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Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine

for those who need balance, healing, regulation and more

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  the ability to conceive.

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.

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Traditional Acupuncture

Initial Session 60 minutes $129
Follow-Up Session 60 minutes $99
Tune-Up Session 30 minutes $59

* May be covered by insurance. For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages. 

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 Therapy at Thrive Proactive Health

Auricular Acupuncture

Initial Session 60 minutes $129
Follow-Up Session 60 minutes $99
* May be covered by insurance. For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages. 

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 at Thrive Proactive Health

Chinese Medicine (Herbology) Evaluation & Treatment Plan

30 minutes $49
For cash-based clients, cost is reduced with membership plans or packages. 

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

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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.

Vivian was amazing and helped me soooo much! She was very intuitive and professional.
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 an experienced acupuncturist bringing her great healing wisdom and expertise to our Thrive team! She earned a Master’s of Acupuncture and a Master ‘s of Chinese Herbalism degree from Southwest Acupuncture College, Boulder campus.

Vivian is certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine issued by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is certified in Clean Needle Technique and is licensed to perform acupuncture in the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Board of Medicine. Other degrees include a Master’s of Medical Qigong and a Doctorate in biomedical research.

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 “root” of a health condition, rather than treating only the “branches” 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. She specializes in pain management, often incorporating a variety of bodywork techniques. Other areas of interest include gynecological issues (menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, etc), treatment of allergies and incorporation of auricular (ear) acupuncture. 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 enjoys spending time in nature on beautiful days and walks in the woods with her little dog.
  • Her favorite foods are Indian and Thai.

 

 

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 as “Qi,” our energy flow is essential to good health and is responsible for our overall wellbeing, self-regulation and healing potential.

When our Qi’s balance is deficient or obstructed, our body becomes vulnerable, diseased, imbalanced and susceptible to illness or injury. It’s the harmonious flow of Qi that allows us to feel positive feelings of heath and vitality — physically, mentally and emotionally.

Is acupuncture safe?

The US National Institute of Health has documented and publicized acupuncture’s safety and efficiency for treating a wide variety of health conditions.

How does acupuncture work?

When a particular acupoint is stimulated, it influences the organ(s) associated with that point by encouraging the body’s own healing abilities to restore balance. In this manner, many different internal conditions can be addressed effectively. For the treatment of pain issues, the insertion of acupuncture needles can help to restore the free flow of “Qi + Blood” that is obstructed at the site of pain or the associated meridian.

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 “electric” 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?

“Dry needling” 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 “meridians” 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 “root” 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.

Thrive Proactive Health Virginia Beach

Questions? We're happy to help!

MARKET SQUARE

2830 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Directions

HOURS
Monday • 9am - 7pm
Tuesday • 9am - 7pm
Wednesday • 9am - 7pm
Thursday • 9am - 7pm
Friday • 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday • 9am - 2pm alternating
Sunday • CLOSED

CONTACT INFO
(757) 364-0067
Fax: 757-416-7777

KEMPS RIVER

1320 Kempsville Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Directions

HOURS
Monday • 11:30am - 7pm
Tuesday •  CLOSED
Wednesday • 10am - 6:30pm
Thursday • 9am - 5pm
Friday • 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday • CLOSED
Sunday • CLOSED

CONTACT INFO
(757) 364-0067
Fax: 757-416-7777