about our services
what is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient, holistic medical practice that involves inserting hair-thin, sterile needles at specific acupuncture points according to your individual diagnosis and constitution. Each treatment is highly individualized. The beauty of acupuncture is its ability to set the stage for your entire system to heal and fine tune itself in ways your body intrinsically knows. This process creates balance inside and out, gently lifting and alleviating even the most stubborn of symptoms.
Modern research, including findings from the NIH and WHO, highlights the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing inflammation, promoting circulation, and alleviating pain without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
Each treatment is uniquely tailored to your needs based on an in-depth assessment. As we uncover the root causes of your symptoms, treatments evolve with your healing journey, allowing for holistic recovery.
Eastern medicine focuses on treating the root cause of imbalances, not just the symptoms.
"If you’re looking for an acupuncturist who combines expertise with genuine care, Bri Loken is the one to see. Her exceptional ability to address both physical and emotional challenges with such precision and warmth makes her an invaluable resource for anyone seeking balance and healing.”
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- Jessica A.
what is chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine that offers a natural, holistic approach to addressing a wide range of health concerns.
These formulas, made from plants, roots, seeds, and minerals, are carefully tailored to your unique needs, ensuring a personalized approach to wellness. Whether you're dealing with digestive issues, stress, hormonal imbalances, or chronic pain, Chinese herbal medicine works synergistically with your body to restore harmony and vitality.
Unlike Western medications which often focus on treating the symptoms, Chinese herbal formulas are designed to address the root cause of imbalances in the body while supporting its natural healing processes.
“​​As someone who was unsure of acupuncture and had a rocky start with another practitioner, I am so happy I stuck with it and found Bri. Bri is an amazing practitioner who does not just focus on the issue presenting itself at the time (headache, insomnia, anxiety, etc.) but takes the time to understand and address any underlying issues or connections to try and find the root cause. Her commitment to my health is incredible and I am so happy to have her as part of my wellness team.”
- Heidi D.
what is cupping?
Bri administers cupping with fire. This is called fire cupping, which uses glass cups and fire to create suction on the skin. You will not feel heat and it does not burn! Oil will be applied to your skin prior to adding the cups. Most of the time, the technique Bri uses is called running cupping, which is constant moving of the cups across your body.
This technique is powerful for enhancing circulation, relieving muscle tension, and promoting overall relaxation. ​​
By drawing blood flow to specific areas, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues while aiding in the removal of metabolic waste, which reduces inflammation and supports healing. Cupping activates the parasympathetic response—the "rest and digest" state—helping to decrease stress, improve sleep, and foster a profound sense of calm.
Cupping helps with the following:
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tight muscles
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back & neck pain
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stubborn tension
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headaches
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fascial restrictions
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detoxifying the body
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lymphatic flow
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deep relaxation
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increase mobility
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inflammation​
“I can’t recommend Bri enough as an acupuncturist. She is incredibly intelligent, intuitive, patient and understanding. She always seems to know how to tune into my needs and tailor the appointments to me and what I’m going through, whether that's physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. Her care, knowledge and healing hands have greatly benefited my life.”
- Madison F.
what is gua sha?
If you are on social media, you may have heard of gua sha described as a practice to decrease wrinkles and puffiness on the face. Traditional gua sha is not used on the face for cosmetic purposes, rather it is used with much firmer pressure on the body to break up tense muscle tissue, improve blood flow, decrease pain/tension, vent a cold/flu, or to detoxify the body.
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Gua sha means to scrape and bring up what we call “sha” which is the redness that we see when we apply firm pressured strokes to oiled skin with a gua sha tool.
From the outside, the red marks left behind after a gua sha treatment may look painful. However, it’s actually the opposite. Gua sha leaves the muscles feeling loose and relaxed. It's also detoxifying and anti-inflammatory. Similarly to after cupping, patients report deeper, more rejuvenating sleep after a gua sha session.
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Consider receiving gua sha if you hold all of your tension in your neck and upper back... or if you have a stubborn pain in your back that you can’t quite get to relax... Or if you have lung congestion, asthma, an upper respiratory bug, or are feeling that initial tickle in your throat +/- body aches. Receiving gua sha at the onset of a flu will help vent out the pathogen before it invades.
