At Mystic Mag, we explore the fascinating world of integrative medicine—where ancient healing traditions merge with modern health practices. As the demand for holistic approaches grows, experts in acupuncture, chiropractic care, and energy healing continue to push the boundaries of wellness. In this feature, we bring insights from five leading experts who integrate traditional healing methods with contemporary healthcare.
From acupuncture’s role in pain relief and stress management to chiropractic’s impact on nerve function and energy healing’s ability to balance mind, body, and spirit, these professionals share their expertise on how alternative medicine complements mainstream treatments. Whether you’re curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for fertility, the science behind chiropractic adjustments, or how energy healing clears blockages, this article provides invaluable perspectives.
Read on to discover the insights of five experts who are shaping the future of integrative medicine!
Acupuncturist & Chiropractor, Dr. Michele Renee: “Acupuncture Activates Healing Mechanisms”
Dr. Michele Renee, Acupuncturist & Chiropractor, shares insights on how acupuncture integrates with modern medicine to enhance patient care:
“The strength of integrative healthcare is the application of multiple complementary paradigms to solve challenges within the healthcare system, improve patient outcomes, and enhance wellbeing. One such paradigm is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, the most popularized of its five pillars in the US.
By stimulating specific points on the body with fine sterile needles, acupuncture activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This practice is increasingly recognized by healthcare professionals as a valuable adjunct to conventional or mainstream treatments. Offered in solo practice, wellness centers (including Stockheart Whole Health!), and some hospitals, acupuncture is a whole-body system that addresses countless symptoms and patterns in relaxing 30-minute treatments.
One of the primary ways acupuncture enhances modern medicine is by addressing chronic pain. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy in conditions such as arthritis, migraines, and back pain, often reducing the need for pain-relieving medications, including opioids. This not only alleviates patient discomfort but also supports efforts to combat the ongoing opioid crisis.
In addition to pain management, acupuncture has shown promise in treating mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In TCM, there is no separation of mind and body. By promoting relaxation and regulating stress hormones, it complements psychological therapies and medication. Furthermore, acupuncture is widely used to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy, improving the overall quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Modern medicine and acupuncture converge in integrative care models, where patients benefit from a holistic approach. Acupuncture’s focus on restoring balance aligns with the growing emphasis on personalized medicine, treating the patient as a whole rather than addressing isolated symptoms.
As more people discover its immense benefits and research continues to validate its benefits, acupuncture is becoming an integral part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, bridging ancient wisdom and scientific innovation to enhance patient outcomes.”
Acupuncturist Mike Berkley: “Acupuncture Helps Reduce Stress”
Mike Berkley, an acupuncturist, explains the role of traditional Chinese medicine in treating infertility.
“Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to treating infertility, complementing conventional methods by addressing both physical and emotional well-being. While Western medicine focuses on targeting specific pathologies through medication or surgery, TCM seeks to restore balance within the individual by considering the interplay of emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are cornerstones of TCM. Acupuncture helps reduce stress, a known disruptor of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which regulates reproductive hormones. Stress can lead to irregular ovulation, elevated prolactin levels, or even conditions like amenorrhea. By releasing endorphins and improving blood flow to the uterus, acupuncture fosters an optimal environment for conception, particularly in conjunction with treatments like IVF.
Herbal medicine, on the other hand, provides tailored support for individuals. Customized formulas address specific issues, such as regulating menstrual cycles, lowering elevated FSH levels, or improving sperm quality. However, these treatments require a precise diagnosis by a qualified practitioner, as self-prescription can be ineffective or harmful.
Research supports TCM’s efficacy. Studies, like the 2002 Fertility and Sterility review, reveal that acupuncture improves IVF success rates, with one study showing pregnancy rates of 43% in women receiving acupuncture versus 26% in the control group. The effectiveness of TCM lies in its ability to treat the underlying causes of infertility, such as stress or hormonal imbalances, rather than just managing symptoms.
By integrating TCM into infertility treatment protocols, patients receive a comprehensive approach that enhances their chances of success. Whether through stress management, improved uterine health, or enhanced sperm quality, TCM works to address the root causes of infertility, offering hope to many couples struggling to conceive.”
Acupuncturist Itay Neta: “Our Inner System Is Like a Compost Bin”
Itay Neta, an acupuncturist, answers how acupuncture can help alleviate stress and anxiety:
“Our inner system is like a compost bin. Everything we experience – through our thoughts and senses, the people we interact with, and the world around us – gets put in to be broken down and processed. Most things are small and pass quickly, leaving no trace: the meal we had for lunch 2 days ago, the color of the car that just drove by. But some things take longer. Losses, disappointments, frustrations, traumas. Some of these stick with us our whole lives, filling our compost bin and, eventually, making it function less efficiently.
Once the bin is near capacity, our ability to process new, everyday challenges diminishes. While insignificant things may still pass through easily, even minor inconveniences may cause the compost bin to overflow. And once that happens, we lose our ability to be calm and centered in the face of the next annoyance or stressor. While this can manifest in the stereotypical “person running around with their hair on fire” trope, more often, the stress gets shunted to a different part of the body in the hopes that it will be processed there. This can be tight shoulders, headaches, insomnia, emotional dysregulation, heart trouble, a sensitive stomach, menstrual issues or any number of other complaints.
