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Eastern medicine is a complete system of medicine including acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na (therapeutic massage), moxibustion (use of an herb to warm the body), feng shui (the art of placement), tai qi (Chinese exercises), and meditation. Traditional Eastern Medicine is a complete system of medicine that has been practiced in for over 2500 years.

Acupuncture is one of the branches of Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM). Acupuncture involves the use of small, sterile needles (about as thick as a human hair) inserted shallowly into the skin at specific points on the body. Qi (pronounced: chee) is the universal life energy, it is carried throughout the body in channels called meridians and is accessed through the acupuncture points. This treatment can help to move, strengthen, or balance the Qi. Each acupuncture treatment is tailored to the body’s individual needs.

It is acupuncture preformed in a community setting, the way it has been practiced in China for thousands of years. At Meeting Point we have a beautiful community room with several massage tables and recliners. In this setting several people can receive treatments at the same time; this creates a healing energy (Qi). We talk in low voices in the community room in order to respect privacy. The Peoples Organization for Community Acupuncture, or POCA, defines community acupuncture as follows: Community Acupuncture is the practice of offering acupuncture: in a setting where multiple patients receive treatments at the same time; by financially sustainable and accountable means, whereby community acupuncture clinics depend directly on the support of the people who receive acupuncture in them, rather than on grants, donations, or other funding; within a context of accessibility, which we create by providing consistent hours, by making frequent treatments readily available, by offering affordable services, and by lowering all the barriers to treatment that we possibly can, for as many people as we possibly can, while continuing to be financially self-sustaining.

Clinical studies have documented acupuncture’s biomedical effects. It has been found that acupuncture regulates the nervous system, releases the bodies natural pain killers (enkephalins), improves blood flow, and activates endorphins and immune system cells at specific points throughout the body.

Acupuncture treats many things. At Meeting Point we treat a lot of pain; back, neck, shoulder, knee as well as fertility, pregnancy, digestive complaints, computer related fatigue and allergies. In a report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the following conditions that have been shown, through clinical trials to be effectively treated by acupuncture: low back pain, neck pain, knee pain sciatica tennis elbow periarthritis of the shoulder sprains facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders) headache dental pain tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction rheumatoid arthritis induction of labor correction of malposition of the fetus (breech presentation) morning sickness nausea and vomiting postoperative pain stroke essential hypertension and primary hypotension renal colic leucopenia adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy allergic rhinitis, including hay fever biliary colic depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke) acute bacillary dysentery primary dysmenorrhea (painful menses) acute epigastralgia peptic ulcer acute and chronic gastritis

Acupuncture, when preformed correctly, is pain-free. A small pinch may be felt upon insertion of the needle. Some people report feeling a tingling sensation or pressure at the location of the needle, others report feeling nothing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

Short Answer... Yes — acupuncture is a powerful tool for wellness, not just for healing. It keeps your body tuned up, helps you adapt to stress, and strengthens your natural defenses. Tell Me More Answer... Yes, acupuncture can definitely help you stay healthy — not just treat illness. Here’s how it works for health maintenance and prevention: 1. Balancing the Body Acupuncture is based on the idea of keeping your body's systems (like circulation, digestion, immunity, and hormones) in balance. Even if you feel fine, regular acupuncture sessions can: Keep energy (called "Qi") flowing properly Prevent small imbalances from turning into bigger problems Improve resilience to stress and sickness 2. Strengthening the Immune System Studies show acupuncture can boost immune activity — helping you fight off infections better and recover faster. People often report getting fewer colds, flus, or allergies when they get regular acupuncture. 3. Reducing Stress (which damages health) Chronic stress wears down the body over time. Acupuncture can lower stress hormones like cortisol, calm the nervous system, and improve sleep, mood, and digestion— all key for long-term wellness. 4. Improving Circulation and Detoxification Good blood flow = better delivery of oxygen and nutrients = faster healing and stronger organs. Acupuncture stimulates microcirculation and helps your body detox naturally. 5. Managing Chronic Low-Level Symptoms Even if you're “not sick,” many people have little issues like: Mild headaches Muscle stiffness Occasional bloating Hormonal swings Poor sleep Acupuncture can fine-tune the body so these issues don't snowball into bigger health problems. 6. How Frequently for Staying Healthy? Some people go once a month for maintenance. Others might go seasonally (every 3 months) to stay balanced with the changing environment. If you’re under more stress (like a tough work period), you might go weekly for a short time, then taper off.

