Acupuncture & TCM for

Internal Medicine

A Brief Introductory Guide

Understanding the Challenges of Internal Medicine and the Benefits of Acupuncture

Internal medicine is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing a broad range of adult diseases and health conditions. It encompasses everything from chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease to complex autoimmune disorders and gastrointestinal conditions. Internists, or doctors specializing in internal medicine, often deal with patients who have multiple, overlapping health issues that require comprehensive care and a multifaceted approach. While conventional internal medicine treatments are essential for managing these conditions, they often involve medications that can have side effects or complications that impact quality of life. Acupuncture, a complementary therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a holistic approach to supporting internal health by promoting balance, reducing symptoms, and enhancing overall well-being.

The Wellspring Integrative Approach

Women’s Health during all stages of conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is our specialty here at Wellspring Health.

It takes a village to raise a child, but before that, it takes a team to make a baby. You can’t do it alone and we at Wellspring Health are privileged to be a member of your team. Wellspring Health uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine) and Conventional medicine in an integrative approach. This combination can enhance treatment outcomes, manage the side effects of conventional treatments (like chemotherapy), and provide additional support for chronic or complex conditions. We love science and we love working with conventional medical Doctors. This approach combines the strengths of both systems, offering a broader range of treatment options and emphasizing the prevention of disease as well as the treatment of existing conditions.

Reproductive Endocrinologists & Gynecologist Support During Fertility & Pregnancy: We enjoy collaborating with physicians and have extensive experience working with a large network of specialists in Manhattan. We can provide recommendations and referrals for every stage of the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey.

Doula Support: We frequently work with doulas throughout all stages of pregnancy and delivery, providing integrated care and support to enhance the birthing experience.

Below is a comprehensive introductory guide to how Wellspring & TCM can support you throughout every stage of your journey. Feel free to jump to any specific section that best suits your needs.

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Challenges Associated with Internal Medicine

  1. Managing Chronic Diseases: Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease require long-term management and continuous monitoring. These conditions often coexist, complicating treatment plans and increasing the risk of complications. Managing chronic diseases typically involves lifestyle changes, medications, and regular check-ups. However, patients may struggle with adherence to these treatments, leading to suboptimal health outcomes.

  2. Medication Side Effects and Polypharmacy: Patients with chronic conditions often need multiple medications to manage their symptoms and prevent disease progression. However, the use of several medications, known as polypharmacy, can increase the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions. Side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive impairment can negatively impact quality of life and lead to non-compliance with treatment regimens.

  3. Complex and Overlapping Symptoms: Internal medicine often deals with complex cases where patients present with multiple overlapping symptoms that may not have a clear diagnosis. For instance, a patient with an autoimmune disorder may experience fatigue, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues, all of which could be indicative of several different conditions. This complexity can make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause and establish an effective treatment plan.

  4. Emotional and Psychological Impact of Chronic Illness: Living with chronic illness can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on patients. Depression, anxiety, and stress are common among individuals with long-term health conditions, which can, in turn, worsen their physical health. For example, stress can raise blood pressure in hypertensive patients or exacerbate pain in those with arthritis. The emotional toll of chronic illness often requires additional support beyond conventional medical treatment.

  5. Systemic and Holistic Health Considerations: Internal medicine often focuses on specific organ systems or disease processes, but this approach can sometimes overlook the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. For instance, treating high blood pressure with medication may not address underlying issues like stress, poor sleep, or nutritional deficiencies that contribute to the condition. A more holistic approach can complement traditional internal medicine by addressing these systemic factors.

  6. Preventive Care and Health Maintenance: Preventive care is a critical component of internal medicine, but motivating patients to make lifestyle changes—such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, and managing stress—can be challenging. Many patients find it difficult to maintain these changes long-term, resulting in a reliance on medications to manage symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of health issues.

From Our Fertility Clients

"I worked with Kirsten over the course of a couple of years and found her to be incredibly talented, knowledgeable and kind.  Her office space has the same feeling of warmth and serenity that Kirsten herself embodies.  She has a lot of experience working with women through various stages of their fertility journeys, and I think my time with her contributed to a successful IVF cycle and pregnancy."

-Emily H.

"Thanks to Kirsten's care, my fertility treatment was stress-free and went successful. The office is very conveniently located right off Union Square, but the setting is very tranquil and clean. Scheduling was easy and the office was quick to respond to my calls. Overall, highly recommend!"

-Tomo O.

“My Wife and I came here for fertility-related treatments. It was a 5 star experience! The clinic was spotless and the Kirsten is knowledgeable. We were delighted with the results and we would definitely recommend this clinic to others.”

-Travis W.

