flow. I often incorporate a short Reiki treatment while you’re on the table.

My diagnostic skills rely heavily on taking your pulse (very different than the Western pulse system), palpating your abdomen and any areas of pain, and perceiving…you. For remote patients we focus entirely on state of mind and energetic field, and relaying any information that can be useful as you seek insight and relief. 

The initial visit is longer because I want to really get to know you and hear your full story. You can book a Discovery Call first if you’d like to discuss. I generally recommend committing to a series of 4-6 treatments at the outset, then we can assess your progress together.