Acupuncture of West Michigan

05/12/2026

For years, acupuncture research was often dismissed with:
“If we don’t understand how it works, it must be placebo.”

That conversation has changed dramatically.
We now have research showing measurable local tissue changes around acupuncture needles, release of chemicals involved in pain control like endorphins, and neurological changes seen in fMRI studies.

But one big question has remained:
What exactly are the acupuncture meridians?
Many practitioners — acupuncturists, massage therapists, and physical therapists alike — have long suspected these pathways relate to the body’s connective tissue and fascial networks.

Now, emerging research into the interstitium may help explain this on a deeper level.

The interstitium is a body-wide network of fluid-filled connective tissue that interfaces with multiple layers of tissue throughout the body. Researchers are beginning to explore whether acupuncture points and meridians correspond with these connective tissue pathways and fluid channels.

From the recent New York Times article:
“One of the most intriguing areas of current research is whether there is a connection between the interstitium and the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture.”
And:
“The acupuncture points have … been found to lie within the same areas of connective tissue where fluid flows through the interstitium.”

This doesn’t mean science has explained everything about acupuncture. But it does suggest that ancient physicians may have mapped functional networks in the body long before modern medicine had the tools to visualize them.

The science around acupuncture continues to evolve — and it’s exciting to watch modern research catch up to what patients and practitioners have observed for generations.

Article here:
NY Times article on the interstitium and acupuncture:

The detection of another circulatory system in the human body could have enormous scientific implications.

05/12/2026

Great news for coffee lovers ☕️

A recent article in ScienceDirect explored what coffee may really be doing to the gut and brain — and the findings are pretty fascinating. Coffee appears to interact with the gut microbiome in ways that may support both digestive and neurological health.

Interestingly, even though we don’t usually think of coffee as a fermented food, the coffee bean actually goes through a fermentation process before roasting. Some researchers believe this may contribute to some of the beneficial compounds that affect the gut microbiome.

A few tips for healthier coffee habits:
• Moderation is key
• Choose freshly roasted coffee whenever possible
• Higher quality beans often taste better and may reduce unwanted contaminants

And while coffee has some impressive benefits, green tea still probably takes the crown when it comes to overall long-term health support 🍵

What’s your favorite way to enjoy coffee?

Coffee doesn’t just energize—it actively reshapes the gut and mind. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee altered gut bacteria in ways linked to better mood and lower stress. Decaf even improved learning and memory, while caffeine boosted focus and reduced anxiety. Together, t...

05/12/2026

May is Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month 💙

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a group of connective tissue conditions that affect how the body’s “glue” (collagen) holds everything together. Many people with EDS or hypermobility experience joints that move beyond a typical range, but it’s much more than just being “flexible.”

For those living with EDS or hypermobility, the day-to-day reality can be complex and often misunderstood.

*It’s the joint pain that seems to move around or never fully settles.
*It’s the feeling that your body is working harder than it should just to get through normal activities.
*It’s frequent injuries, slow recovery, or being told everything looks “normal” when it doesn’t feel that way.
*It’s fatigue that isn’t fixed by rest.
It’s navigating symptoms that don’t always fit neatly into one box.

And for many, it’s the frustration of not being heard—or having to explain your condition over and over again.

If this is your experience, you’re not alone. And your symptoms are real.

This month is about increasing awareness, but also about recognizing the resilience it takes to live in a body that doesn’t always follow the rules. It’s about listening more, questioning less, and supporting people where they are.

If you or someone you care about is dealing with EDS or hypermobility, know that there are ways to support your body, reduce strain, and improve quality of life—with the right approach and the right team.

💙 You deserve to be heard
💙 You deserve to be taken seriously
💙 You deserve care that looks at the whole picture

05/11/2026

In acupuncture and herbal medicine we've long thought that this organ is important through our lifespan - not just in childhood. In addition to points specific for the thymus, we strengthen the lung and spleen to support thymus activity.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. For decades, a mysterious, two-lobed organ nestled behind the breastbone has been overloo...

05/08/2026

As ticks continue moving into more suburban areas across Michigan, Lyme disease is becoming something more people should be aware of — even if you’re not someone who spends a lot of time deep in the woods.

Early signs of Lyme disease can include:
• Fatigue that doesn’t feel normal
• Fever, chills, headaches, or body aches
• Joint pain or migrating pain
• Brain fog, dizziness, or nerve symptoms
• A rash (sometimes the classic “bullseye,” but not always)
One important thing to know: not everyone remembers a tick bite, and not everyone develops a rash.

If symptoms begin after outdoor exposure and something feels “off,” advocate for yourself. Early testing and treatment matter. Lyme testing can sometimes miss early infections, so it’s important to have a conversation with a knowledgeable healthcare provider if symptoms persist.