“I have been a patient of Kirsten's for four years and have nothing but wonderful things to say, and attribute to her and her practice. Not only has Kirsten helped combat the occasional headache or cold, but she has also helped me bring two healthy beautiful children into this world via fertility treatments, and labor preparation. Kirsten is attentive, calming, kind, and knowledgeable. She has also given many tips for my children when they've had colds, car sickness, etc. that we swear by! I have recommended Kirsten to countless friends + family members. This is the place to go for acupuncture treatments.”

- Raffkin B.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Internal Medicine Support

Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow (Qi) and promote healing. It can be used as a complementary therapy to support conventional internal medicine treatments by addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of health. Here are some of the key benefits of acupuncture for patients dealing with internal medicine conditions:

  1. Manages Chronic Pain and Inflammation: Acupuncture is highly effective in managing chronic pain and reducing inflammation, making it beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines. It stimulates the release of endorphins and promotes blood circulation, reducing pain and discomfort. For patients dealing with chronic musculoskeletal or neurological pain, acupuncture can offer significant relief without the side effects of pain medications.

  2. Supports Immune Function and Reduces Autoimmune Symptoms: Acupuncture can modulate immune function, making it a valuable therapy for patients with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. By reducing inflammation and balancing the immune response, acupuncture helps alleviate symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and digestive issues. Regular sessions can reduce the frequency of flare-ups and improve overall quality of life.

  3. Improves Digestion and Gastrointestinal Health: Acupuncture is known to support digestive health by regulating the flow of Qi and reducing symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and constipation. It helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes healthy digestion, reduces bloating, and alleviates abdominal discomfort.

  4. Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Acupuncture can support cardiovascular health by promoting better circulation, reducing blood pressure, and lowering stress levels. This makes it a valuable complementary therapy for patients with hypertension or heart disease. By balancing the body’s energy and promoting relaxation, acupuncture can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.

  5. Reduces Stress and Supports Emotional Well-Being: Acupuncture has a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It activates the body’s natural relaxation response, lowers cortisol levels, and promotes emotional stability. This is particularly beneficial for patients dealing with the emotional burden of chronic illness, as it can improve mood and enhance overall well-being.

  6. Supports Overall Health and Balance: Acupuncture treats the body as a whole, addressing both symptoms and underlying imbalances. By promoting the flow of Qi, supporting the body’s natural healing processes, and enhancing energy levels, acupuncture helps patients achieve better health and vitality. It complements conventional treatments, providing a holistic approach to managing internal medicine conditions.

Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum We Treat With TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic and individualized approach to supporting women’s health through all stages of fertility, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. By addressing imbalances in the body and promoting harmony between the physical and emotional aspects of health, TCM can enhance reproductive health, support a healthy pregnancy, and aid in postpartum healing. With its long history and integrative methods, TCM continues to be a valuable option for women seeking a natural and comprehensive approach to wellness and maternal care.

  • Female Infertility: Improving ovarian function and egg quality, balancing hormones, supporting Uterine Health, blood flow, nervous system, emotional support, and stress management.

  • Stress Management, Nervous System Supports & Pregnancy: Regulate stress response, stimulate endorphins, balance cortisol, sleep, muscle tension, pain relief, emotional support, a place to relax, let go and get some care.

  • IVF/IUI: Support pre- and post-embryo transfer, reducing IVF-related stress and anxiety, and managing hormonal fluctuations during IUI/IVF.

  • Egg Freezing: Optimizing ovarian reserve, preparing the body for egg retrieval, managing side effects of hormonal stimulation, and post-egg retrieval recovery.

  • Pain & Pregnancy: Relieving back pain, pelvic pain, sciatic and joint pain.

  • Labor Prep, Delivery & Induction: Promote cervical ripening and softening, supporting natural and assisted labor induction, pain relief, and breech babies.

  • Prenatal & Trimester Support: Nausea and fatigue, fetal development support, breech presentation and positioning, insomnia and stress.

  • Post Partaum: Emotional supports balancing hormones, stress response, lactation support, activating parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation.

  • Lactation: Enhancing milk supply and flow, addressing blocked milk ducts and mastitis, balancing hormones, reducing stress, and improving milk quality.

  • Recurrent Miscarriage: Strengthening uterine health, immunological factors, managing stress and anxiety.

  • Male Infertility: Improving sperm quality and motility, varicocele, hormone, and libido imbalance.

Parting Thoughts:

Internal medicine addresses a wide range of complex health challenges that require comprehensive care. While conventional treatments are essential, acupuncture offers a natural, holistic approach that can support overall health, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life. By addressing both physical and emotional aspects of health, acupuncture provides a valuable complementary therapy for managing chronic conditions and promoting long-term wellness. Through its multifaceted benefits, acupuncture helps patients achieve balance, resilience, and improved health outcomes.

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