Holistic Care Approach

The insertion of fine needles into carefully selected points on the body. The goal of acupuncture is to elicit a natural healing response using the body’s own energy or qi (pronounced “chee”). Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and flexible. Upon insertion, one may feel a sensation of heaviness or tingling. Patients often report feeling relaxed or even euphoric after acupuncture treatments. All needles are single use and disposable.

Herbal Supplements – Chinese herbal supplements usually contain between four and twenty herbs. Pre-made pills are used for their convenience. Herbs are used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. Herbs at Holistic Care Approach are from MayWay and Evergreen.

Moxibustion – Smoldering mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) near the body is quite common in acupuncture. There is an old saying that for problems that acupuncture can not help, use moxa. With a little instruction, patients are sometimes asked to use moxibustion at home between treatments.

Cupping – Using a partial vacuum, glass jars are applied to the body. By increasing the local circulation, cupping helps relieve muscle tension and pain.

Massage – Tui Na (Chinese massage) and Acupressure are commonly used with acupuncture. Many patients report that massage is much more effective when combined with acupuncture.

Let’s start with the traditional Chinese explanation: The body contains as many as 20 invisible pathways, called meridians. Qi (pronounced “chee”), a form of energy, flows constantly through these pathways. When meridians are obstructed by poor diet, bad posture, or unhealthy habits, qi builds up in some places and is depleted in others, leading to illness and pain. Some 365 acupuncture points on the skin connect with the meridians. By gently inserting needles in a select few of these points, acupuncturists remove the obstructions and restore the flow of qi.

American medical researchers have not been able to link the meridians to the body’s network of blood vessels or any other observable system, nor can they tell exactly what qi might be. But imaging studies of the nervous system have shown that the insertion of needles triggers the flow of electromagnetic signals through the body. These signals, in turn, stimulate the release of natural painkillers and other substances that can help the body heal.

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health say acupuncture is an effective treatment for many acute and chronic health conditions and provides preventive care. The following disorders may benefit from acupuncture treatments:

Muscle and Joints – Arthritis, back and neck pain, bursitis, fibromyalgia, joint pain, osteoarthritis, sciatica, shoulder pain, sports injuries, sprains, TMJ, tendonitis

Digestion – Low appetite, food allergies, peptic ulcer, constipation, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, vomiting, gastritis

Mens and Womens Issues – Endometriosis, infertility, menstrual problems, menopause, PMS, prostate problems, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infection, vaginitis

Respiratory/Ear Nose Throat – Allergies, asthma, bronchitis, common colds, emphysema, eye diseases, flu, hearing loss, vertigo, sore throat, laryngitis, sinusitis,

Emotional – Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress

Nervous System – Bell’s palsy, dizziness, headaches, migraines, neuralgia, stroke, paralysis, tics, tremors

Heart and Blood – Angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, anemia, hypertension, palpitations, coronary heart disease

Skin – Acne, dermatitis, eczema, herpes, hives, facial acupuncture (wrinkles)

Miscellaneous – Chronic pain, diabetes, fatigue, hemorrhoids, hypoglycemia, hepatitis, immune deficiencies

Addictions – Smoking, alcohol, food, drugs.

Stephen Durell, MTOM, Dipl. Ac. sdurell@mac.com

Stephen Durell, Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine (MTOM), is a National Board Certified Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist and Herbalist. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Emperor’s College of Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, California.

Stephen spent two years treating patients in the busiest student run acupuncture clinic in the United States. He was one of the first acupuncture interns selected to see patients at the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. And Emperor’s College, with its ground breaking partnership with Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital, gave him the chance to be one of only a few acupuncturists to get inpatient hospital training in the United States.

Stephen also provides Herbal Consultations.

Stephen works at HCA on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Kirsten Stanton, M.S.O.M.,Dipl.Ac.

Kirsten Stanton holds a diplomate in Acupuncture from Southwest Acupuncture College, Boulder, CO and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Stony Brook, cum laude. Since graduating in 2003, she has had acupuncture practices in both New Orleans, LA and Billings, MT. She recently relocated to Michigan, and has become a part of the staff at Holistic Care Approach.

Ms. Stanton is excited to announce that she and fellow Acupuncturist, Stephen Durell are partnering their expertise and experience by forming Acupuncture of West Michigan at Holistic Care Approach.

Her practice utilizes Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and dietary recommendations to create a unique treatment plan based upon an individual's needs. Whether you wish to address an acute condition such as a cold or sprained ankle or to confront a chronic illness and initiate a long lasting life change you might want to consider Acupuncture.

Ms. Stanton specializes in the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression, infertility and women's issues. She is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mr. Durrell and Ms. Stanton now work together in their own company called Acupuncture of West Michigan. You can visit them here.