Aetherium Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

04/06/2026

Four years ago, in the wake of COVID, the idea of Aetherium emerged. My practice in Takoma Park had reached its capacity. I had recently given birth to my first born daughter and wanted to create a healing sanctuary in Washington, DC. I was inspired by the Classical Chinese theory: 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī), the oneness of heaven and humanity. Everything embodied in the Universe is believed to be imprinted in our body and can be used to stabilize our health and bring us back into balance. My vision of Aetherium, the Latin word meaning ethereal, was to invite our community to achieve health, wellbeing, and inner strength by connecting to both Heaven and Earth.

Yesterday, on April 5, Aetherium turned four years old.

Since opening our doors, we have delivered over 6,000 acupuncture treatments and written more than 1,400 customized herbal formulations. Each one represents a patient who trusted us with their health, and that is not something I take lightly. We are also proud to have been voted Best of DC four years in a row, an honor that belongs as much to you as it does to us.

Anniversaries invite reflection, and this one comes with wins and lessons learned. These four walls have witnessed some of the most harrowing and triumphant stories I have ever had the privilege of hearing. I sometimes wish everyone could see the resilience I witness in my patients. Pinch me, because I get to watch the human body heal. Women who struggled to conceive are holding their babies today. Patients with chronic conditions found hope. Menstrual irregularities were resolved. People left feeling empowered in their own health. There are many acupuncturists in the DMV, and the fact that you choose to be here means more than I could ever put into words.

To every patient who has been part of this journey, and to Jen Young, who keeps this practice running with so much care and dedication: thank you. This community is everything.
Here is to four years, and to many more. 🙏

If Aetherium has been part of your health journey, we'd love to hear from you in the comments. Four years of this community deserves to be celebrated together.

📍 Washington, DC
🔗 aetheriumhealth.com

11/09/2025

Not Hungry in the Morning? Here’s What Your Body Might Be Telling You.

That lack of appetite isn’t just about willpower or eating habits — it’s your body’s quiet way of saying, “I’m already working hard.”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your appetite reflects the strength of your Spleen Qi, the system that transforms food into energy.

When this “digestive fire” burns low, your body can’t process food efficiently, so it turns off hunger signals.

You might notice:
- Feeling heavy or foggy after meals
- No hunger in the morning
- Bloating, fatigue, or sluggish metabolism

The good news? You can gently rekindle your inner fire through nourishment and mindful habits — starting with warm, cooked foods like congee and slowing down during meals.

✨ Read the full blog post to learn how to support your digestion and metabolism from a TCM
perspective:

Not hungry in the morning? Learn what your body’s silence is signaling. Explore how Chinese Medicine explains low appetite, slow metabolism, and how to restore balance.

10/06/2025

Conventional care to turn a breech baby to a cephalic presentation (i.e. head down, facing the birth parent’s back, with the chin tucked to the chest) may involve the use of an external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure requiring close medical monitoring. While this method has been shown to be more effective than no intervention, the success rate remains relatively low.** However, growing evidence suggests that moxibustion alone or in combination with acupuncture may assist in turning breech babies to a cephalic position.*** Additionally, many expectant mothers seek alternative interventions, such as moxibustion, to encourage cephalic version.****

Moxibustion, a traditional technique that stimulates acupuncture points with heat, is frequently recommended in acupuncture texts for breech presentation. This technique involves using a compressed herb, often in the form of a cigar-like moxa stick. The procedure entails holding a lighted moxa stick near the acupuncture point BL 67, located on the little toe. While the precise mechanism by which moxibustion influences fetal position remains unclear, research has shown
that moxa emits long-wavelength infrared radiation.***** It has been suggested that stimulating BL 67 promotes the production of maternal hormones (placental estrogens and prostaglandins), which encourage uterine contractions and may increase fetal activity.******

If you’re interested in acupuncture and moxibustion for breech presentation, schedule a consultation with us at Aetherium today!

*West, Z. (2008). Acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth. Elsevier Health Sciences.

**Hutton EK., Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T. External cephalic version for breech presentation before term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2105: doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000084.pub3.

For additional references visit aetheriumhealth.com to find Dr. G’s blog: “How Acupuncture & Moxibustion Can Help Turn a Breech Baby.” References are sourced at the end of the article.

