The health of the human body revolves around its interactions with the surrounding environment—creating the yin and yang philosophy. At Acupuncture Woodbury, a premier Twin Cities acupuncture clinic, co-owner Weili Shen focuses on traditional Chinese medicine to offset negative effects of habits that could otherwise lead to disease, illness or chronic conditions, therefore balancing “Qi,” your body's energy.
Shen, who received her master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine, has practiced as a licensed acupuncturist for more than 20 years. In 2007, she opened Acupuncture Woodbury, after being inspired by her mother who was a medical doctor.
Acupuncture is a natural way of promoting self-adjustment. However, it does not carry the same side effects and risks of other modern healthcare remedies. “The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself,” co-owner Haiyan Zhang says.
According to acupuncture theory, the body consists of 14 meridians (Jing Lou), which are points on the body where energy and other fundamental substances flow to align the internal organs (Zang Fu). It's believed that during the treatment, the needles activate points on the meridians, thus stimulating healing.
While the general function of acupuncture is to align the body, the treatment has the ability to focus on
specific symptoms of each client, especially pertaining to pain.
Acupuncture Woodbury provides a variety of treatments for clients of all ages, tailoring each session, which can run from 15 minutes to an hour, to the client’s needs. They conduct treatments for issues pertaining to psychiatric, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological, gynecological and dermatological disorders. Before starting any holistic treatments, it’s important to clear it with your medical doctor.
“Acupuncture has a long history of being used in oriental countries for treating all medical problems,” Zhang says. “[And] Acupuncture Woodbury is a center of excellence for that traditional Chinese medicine.”
Vocab
Learn your way around acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine with these common words and phrases.
Jing Lou: A channel in which Qi (see below) and other vital energies flow through. Jing Lou connects all parts of the body into one energetic flow. (also known as “meridians.”)
Qi: Translates to “air,” and figuratively means energy or vital life force. (Also known
as “Chi.”)
Yin and Yang: The philosophy that the universe is composed of complementary forces, including sun and moon, dark and light, male and female.
Zang Fu: Five pairs of yin and yang organs that produces and regulates Qi in the body.
