Acupuncture + Chinese Medicine

Enjoy greater wellness with Chinese Medicine. Our personalized treatments are relaxing and restorative. We will delve into your health history, consider your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and create a diagnosis and treatment that meet your individual needs.

Acupuncture has been repeatedly proven to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and increase blood circulation. It does so by activating qi and blood along meridians, or channels, that travel the length of the body. While science has not yet discovered the full means by which Chinese Medicine works, it has been shown to effect the electrical and nervous systems of the body, impact neurotransmitters, and reduce substance P (which is responsible for the sensation of pain). Amazingly, Chinese Medicine works on physical, emotional and mental levels, offering a full spectrum of healing. 

Schedule today to experience greater wellbeing.

Blue Heron’s acupuncturists reflect the wide spectrum of lineages within Chinese Medicine: classical, traditional, japanese and five element. Each embodies its own transformative ability to uplift lives and empower healing. Come experience these different styles of acupuncture for yourself. We welcome you to schedule with any or all of our practitioners to find the best fit for you.

Blue Heron’s acupuncturists are nationally certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed to practice in South Carolina. They received their Master’s Degrees in Chinese Medicine from four-year graduate degree programs, which included 2-year, 800-hour internships working with patients under clinical supervision. Components of their curriculums included acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, dietary therapy, tui na massage, and qi gong. The programs they attended emphasized a strong foundation in Western medicine in order to provide the best patient care. In their practice, Blue Heron’s acupuncturists integrate knowledge of Chinese and Western medicine and make referrals to other practitioners for specialized or additional care as needed.

Lisa Abernathy, Sarah Welch and Dr. Rachel McIntyre studied under Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist priest and a leader in bringing Classical Chinese Medicine to the West. In their classical acupuncture graduate program, they studied the Five Meridian System (Primary, Luo, Eight Extraordinary, Sinew and Divergent meridians).  Sarah Dufresne studied Classical Chinese Medicine, with a focus on japanese acupuncture, which presents refined and gentle needle and non-needle techniques. All of our practitioners, including Nicole LaFountain, utilize Traditional Chinese Medicine and the NADA addictions protocol. Additionally, Nicole offers trigger point acupuncture and Aven Whitmire practices Five Element Acupuncture. Lisa, Nicole and Dr. Rachel are certified herbalists and love creating herbal formulas for patients. These methods provide an array of tools with which we can best meet patients’ needs.