a surgeon. Encountering acupuncture as a treatment for her condition sparked a profound shift in her career trajectory, and she transitioned to become a board-certified, licensed acupuncturist, and integrative medicine practitioner.
“When I first began studying acupuncture, I thought that I had to put aside my conventional training or pick one over the other when I was caring for patients,” explains Smith. “Later, I came to understand that holistic forms of medicine like acupuncture do not have to be delivered at the expense of conventional medicine or vice versa. There is a place for each, and they are mutually compatible, not mutually exclusive.”
Smith admits that acupuncture is good for treating pain, however it was conceived as whole-body medicine and intended to treat many of the common medical problems that people have. For example, it can help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and help her to conceive (and help with male infertility as well). It can calm anxiety, lessen depression, and make concentration and focus easier. It can promote sleep, calm vivid dreams, and aid with a ruminating mind that won’t let you fall asleep or wakes you up in the middle of the night. Acupuncture can regulate the digestive system—including problems such as constipation, loud gurgling sounds, loose stools, too much or too little appetite, heartburn, indigestion, etc.--and support the immune system resulting in fewer colds and flus, allergies, and other auto-immune problems. Acupuncture and related modalities such as moxibustion can even turn a baby when it is breech. Some studies demonstrate that the baby is more likely to stay head down after acupuncture-related techniques than with painful maneuvers. These assertions are all backed up by western medical science.