Anyone who has seen Dr. Shwu Yar-Tsai will tell you that she’s not like any other Acupuncturist. She is wildly compassionate and brings an unprecedented level of human connection to her care. What makes her treatments so unique? I sat down with her to discuss her practice as well as the education and experiences that gave rise to her methodology.
How did you decide to become an Acupuncturist?
“My background is in science,” Shwu explains, “I thought that I could save the world by studying genetics. I came to realize this is simply one piece of the puzzle. That, actually, what we see on the outside is a reflection of the Whole Body and genetics is just one part of it.” Almost 15 years ago Shwu left behind the world of genetics and shifted her focus to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where she felt she would be able to better understand and treat the Whole Body.
What can clients expect in a treatment from you?
I prefer to focus on one patient at a time. I personalize each treatment to the individual and I focus on the Whole Body. I take time to find the right diagnosis – observing the patient’s face and their manner of speaking, palpating the spine and various points along the body, asking for feedback about sensations after placing needles and adjusting placement accordingly. She believes it is important to build trust and rapport with her patients. When the body trusts, it can relax and be more receptive to treatment. Beyond needling, Shwu makes use of many different techniques such as: cupping, Twi Nah (a type of Chinese body work similar to massage), hot packs and heating lamps, and a blend of both Chinese and Western anatomy called Ashi Points or Trigger Points.
Is Acupuncture right for me?
“Think of Acupuncture like General Medicine,” Shwu explains. “In Western Medicine, we use medication. In Acupuncture, we use a needle or some other type of stimulation. When we put a needle in the right point, your body responds to it and starts to balance out.” To this end, acupuncture is essentially for everyone. It can be used as treatment in response to injury and it can be used preventatively. Shwu specializes in hormone balancing and pain management. She also shared that because of its stress and pain relieving abilities, acupuncture is great for oncology care and hospice care.
The Importance of Self Care
In closing, Shwu leaves us with this final message. “Health care is not about when you get sick – you don’t want to wait until you are sick. Health care is about empowering yourself and working as a team with your practitioners/providers. If you come here to be treated but don’t take care of yourself when you leave then you will be completely dependent on the care/treatment you receive. If you invest your time and energy into feeling and caring for your body when you’re at home then that will make the treatments even more impactful and lasting.”
Wishing you health and wellness,
