Community Acupuncture in Eden, UT

Community Acupuncture is an affordable alternative to individual appointments. This revolutionary business model has the goal to make acupuncture more affordable and accessible.  In the community acupuncture setting, clients are treated in a room, seated in a recliner, at the same time as 2 or 3 other clients.  Needles are placed in distal points (below the knee and elbow, on the scalp as well as on the ear) so that patients can remain fully clothed during a treatment. Many conditions, including low back pain can be treated with distal acupuncture points.  By sharing the space and the acupuncturist time and attention, clients also essentially share the cost.  By making acupuncture treatments affordable, in this case, $20 per session, it is hoped that patients can make more frequent visits and their conditions will respond favorable and more quickly.

In the Community Acupuncture setting, a very brief history is obtained, as well as a pulse evaluation. Clients will pick a chair and then needles are placed.  It is recommended that you wear loose clothing that can be easily and comfortable pushed above your knees and elbows. Shoes and socks are removed, as points are often selected in hands and feet. The environment is respectfully quiet.  Many believe that the community setting itself has a healing quality to it, a certain collective energy in the room. Clients usually are ready to have their needles out in 45 minutes to an hour, but can stay as long as they’d like, unless after one hour someone else is waiting for a treatment.

During an individual acupuncture session (not Community acupuncture) a more thorough history and evaluation is obtained, as well as additional therapies can be utilized, i.e. cupping, acutonics etc.  If you feel you’d like to be evaluated and treated initially with an individual session like this, then follow up in the Community Acupuncture setting that is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it could help me individualize and fine tune the point selection to better treat your condition.

Community Acupuncture treatment is still geared to treat you condition. It is $20 per session. In addition, during the Community Acupuncture hours, I am also offering an ‘intro to acupuncture’ session, where a general treatment of 4 to 6 needles are placed for either  a nourishing of qi/energy treatment , or a calming/relaxing treatment. This is your chance to try it out, especially if you’re worried about how the needles will feel.  Shan Yao Mountain Medicine will be offering Community Acupuncture during the hours of the Farmers Market, Saturdays from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. At this point in time, no appointments are necessary, Walk Ins encouraged.  In the future as demand increases,  clients will sign up for a specific time the week before, or call to make an appointment/reservation.  If for some reason I’m not out front marshalling people in to try acupuncture, please just walk back through the High Altitude Fitness cardio room, start your paperwork and pick your chair!! Hope to see you there, enjoying the Farmers Market and adding acupuncture to aid in your health and wellness!  Shan Yao Mountain Medicine is an Acupuncture and Chinese Herb Clinic, Beth Kristenson Licensed Acupuncturist. Regular clinic hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. by appointment, at 801-783-2094.

Eden, Ogden Valley Acupuncture

Shan Yao Mountain Medicine Acupuncture and Chinese Herb Clinic of Eden, UT, is just a short drive up beautiful Ogden Canyon for Ogden City.

The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Chi or Qi, present in every living creature.  This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians or channels.  As long as this energy flows freely, health is maintained, but once the flow is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness occur.  Imagine rivers that are blocked, leading to floods above the blockage and no water flow below.  Acupuncture works to re-program and restore the normal flow of energy by stimulating points with very fine needles. This allows the body to re-balance and heal itself.

Acupuncture for Common Cold and Flu

Chinese Medicine is a Holistic medicine, in that it treats the whole body, mind and spirit. It is primarily a preventative type medicine, in that in old days in China, if you got sick, then your acupuncturist wasn't very good. Following Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, which include acupuncture, herbal therapy, food therapy, meditation therapy (Qi Gong) and movement therapy (Tai Chi),  a person would have strong wei qi (protective qi) and zheng qi (righteous/healthy qi) and therefore, be able to fight off evil qi (Xie qi).   The daily stresses of life, including work, diet, emotional/relationship challenges, lack of or too much exercise, all contribute to weakening your righteous and protective qi. When Evil qi is stronger than healthy qi, you get sick.

Regular acupuncture to balance and strengthen your healthy and protective qi will help prevent frequent colds and perhaps lessen the severity of the flu. In addition, there are Chinese herbal formulas that, if taken early in the first day or two of a cold or flu, will stop the progression of the cold, or minimize the symptoms and duration of the sickness.

A common cold is considered Wind Cold, and includes the symptoms of chills, muscle aches, scratchy throat, runny nose, low grade fever. Wind Cold can transform into Wind Heat. Wind Heat symptoms include fever, some chills, significant sore throat, and general malaise and fatigue.

Chinese herbal formulas are different than medications in that they use whole plant parts,  leaves, twigs, berries, etc. Pharmaceuticals, in general, look for the active ingredient in a plant, and then isolate and concentrate it. With herbal therapy, it is believed that by using the entire plant part with it’s multiple actions, and combining it with other plant parts, to enhance some actions and minimize others, you get a safer, more gentle and even more effective result. The herbal formulas for Wind Cold and Wind Heat that I have available are made in China under ‘Best Manufacturing Practices’ and then packaged in the United States. I take herbs on a regular basis, and have found that the formulas for cold, sore throat and flu are very effective. If you’d like to purchase some of these herbs to have on hand and ready in the event you feel a cold coming on, contact me at 801-783-2094.  You can also be treated with acupuncture during a cold or sore throat, to aid you in fighting off the evil qi.  The nurse in me can’t emphasize enough the importance of washing hands, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and staying home and resting when you are sick.

Shan Yao Mountain Medicine Acupuncture Clinic continues to offer acupuncture via the ‘community acupuncture’ model the first and third Saturdays of the month, from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m.   The community acupuncture model is where multiple (up to 4) clients can be treated simultaneously, thereby sharing the cost. No appointments are needed, and there does not have to be three other people in the room for the lower cost. ($20 per session).  After having signed initial paperwork that includes informed consent and a brief history, clients choose an available lounge chair or the treatment table.  Points are selected primarily in arms and legs from the elbow and knee down. Some shoulder and back points may be selected if they can be accessed without removing clothing.  Once in the treatment area, clients relax to meditative music. Conversation is kept to a minimum, as clients experience an inward healing quietness. Acupuncture needles are retained usually for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the client indicates when they’re ready for the needles to be removed.

Shan Yao Mountain Medicine is located in the Old Town Eden building, behind Carlos and Harleys Cantina, in the back of Bay C (past the cardio-equipment of High Altitude Fitness)  In addition to the community acupuncture model, individual appointments can be made for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. on non-community acupuncture days, and from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. after community acupuncture.
Beth Kristenson L.Ac.