Short Answer... Acupuncture helps you heal, recharge, balance, and protect your health. You don't have to be sick to benefit - it's also a form of proactive self-care. Tell Me More Answer... You can benefit from acupuncture in several powerful ways, depending on what your body needs most. Here’s a clear breakdown: 1. Relief from Pain Acupuncture can: Ease chronic pain (like back pain, migraines, arthritis) Help with injury recovery Reduce muscle tension and joint stiffness Benefit: Less pain, more mobility, better daily comfort. 2. Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity Acupuncture calms the nervous system, helping to: Lower anxiety and stress Improve sleep Sharpen focus and mental clarity Benefit: A calmer mind, better sleep, and more overall emotional balance. 3. Boosted Energy and Vitality Many people notice: More energy Less fatigue More endurance during the day Benefit: You feel more alive, productive, and resilient. 4. Stronger Immune System Acupuncture can: Enhance immune responses Help your body fight infections Shorten recovery time if you do get sick Benefit: Fewer illnesses, faster healing, better overall health. 5. Digestive and Hormonal Balance It supports smoother: Digestion (less bloating, better appetite, regular bowel movements) Hormonal cycles (easier periods, smoother menopause, better fertility) Benefit: Your body runs more smoothly and feels lighter. 6. Emotional and Mental Wellness Acupuncture can help regulate mood by: Releasing feel-good chemicals like endorphins Balancing serotonin and dopamine levels naturally Benefit: A happier, steadier emotional state without relying solely on medications. 7. Long-Term Preventive Health By keeping your systems in balance, acupuncture can: Prevent diseases Slow aging signs Maintain vitality into later life Benefit: You stay healthier longer with fewer serious health issues.

Before Your Appointment: Eat a light meal 1–2 hours before (don’t go on an empty stomach) Wear loose, comfortable clothes (so they can easily access arms, legs, abdomen) Stay hydrated (but don’t drink a ton of caffeine right before) Arrive a few minutes early to relax and be ready to go at your appointment time Bring a list of medications or supplements you take (some practitioners like to know) if you didn’t include them on your initial intake form During Your Appointment: Health history review — you’ll talk about symptoms, lifestyle, stress levels, diet, etc. Tongue and pulse check — traditional diagnostic tools used especially if possibly giving you Chinese herbs Treatment plan explained — the practitioner will tell you what areas they’ll focus on Needle insertion — quick, gentle placement (most people barely feel it) Rest time — minimum of 30 minutes but you can stay until you feel “done” (as long as there is space available) Needle removal — smooth, painless After Your Appointment: Rest if you feel sleepy Drink water to help your body process the treatment Avoid heavy workouts immediately after Notice how you feel — sometimes the benefits unfold over a day or two Mild soreness or emotional release (like feeling teary or super relaxed) is normal and temporary Pro Tips: Be open and honest with your acupuncturist — everything you feel matters. Plan a little downtime after your first session, just in case you feel extra relaxed. Consistency matters — sometimes several treatments are needed to build momentum, especially for chronic issues or daily treatments if it’s an acute injury

On your first visit you arrive a few minutes early to fill out paperwork, a practitioner greets you and shows you back to the community room. You get comfortable in a chair or on a massage table and the practitioner will spend some time with you answering and asking questions. The practitioner performs an acupuncture treatment and you lay back and relax. Some people even fall asleep. The length of time the needles are left in depends upon your body, some people are done after 15 minutes and others like to have the needles in for over an hour. When your treatment is done (your body will know), just make eye contact with the acupuncturist, or raise your hand and they will come over and take your needles out. At the end of your treatment your acupuncturist will talk to you about your treatment plan.

A usual course of treatments is 5 to 10 treatments. While individual healing responses vary, acute conditions tend to resolve more quickly and chronic conditions need more time and patience. Most people feel some relief from symptoms after the first or second treatments. However a good rule of thumb for chronic conditions; it takes one month of treatments for every year you have had the condition. Please be patient with your body as it works to find health and balance.

Because Traditional Oriental Medicine is such a complex medicine, be sure to seek treatment from a qualified professional. Your acupuncturist should have a Masters Degree in Traditional Oriental or Chinese Medicine, which includes over 3,000 hours of training. They should be nationally certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). They should be licensed in the state in which you are seeking treatment. Learn more about requirements in Colorado. The most commonly used abbreviations are: L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) and Dip.L.Ac. (diplomat of acupuncture). Please note that in some states chiropractors and doctors can attend courses for less than 300 hours and receive a certificate to use medical acupuncture. This is not the same as an acupuncturist who is fully trained in Traditional Oriental Medicine. As with any health care professional, if you do not feel that you are receiving the quality of care you deserve, seek treatment elsewhere.

Jessica has a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She studied at Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver and the International School of Oriental Medicine in Beijing, China. She is a licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Colorado and is nationally certified as a Diplomat in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). >>Learn more about Jessica Kimberly is a NCCAOM and Colorado state certified licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and a NREMT certified wilderness emergency medicine technician (WEMT). She possesses formal backgrounds in Eastern and Western medicine, and keeps her approach to health care practical by working with folks of all ages in the clinic, kitchen, and garden. >>Learn more about Kimberly

Days/Hours

We have a sliding scale for people who receive treatments in our community room. Our scale ranges from $20-$50 per treatment. You pay what you can afford. We do not need proof of your income, or financial status, you simply pay what you can on the day you come in. Our model is designed to make acupuncture an affordable healthcare option for everyone. Read more about our Services & Fees.

WSCA accepts cash or credit cards.

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