Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine
for those who need who need balance, healing, regulation and more
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Thriving Magazine
Our wellness zine is filled with helpful info to help you live a better, healthier life.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be invaluable therapies on your wellness journey.
Acupuncture supports the body/mind system by using its own natural healing processes, and has been shown to successfully treat conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility.
Acupuncture has shown to help with the following conditions:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Chemotherapy Effects (radiation)
- Depression
- Digestive Irregularities
- Food Cravings
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Hormone Imbalance
- Infertility
- Immune Support
- Libido
- Menstrual Irregularities
- Menopausal Symptoms
- Metabolism
- Phantom Pain
- Prostate
- Sinuses
- Skin Conditions
- Sleeping Issues
Acupuncture Therapy
& Chinese Herbal Medicine Services
Available at both of Thrive’s Virginia Beach locations: Market Square & Kemps River.
20% discount offered to military, first responders and healthcare workers for all cash-based services.
~~~ Ask About Our Membership Plans & Packages ~~~
Membership Plans and Packages offer our services at reduced rates and allow for additional discounts.
Traditional Acupuncture
Initial Session 60 minutes $129 $99 (limited-time offer)
Follow-Up Session 60 minutes $89
* May be covered by insurance. For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages.Â
You’ll initially meet with our certified acupuncture therapist for an assessment of your problem areas, lifestyles and health goals. She’ll conduct your first acupuncture therapy session and recommend a treatment plan. Chinese Medicine (herbology) may be included in that recommendation.
New to Thrive? Please use the chat feature or call to schedule your Initial Session: (757) 364-0067
Auricular Acupuncture
Initial Session 60 minutes $129
Follow-Up Session 60 minutes $89
* May be covered by insurance. For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages.Â
Auricular Acupuncture is the stimulation of key points on the external ear surface, which correlate with other areas of the body. The ear holds a microsystem of the body, and fine details of the anatomical, physiology and emotional body can be accessed and influenced to promote health and healing of various organ functions along with eliminating symptoms of insomnia, depression, indigestion, addiction, inflammation, pain, headaches or migraines, and autonomic symptoms.
New to Thrive? Please use the chat feature or call to schedule your Initial Session: (757) 364-0067
Chinese Medicine (Herbology) Evaluation & Treatment Plan
30 minutes $49
* May be covered by insurance. For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages.Â
Herbology is one of the primary modalities within the scope of Chinese Medicine used to re-harmonize imbalances in the body and includes using different formulas and combinations of plants, leaves, stems, seeds, roots, minerals and more.
Vivian will conduct an evaluation and assessment to provide recommendations on which herbs are needed and provide a plan of care. You are able to purchase the recommended herbs directly from Thrive (this is in additional to to your evaluation). Your treatment may be administered as a tea, capsule, liquid extract, granule or powder.
Subsequent refills may be filled without an appointment unless your symptoms have changed or Vivian recommends a re-evaluation.
Please use the chat feature or call to schedule your appointment: (757) 364-0067
Thriver Love Notes
Vivian is so awesome. She listened to me attentively and my visit was a good experience for having acupuncture for the first time.
Jeannette McC.
Ally H.
I’ve been really happy with my visits to Thrive.
Jennie T.
Meet Your Acupuncturist & Chinese Medicine Expert
Vivian Takafuji
PHD + LAC + DIPL OM ⢠Provider
Acupuncturist
Vivian is dedicated to the practice of the holistic healing arts and draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address health concerns and improve well-being. TCM theories are used to identify the ârootâ of a health condition, rather than treating only the âbranchesâ or clinical symptoms. Her goal is to integrate complementary treatment strategies with Western medical supervision to best support the patient as a whole.
Vivian listens with a patient ear and treats with a compassionate heart. Her philosophy is that we all possess an innate healing wisdom and the patient and therapist can work as a team to bring the body-mind into balance.
On a personal note…
- Vivian used to be a DJ and danced Polynesian dance professionally.
- Vivian’s favorite food is Indian or Thai, her favorite color is purple and her favorite sport is gymnastics!
Frequently Asked Questions
About Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine at Thrive
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been around for over 3,000 years as a healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The science of acupuncture works to treat and stimulate the balanced flow of vital energy throughout the body. Known at âQi,â our energy flow is essential to good health and is responsible for our overall wellbeing, self-regulation and healing potential.
When our Qiâs balance is deficient or obstructed, our body becomes vulnerable, diseased, imbalanced and susceptible to illness or injury. Itâs the harmonious flow of Qi that allows us to feel positive feelings of heath and vitality â physically, mentally and emotionally.
Is a acupuncture safe?
The US National Institute of Health has documented and publicized acupunctureâs safety and efficiency for treating a wide variety of health conditions.
How does acupuncture work?
When an acupoint is stimulated, it influences the organs associated with that point. The needle insertion encourages the bodyâs own healing abilities.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture should not be painful experience. There might be a slight pinching sensation as the needles are first inserted at the superficial nerves at the skin. This is akin to a bug bite but should subside immediately or within a few seconds. Your acupuncturist will be checking in for your comfort level at all times.
What can I expect during and after my acupuncture therapy?
Acupuncture is not meant to be painful; however, not all acupoints are created equal. Some points are more sensitive than others and may cause you to feel pain or an âelectricâ sensation.
Acupuncture is not an instantaneous treatment. It will take up to 24 hours before you feel the full results from your session.
In order to ensure the success of your sessions, it is important to perform the specific treatment plan and number of sessions recommended. Once symptoms have been resolved, monthly maintenance sessions may be recommended.
Stay hydrated and drink lots of water after your session. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine for up to 24 hours.
Your acupuncture sessions may be enhanced when incorporating massage, aromatherapy, or any other service related to your concern at hand.
What should I wear to a treatment?
It is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be pulled up beyond the knees and elbows. A loose shirt may be lifted to access Acupoints on the abdomen or lower back. It is possible that a medical gown (provided) may need to be downed in cases where the clothing cannot be moved sufficiently for the treatment.
What are the possible risks of treatment?
As with any therapy, risks exist. The practitioner needs to know if the patient has a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device in case electric stimulation is used in treatment. A patient with a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulant medications may be at greater risk for bleeding after needling or taking certain Chinese herbs. Also, a woman who is pregnant or trying to conceive requires a particular treatment plan to avoid complications. Informed consent and patient information form is required prior to any treatment in the clinic
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
âDry needlingâ is not the same as acupuncture. Similar single-use stainless steel needles are used in both therapies but acupuncture uses points that are selected along energetic âmeridiansâ and incorporates a deeper level of Chinese medical theory. In this means, acupuncture can address organ dysfunction in addition to pain symptoms, often seeking the ârootâ cause of the problem.
How does Chinese herbal medicine work?
Chinese herbal medicine has deep history and evolution over the millennia. Formulations involve a combination of herbs that synergistically work together to address a particular Chinese medical diagnosis. A herbal prescription can run from a week to a few months, depending on the condition being addressed. Your herbalist will be assessing your response throughout the treatment course.
Questions? We're happy to help!