"Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease." Hippocrates
“Everything is energy, and that's all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” Albert Einstein
The focus of Eastern medicine is to restore coherence in the body’s systems, and it has a long history of effectiveness for many pain and internal conditions. Eastern medicine includes acupuncture, herbal formulas, massage therapy, and many other methods that focus on achieving optimal health and wellness, and this is the sole focus of our practice.
About Us
There is A LOT of research that demonstrates how acupuncture works, and it’s impressive. If we had to boil it down to one statement, we could say that acupuncture helps the body achieve that steady state of homeostasis it is constantly seeking, so that every component is doing its part and all are working together in a complex collaboration. That’s why diet, exercise and lifestyle choices are key to facilitating longevity.
The Team
Carol Braverman, LAc, MS, Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
Carol received extensive training in western and eastern medicine at Touro College in New York City, and practiced there for five years before moving to Colorado. Touro’s program emphasized a research-based approach, which molded her medical thinking and ability to analyze and get to the heart of the problem. In New York, she worked at two major hospitals in pain management, neuro-rehab, and oncology, and shared a community acupuncture clinic with a collegue, in addition to her private practice.
Carol’s route to Eastern Medicine followed six years of rabid interest in the internal arts qigong and bagua. From a young age, she made the connection between diet, exercise, mental balance, personal growth, and the value of pursuing interests, that they were all of one piece.
Tom Messina, LMT, LAc, MS, Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
Tom trained at the Pacific College in New York City, and maintained a private practice before making the planned move to Colorado. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, he trained at the Swedish Institute and the Upledger Institute for licensing in massage therapy and CranioSacral Therapy. His tactile and intuitive abilities strongly influence his treatment style, which is a combination of massage and acupuncture, and is a very effective method of treating musculoskeltal disorders.
Tom experienced acupuncture when his back muscles suddenly seized up and would not ease up, and after seeing many specialists with no success, tried acupuncture. At the end of the first treatment he was significantly better, and subsequently studied and practiced qi gong, tai qi, and yoga to remain that way. Eventually the path cleared to study Eastern medicine, where he built on his knowledge and experience.
Conditions
Treated
Eastern Medicine is part of a complete system of medicine that has been established for over 3,000 years. Its methods are completely natural and have been proven effective. Acupuncture is a unique method that taps directly into key body systems, making it a very useful procedure for addressing a variety of conditions.
In our practice, we treat a diverse range of conditions, both acute and chronic. Each person’s presentation is unique and treatments are customized accordingly. Some of the most common conditions we see are:
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Fertility support for natural or IVF cycle conception
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GI: IBS, reflux, diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, Crohn’s
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Gynecological: irregular cycles, menopausal syndrome
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Long Covid-19: brain fog, inflammation, insomnia, anxiety
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Mental Health: Anxiety, stress, PTSD, insomnia, mild mood disorders
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Musculoskeletal: joint pain, soft tissue pain, back and sciatica pain, R/A, O/A, fibromyalgia
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Neurological: neuropathies, concussions, headaches, post-stroke/stroke prevention
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Oncology support to offset the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments
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Pregnancy support for nausea, sciatica, CTS, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and labor prep
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Respiratory: common cold, chronic infections, sinusitis, asthma
If you’re interested in understanding more about acupuncture and what it treats, here’s what the National Institute of Health (NIH) has to say about acupuncture. If your condition is not listed on the NIH site, here are more conditions recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) that can benefit from acupuncture.
Whether you’re ready to schedule or want to find out if our treatments can help you, contact us here or call (303) 888-5764.
Chinese
Herbal
Formulas
Chinese Herbal Formulas are a form of superfood that powerfully replenish, restore, rebalance and strengthen health overall. Formulas are combinations of various herbs and natural substances that have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). These ingredients are carefully selected for their specific properties and interactions with each other.
Chinese herbal formulas aim not only to relieve symptoms but also to
address the underlying causes of illness in a wide range of health conditions.
We only use herbal pharmacies that third-party test their herbs and supplements, so we
know that patients are getting herbs of the highest quality. Formulas are consumed as a pill or a tea, or applied on the skin, as a salve, oil or tincture. Whether addressing internal conditions or muscle and joint pain, formulas are a natural way to treat common (and some uncommon) complaints.
If you are interested in a consult, please send your query here.
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Payments&
Policies
Payment & Policies
Payment is due at the time of service. For your convenience, payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. We accept insurance and verify benefits prior to your first visit.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason, the courtesy of 24-hour advance notice is requested. Missed appointments or or last minute cancelations will be charged $25.00 for the visit. However, if we can get you in on the same calendar week, the missed appointment fee is waived. Of course, unforseen emergencies are the exception.
Confidentiality
Patient confidentiality is strictly maintained at all times, in accordance with the law.
Preparing For Your
First Session
Acupuncture treatment works best with regular sessions, because it’s the repetition that makes the relief and repair “stick.”
To get the most out of your sessions:
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Arrive on time
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Wear loose clothing for easy access below elbows and knees, possibly abdomen
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Eat a light meal so you don’t arrive hungry
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Refrain from alcohol or recreational drugs before treatment
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Keep to the visit schedule because acupuncture’s effects are cumulative
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Between visits, make notes of changes in your condition. Please email questions and concerns.
FAQs
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IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
Acupuncture has been proven to be extremely safe when practiced by a qualified, licensed professional (LAc). Statistically, the two most common side effects are a feeling of calm and/or an increased sense of well-being after treatment. Occasionally there may be a bruise at the needled site or a drop of blood will exude when the needle is withdrawn. The needles used for acupuncture are solid metal, they are sterile and disposable, packaged for single-use only. The needles are strong and very thin, roughly equivalent to the thickness of a strand of head hair.
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DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT AND WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
The sensation as the needle penetrates the skin feels different for each person: some feel a brief moment of transitory discomfort that is characterized as a feeling of distention or tingling for a few seconds at the needling site. Others feel very little or nothing. Many report a pleasant sensation of movement inside their bodies that is unlike anything they’ve felt before, a sensation that induces calmness, and describe a fugue state akin to weaving in and out of a light slumber while lying on the table.
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CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP MY CONDITION?
In the US, acupuncture is best known for its ability to treat pain, but in actuality, acupuncture serves a broad population, covering the spectrum from health maintenance to improving the quality of life during end-stage disease. Additionally, acupuncture is being used adjunctively with chemotherapy, infertility treatments, physical rehabilitation, and immune support. While one of its best uses is as a preventative medicine, it also treats many chronic conditions in a minimally invasive way, often reducing the need for or dosage of pain-relief medications.
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HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED TO GET BETTER?
Chinese medicine is cumulative in its effects, and everyone responds differently to treatment. In general, acute or recent conditions will take a shorter time to resolve, and chronic conditions will take longer. Because acupuncture can take several sessions before changes are established, you will be apprised of the recommended number of visits after your first visit, when the practitioner has had a chance to review your case in more detail.
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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON MY FIRST VISIT?
Your first visit is comprehensive, reviewing your condition from both western and eastern medical perspectives. In this way, the practitioner determines what underlies the various presenting symptoms, and sets out a treatment plan to alleviate the immediate problem and its root. Ultimately, the goal is to resolve the complaint so that you are free of it. In most cases we will equip you with knowledge about your condition and make recommmendations so that you can take care of yourself and prevent recurrences. Follow-up visits for tune-ups are often recommended. Many people choose to continue, because regular acupuncture treatment improves metabolic function, leaving one feeling better, stronger, and more relaxed.