For those dealing with lingering symptoms, many people find supportive care helpful alongside medical treatment. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are often used to help support:
• Pain and inflammation
• Fatigue and recovery
• Nervous system regulation
• Sleep and stress
• Headaches and muscle tension

As awareness grows, so should prevention:
✔️ Tick checks after being outdoors
✔️ Protective clothing and repellents
✔️ Checking pets
✔️ Paying attention to new or unusual symptoms

The goal isn’t fear — it’s awareness. The earlier Lyme disease is recognized, the better the outcomes tend to be.

This could be an especially bad year for ticks and tick-borne diseases in Michigan. Health experts offer their top tips for preventing tick bites.

05/07/2026

One of my favorite new products uses golden chlorella for B12 - similar to spirulina. Usable forms of B6, B12, and folate are helpful to bring down homocysteine a cause of blood vessel inflammation and a risk factor for heart disease.

A modified form of Spirulina may offer a more sustainable source of vitamin B12.

05/06/2026

Is your pain medication actually making your pain worse?

A recent report highlighted concerns about tramadol—showing that its risks may outweigh its benefits for many people dealing with chronic pain.

And tramadol isn’t the only one.

Many common pain medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—can perpetuate the pain cycle when used long term. Instead of resolving the problem, they can lead to increased sensitivity, dependency, and ongoing inflammation.

There’s a better way.

Acupuncture and targeted lifestyle changes work differently:

* They calm the nervous system
* Improve how the brain processes pain
* Reduce inflammation at the root
* Help your body actually heal, not just cope

This is how you break the cycle—not just manage it.

If you’re tired of chasing temporary relief and ready for real change, let’s talk.
Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward lasting relief.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/health/tramadol-opioid-chronic-pain-study-wellness

05/05/2026

Watch out for this ingredient. It’s in a lot of products sold as ‘health foods.’

https://www.sciencealert.com/common-sweetener-may-damage-critical-brain-barrier-risking-stroke

05/05/2026

Watch out for this. It’s an ingredient in a lot of products sold as ‘health food.’

Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar.

05/04/2026

We use strategies to prevent migraines as well as approaches to stop a migraine that has already started.

Because migraine is a problem with the blood vessels, functional acupuncture points seem to have a much better result than focusing on tight muscles.

Acupuncture reduced migraine frequency and headache-related disability in patients with migraine without aura in a randomized clinical trial. Patients

04/29/2026

A recent The New York Times article — What Is Dry Needling? And Does It Work? — highlights the growing popularity of dry needling for pain relief. It’s an important conversation, but one that needs more context.

You can read the original article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/well/live/dry-needling-benefits-safety.html

Where did dry needling come from? Dry needling is not a new or independent invention. It is derived directly from acupuncture. Many of the points being used today have been documented and refined over hundreds—if not thousands—of years.

Even Janet Travell, often credited as a founder of modern trigger point therapy, studied acupuncture and used acupuncture needles in her work. The overlap is not coincidental—it’s foundational.

In acupuncture, we’ve long used:

Local and Regional Tender Points
Ashi (trigger) points
Local and distal needling strategies

Research comparing maps of trigger points and acupuncture points has found significant overlap—often cited as over 90%. Even the “twitch response” often associated with dry needling is not unique—it has been observed and utilized within acupuncture practice for generations.

The difference is largely terminology, not technique. Much of that terminology shift exists because certain professions use needling but are not licensed to practice acupuncture. They simply have to call it something different to practice. Dry Needling is an extremely simplified version of acupuncture.

Training and safety matter In Michigan, dry needling falls under the legal definition of acupuncture. While there are carve-outs allowing other professions to perform it, there are currently no consistent minimum training requirements. Some dry needling courses are as short as 8 hours.

Compare that to licensed acupuncturists, who complete thousands of hours of education and clinical training.

Why does this matter? Because needling is not risk-free. Adverse events—such as pneumothorax, including the well-known TJ Watts pneumothorax case—highlight the importance of proper training, anatomical knowledge, and clinical judgment.

Better training is not just about improved benefits, it reduces risk. It’s that simple.

Pain is more than just tight muscles Dry needling often focuses on trigger points—and sometimes, that’s enough. But pain is rarely just a local issue.

Pain involves:

The nervous system
Central processing in the brain
Emotional and stress-related components

Acupuncture takes a broader approach.

With over 100 fMRI studies, we now understand that acupuncture doesn’t just affect local tissue—it also:

Modulates brain activity
Calms the perception of pain
Supports nervous system regulation
Facilitates healing

Why this matters for patients If you’ve had needling and only experienced temporary relief, it doesn’t mean the therapy doesn’t work.

It likely means the treatment was too narrow.

A whole-body approach often makes the difference between:

Short-term relief
Lasting change

The takeaway Dry needling is not separate from acupuncture—IT'S AN EXTREMELY SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF IT.

If you’re seeking needling for pain:

Look for depth of training
Look for a whole-body approach
Look for practitioners who understand both local and systemic effects

See a licensed acupuncturist.

Having tiny needles poked into a painful muscle knot is unnerving. But can it help?