On episode 86, we delve into the fascinating world of acupuncture with Alexa Bradley Hulsey. Alexa’s journey into acupuncture began in fourth grade when she saw a magazine cover featuring this ancient Chinese medicine. This sparked a lifelong curiosity and a desire to serve people in a unique way.
After an early career in social work, Alexa realized she wanted to work outside of established frameworks. She found her calling when she visited an acupuncture school and felt an immediate sense of belonging. Today, Alexa works independently, adopting a community treatment model that allows her to see 6 to 8 patients per hour at a more affordable rate.
Alexa takes us through the basics of acupuncture, explaining the concepts of blood, chi, yin, and yang. These elements are all about balance and harmony, and how they interact within our bodies can affect our health.
Acupuncture has a wide range of uses. It’s commonly used to treat pain, including back and joint pain, arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, dermatological conditions, stress, anxiety, depression, hormonal conditions, digestive disorders, skin conditions, and allergies.
Alexa emphasizes that acupuncture is a form of therapy, often requiring several sessions for maximum benefit. Treatments are highly individualized, taking into account the duration and severity of the condition, as well as any other health issues the patient may have.
One unique application of acupuncture is facial rejuvenation or cosmetic acupuncture. This involves inserting needles into the face to stimulate circulation, resulting in a brightening effect. It’s a natural alternative to fillers, botox, or plastic surgery.
Alexa also discusses how acupuncture can help with the changes that come with midlife, such as joint pain, digestion issues, hormonal changes, and reactions to food and drink. The goal is to treat both the symptom (the “branch”) and the cause (the “root”).
For first-time patients, Alexa uses a variety of diagnostic tools, including questionnaires, physical examination, and observation of skin and tongue texture and color. She assures that while acupuncture needles may cause some sensation, they are generally not painful.
Post-treatment, patients often feel relaxed and sometimes even a bit “high.” Treatments last 30 to 60 minutes, during which patients are encouraged to rest, sleep, meditate, or listen to music.
When choosing an acupuncturist, Alexa advises looking for state licensure and certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
In her closing thought, Alexa reminds us that the changes we experience in midlife can be an invitation to form a deeper, more loving relationship with our bodies. Acupuncture, she believes, can be a powerful tool in this journey of self-love and healing.
Listen and learn about the virtues of acupuncture in your midlife health journey.