09/17/2025

Medical inductions have increased worldwide, partly due to the rising age and obesity rates among pregnant women. While these inductions can be necessary, they may also come with side effects. As a result, many women are turning to integrative methods, like acupuncture, as a gentler approach to initiate labor.

At Aetherium, our patients who have experienced success with acupuncture for labor induction typically come in frequently, often beginning at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Ideally at 36 weeks acupuncture is administered 2-3 times a week to encourage beneficial hormonal responses for labor preparation. At 38 weeks women are coming in for acupuncture treatments every 2-3 days until labor commences. Our patients are also provided handouts for their partner to start applying acupressure at home.

In some cases, women have been under our care throughout their pregnancy, which helps minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes and prepare the body for labor.

Labor is a profound dance between mother and baby, and acupuncture offers a holistic approach to supporting this process. By integrating acupuncture into their birth plan, many women can experience a more natural and empowered labor.

At Aetherium, we offer customized treatment plans for individuals seeking to induce labor and experience an overall empowering birth. To learn more, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation and to start your journey.

*Zamora-Brito, M., Fernández-Jané, C., Pérez-Guervós, R., Solans-Oliva, R., Arranz-Betegón,
A., & Palacio, M. (2024). The role of acupuncture in the present approach to labor induction: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM, 6(2),
101272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101272

For additional references visit aetheriumhealth.com to find Dr. G’s blog: “The Role of Acupuncture in Labor Induction: A Holistic Approach to Birth.” References are sourced at the end of the article.

09/12/2025

Discover the natural healing power of acupuncture at Aetherium, specifically tailored for women seeking relief and revitalization. 

Our expertly placed needles gently increase blood flow and stimulate nerve fibers, prompting your brain to release healing neurotransmitters and endorphins that diminish your pain and enhance your well-being. 

To learn more about how Aetherium can help assist you in your journey towards pain management and overall vitality, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation.

09/03/2025

Looking to improve your sleep, health, and overall wellbeing? Here is a gadget that Dr. G has personally recommended in the latest edition of the Washingtonian. Hear it straight from her mouth by learning more about the new, integrative wellness device, the Apollo Neuro (starting at $349), that promotes relaxation in the body through touch-therapy vibrations. As she states, “this motion is intended to slow spiraling thoughts and bring you back into your body.”

To learn more about how Aetherium can help assist you in your journey, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation and start your health journey today!

08/28/2025

At Aetherium, we are committed to using only the highest-quality herbs. All herbs undergo rigorous testing for heavy metals, mold, pesticides, and other contaminants, in compliance with FDA, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and EU standards. No sulfur preservatives are used, and most herbs are either ethically wild-harvested or grown in ideal regions with sustainable farming practices. Every batch is traceable from farm to final product, ensuring safety and quality.

We prescribe Treasure of the East herbal extracts, which are five times more concentrated than traditional bulk herbs. Typical dosage ranges from 4.5 to 6 grams, taken twice daily, depending on age, weight, and condition. Detailed dosage instructions are provided to ensure proper use.

However, the formulation and quality of herbs are just one aspect of treatment; the method of preparation is equally important. Herbs must be carefully selected, properly formulated, and of high quality to be effective. At Aetherium, we typically prescribe herbs in the following forms: raw herbs, granulated herbs, and patent pills. 

To learn more, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation and start your wellness journey today!

07/29/2025

Most mothers focus on maintaining their health during pregnancy, but the postpartum period is equally important. This is the time when your body is healing, hence why it’s so important for mothers to focus on their wellbeing after childbirth to ensure long term health for both mother and infant. 

TCM is invaluable during the postpartum period, helping women regain strength and vitality, particularly during the first month after childbirth, known as the “confinement” period. This time is considered crucial for recovery in TCM. Whether you’re pregnant or preparing for childbirth, TCM can support you throughout the span of your pregnancy from both conception to postpartum. 

At Aetherium, we utilize herbal medicine during the confinement period for mothers looking to regain vitality after labor before moving on to acupuncture treatments. Each treatment is individualized and tailored to address the underlying disharmonies of each patient–treatment plans go according to how the mother is feeling and her readiness to proceed. 