This is how we can visualize stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help speed up the breakdown of what’s in our compost bin, thereby freeing us up to handle the next challenge from a place of presence and clearheadedness. At the same time, it can help repair any imbalances that have resulted from this overflow, like the symptoms listed above (or, really, almost anything that goes wrong in the body).
Beyond these benefits, acupuncture can provide a calming and nurturing experience, offering a safe space to unwind. Regular sessions can help individuals feel more grounded and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.”
Doctor of Chiropractic David Yoder: “Chiropractic Is the Study of the Human Nerve System”
David Yoder, a Doctor of Chiropractic, reveals the key benefits of incorporating chiropractic treatments into a holistic health plan:
“A holistic health plan requires that the patient will be supported in all aspects of health and healing, specifically in the physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental and social areas. Chiropractic is a complete, non-invasive, and holistic profession well suited to complement a holistic health plan. One must realize that every thought one thinks, every feeling one feels and every movement one makes is solely due to nerve signals traveling throughout the human body. If the human nerve signal is the basic unit of human communication on a cellular level, then this is also paramount to supporting all other areas of creating a healthy human. Chiropractic by definition, is the study of the human nerve system as well as the detection of and treatment of nerve signals in the central and peripheral nerve systems.
Nikola Tesla once said, “If you want to understand the secrets to the universe, then try to think in terms of frequency, vibration and energy.”
D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, said, “Chiropractic is a tonal art”. The human body can survive without nutrition for about 60 days, without water for only 3 days, and without oxygen for 5 minutes. Yet without any nerve signals from the brain to the body, death would ensue in seconds!
From a hierarchical top-down model, nerve functions are extremely important for living, healing,and supporting all human functions.
In summary, chiropractic supports and therefore benefits the most essential part of human function at the level of nerve communication. Moving upwards to supporting a holistic model of physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental and social healing requires that the client is “plugged in and expressing the best nerve system as possible by working with a chiropractor as part of the holistic model of health and healing!”
Energy Healer Dr. Andrea Shakarian: “Energy Work Bridges the Gap Between Mind, Body, and Spirit”
Dr. Andrea Shakarian, a highly experienced body worker, hypnotherapist, and neuro-emotional energy healer specializing in ancestral pattern reprogramming, explains the role of energy work in holistic and integrative medicine:
“Energy work is a foundational element of holistic and integrative medicine, addressing the subtle energetic imbalances that contribute to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Rooted in ancient healing traditions, energy work recognizes that the body is more than just a collection of organs and systems—it is also a dynamic field of energy that influences health on multiple levels. By working with this energy, practitioners aim to restore balance, release blockages, and support the body’s natural ability to heal.
In holistic and integrative medicine, energy work is often used alongside conventional treatments to enhance overall wellness. Modalities such as chakra balancing, quantum energy healing, and reiki help to reduce stress, improve circulation, and promote emotional healing. Scientific studies have shown that energy-based therapies can positively affect heart rate variability, immune function, and pain perception, making them valuable complementary tools in modern healthcare.
In my practice, I incorporate energy healing by utilizing muscle response testing to scan the body’s chakras and pinpoint areas of blockage. I then determine whether the disruption originates from ancestral patterns, past traumas, mind-generated thought-forms, or other spiritual influences obstructing the flow of divine energy. Through a combination of hands-on bodywork, verbal affirmations, and breathwork, I help individuals release these energetic blockages, addressing the root causes of their physical and emotional challenges. This holistic approach, which can be done virtually or in person, empowers clients to break free from long-standing patterns, fostering resilience and a deeper alignment with their true selves.
Energy work bridges the gap between mind, body, and spirit, making it an essential component of truly integrative medicine. By addressing the energetic aspect of health, we can support profound transformation and lasting wellness.”
Conclusion:
The growing acceptance of integrative medicine reflects a shift toward treating the whole person, not just symptoms. By blending traditional techniques with modern science, practitioners of acupuncture, chiropractic care, and energy healing are enhancing patient outcomes and expanding the possibilities of healthcare. Their collective insights underscore a universal truth—well-being is multidimensional, requiring a balance of physical, emotional, and energetic health.
As research continues to validate these holistic practices, their role in mainstream healthcare is only set to grow. Whether seeking pain relief, emotional balance, or overall vitality, integrative medicine offers a path to healing that honors both ancient wisdom and scientific innovation.
CREDITS:
Dr. Michele Renee | Stockheart Whole Health | www.stockheart.com
Mike Berkley | Berkley Center | www.berkleycenter.com
Itay Neta | Davis Community Acupuncture Clinic | www.davisacupuncture.com
David Yoder | David Yoder Wellness Center | www.davidyoderwellness.com
Andrea Shakarian | Andrea Shakarian | www.yourchoiceislight.com
