ABOUT

The flow of water in nature mirrors the movement of vital fluids in the human body. Just as we have oceans, rivers, streams, springs, and fertile valleys in nature, our bodies rely on similar systems of irrigation, and cultivation. The acupuncture point names reveal this correlation. From the elbows, and knees down you will find the five Shu points: Jing Well, Ying Spring, Shu Stream, Jing River, and He Sea starting at the fingers and toes and moving inward towards the cavernous conifers contained within.

Acupuncture works by supporting systems of transportation and transformation in the body. You might think of the body’s reserves—like fat, marrow, blood, and hormones—as vast oceans we can draw from when the body needs fuel. Our organs function like fertile valleys, transforming nutrients into energy like a seed coming to sprout. In order to function properly organs must remain balanced- neither too damp nor too dry. Acupuncture can tap into these reserves using deep meridian pathways to regulate the quality of the “soil” of our bodies by draining and nourishing systems that have become unbalanced.

Blood flows like rivers and streams, moving from the heart through the muscles and out to the body’s periphery. When circulation is impaired, pain often arises. Pain can manifest as a dull ache from the strain of completing the same small tasks over and over again, or it can come on strong from an injury. Regardless, the body’s response to pain is to protect the organism by bracing and restricting movement throughout the body. That’s where irrigation comes in- relieving tension in the muscles along pain pathways allows the blood to move again, reducing pain, and allowing the healing cascade to flow into the tissues.

In the same way, our thoughts and emotions can become blocked, giving rise to moods and feelings that keep us from enjoying our short time on this planet. The energy-drain of emotional stagnation, mulling over the past, or anxiously anticipating the future is like a dam starving the lands downstream. Instead of happily digesting a healthy lunch, your emotions might send you into fight or flight, altering the natural flow of rest and digest that should follow a meal. Getting a handle on emotions can have a huge impact on overall health. We need to feel emotional flow to feel at ease, and with proper irrigation the body can thrive.

As an acupuncturist, I use needles, herbs, and bodywork to help restore balance when things feel off. In East Asian medicine, symptoms are understood through eight guiding principles: Yin/Yang, Hot/Cold, Interior/Exterior, and Deficiency/Excess. With a clear diagnosis, treatment can address both the root cause of imbalance and the branch. Specifically tailored to the individual, your treatment will be unique to you.

East Asian medicine can offer support for a wide range of concerns, including pain, migraines, TMJ, fertility and menstrual conditions (such as PCOS, endometriosis, and PMDD), digestive issues, emotional well-being, sleep, and more.

About Marion Dunham

Marion Dunham is a licensed acupuncturist who earned her master’s degree from Emperor’s College with a concentration on Classical Medicine. A lifelong student, she is currently in the graduate mentor program at the White Pine Circle studying Classical Chinese Medicine through the lens of the Huang Di Nei Jing. She also maintains a strong connection with her mentor Angie Chen with whom she studies Reflexology and Chinese medicine principles.

Her connection to Traditional East Asian Medicine began in childhood, when acupuncture helped her recover from chronic bronchitis, and continued in 2006 when she received treatment from Angie Chen, and was introduced to the benefits of foot reflexology—an experience that helped shape her future as a practitioner of East Asian Medicine.

While earning her Master’s Degree, Marion worked as a veterinary technician at a holistic animal hospital where she was able to see the benefit of truly integrated medicine working in tandem, cementing the importance of preserving classical ideas while embracing modern medical advancements. Marion began her practice in 2020 working alongside Chiropractors and Massage Therapists, focusing on chronic pain and sports injury medicine. Since entering private practice she has expanded her practice to include a full herbal pharmacy, and a focus on gynecology and internal medicine. Helping people find answers, and feel heard is her specialty.