Learn more about how we can support your pregnancy and postpartum recovery at Aetherium by scheduling a consultation with us today! Visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089

07/24/2025

The first Western studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for breech presentation was conducted by Neri et al.**** This study, included in the Cochrane review, examined pregnant Italian women between 33 and 35 weeks gestation carrying a fetus in breech position. Participants were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial comparing active BL 67 stimulation with an observation group. Neri et al. concluded that acupuncture combined with moxibustion was more
effective than observation alone in turning breech babies and appeared to be a viable option for women seeking a natural birth.

At Aetherium, we recommend moxibustion based on both studies and acupuncture texts***** along with any underlying disharmonies that may be preventing the baby from turning into the correct position. We typically recommend daily application of moxibustion for 20 minutes bilaterally until the baby turns, a protocol we have found to be highly effective with a success rate of 97%. In the few instances where the baby did not turn, anatomical factors were often the
reason, making ECV either not an option or unsuccessful.

If you’re interested in acupuncture and moxibustion for breech presentation, schedule a consultation with us at Aetherium today! Visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089.

*Cooperative Research Group of Moxibustion Version of Jangxi Province. Further studies on the clinical effects and mechanism of version by moxibustion. Abstracts of the Second National Symposium on Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Acupuncture Anesthesia; 1984 Aug 7-10; Beijing, China. 1984:150-1.

**Pach D, Brinkhaus B, Willich SN. Moxa sticks: thermal properties and possible implications
for clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2009;17:243-6.

***Coyle ME, Smith C, Peat B. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD003928. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003928.pub4. Accessed 29 January 2025.

For additional references visit aetheriumhealth.com to find Dr. G’s blog: “How Acupuncture & Moxibustion Can Help Turn a Breech Baby.” References are sourced at the end of the article.

07/21/2025

It was an honor to gather in Washington, DC for the 107th Knights and 85th Daughters of Vartan Grand Convocation this past weekend, alongside more than 300 leaders, members, and supporters of the Armenian community.

This year’s event held special meaning for us. Our respective businesses—Aetherium Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine and Sigmund Co—were proud sponsors of this historic convocation.

A highlight of the weekend was celebrating the incredible Annie Simonian Totah, named the 2025 Woman of the Year by the Daughters of Vartan. Annie’s lifetime of service and advocacy has brought over $3 billion in foreign aid to Armenia and Artsakh, thanks to her powerful relationships in Congress and the White House. Her unwavering dedication, vision, and strength continue to inspire generations of Armenian women, including myself.

As a member of the Daughters of Vartan, I feel immense pride in the work our community is doing to preserve, uplift, and invest in the future of Armenia and the diaspora.

To Annie, a friend and inspiration, thank you for blazing a path for the future generation of leaders. To the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, thank you for creating space for service, sisterhood, and legacy.

In health,
Dr. G

07/20/2025

The Aetherium team is proud to announce that we have been voted Best Acupuncture Clinic by the Washington Paper 2025 for the fourth year in a row!

Thank you so much to everyone that supported and voted for us–it’s such an incredible honor to have won back to back four years running, and for that we just want to say thank you!

At Aetherium, we strive to provide our patients with individual treatment plans to support them through whatever life journeys may be thrown their way. Combining traditional Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine in order to cater to whatever needs your body may have. 

As said before, this distinction is something that we don’t take lightly here at Aetherium and we are incredibly appreciative of this nomination. Stop by Aetherium to begin your personalized healing journey today!

07/16/2025

In Chinese medicine, the tongue is more than just a muscle—it’s a powerful diagnostic tool that reflects the state of your internal organs, blood flow, and the presence of pathogenic factors. At Aetherium, patients are familiar with tongue diagnosis as a key part of their treatment. Alongside the intake and pulse diagnosis, the tongue provides objective insights that help practitioners create personalized treatment plans.

The tongue’s appearance is a dynamic gauge of health, offering clues about the progression and sometimes improvement of a patient’s condition. By carefully analyzing the tongue’s color, shape, coating, and moisture, practitioners can identify patterns of disharmony and develop a personalized treatment plan accordingly. This is especially valuable in complex cases, such as chronic conditions or long-term medication use which can affect the appearance of the tongue as well. 

The tongue is a mirror of the body’s internal state, offering a wealth of information about organ function, fluid balance, and overall health. By understanding its nuances, Aetherium members can help pinpoint areas of imbalance and provide targeted support. To learn more, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation and to start your journey.