Ancient Roots - Acupuncture in Durango CO

Individualized Acupuncture in Durango CO

Experience the ancient healing power of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Durango CO

Molly Gibson in her office where she offers Acupuncturist in Durango CO

Molly Gibson, LAc, MSTCM

With a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Colorado School of TCM, I have dedicated over nine years to providing exceptional acupuncture in Durango, CO. After years at Namaste Health Center, I recently established Ancient Roots Acupuncture and Apothecary in downtown Durango. I also practice in Silverton and in North Durango, where we have our home, to expand the reach of acupuncture to more patients. Between the balance of family, work, and playing outside, life is full, life is good.

Utilizing acupuncture, herbs, and holistic modalities, I empower individuals to restore and maintain their health more effectively. I love the versatility of my role as a general practice acupuncturist. The diversity of which is interesting and gratifying. I can help facilitate your own body's capacity to heal by focusing on you, the whole person, not just a list of symptoms.

Using acupuncture, herbs, cupping and other natural healing modalities, I work with a wide variety of conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine in skilled hands can help patients heal in deep and profound ways. The goal is always to live fully and live vibrantly.

Durango Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Services

Acupuncture

Natural Medicine Therapies

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is performed by the insertion of needles through the skin at certain points on the body. This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modality helps normalize the body’s physiological functions, modify, or prevent pain perception, and aid in better circulation to allow better communication in the body.

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Chinese Medicine

Natural Medicine Therapies

Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine has an even longer history of use than acupuncture. Much of it is plant material as well as other substances from the Materia Medica which has been collected and empirically researched for 5000 years. I dispense them primarily in the form of tinctures, and some in capsules.

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Natural Medicine Therapies

Improve your wellness with additional natural medicine and holistic healing services including Cupping, Gua Sha (Scraping), Tui Na Massage, and Moxibustion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect from a first treatment?

You will enter my sunny office and sit and chat with me about your medical history and current health concerns. I will have you lay down on the treatment table where I will look at your tongue and feel your pulses. Wear loose fitting clothes. Most of the points are generally accessible this way, but I can always drape you with a sheet if necessary. You will lay with needles quietly for 20-40 minutes, depending on what is needed. Time will be set aside at the end for any body work that might be necessary.

And why would you want to look at my tongue and feel my pulses? This is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosing. I'm looking at your tongue for color, coat, cracks or markings. I feel your pulses not only for the speed, but for the quality of what it feels like under my fingertips. It could feel like a guitar string sharply hitting my finger or like a round bead rolling under, it may be deep, it may be only on the surface. All of this gives me information about singularly "you," so that I am every time treating the person in front of me, not a list of symptoms.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Not generally. There will of course occasionally be a slight prick when some needles are inserted, and a short or lingering sensation around the needle site called "Da qi." This feeling may be unfamiliar, but should not cause any significant discomfort, and is an important way for your body to communicate that it perceives the needle. I am very sensitive to how my patients respond to my needling and am happy to adjust or remove if necessary. There is no need for stoicism if any of them may be uncomfortable.

Are there any alternatives for needle free treatments?

Yes. There are many ways to approach healing within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine for those who are unsure about trying a needle treatment. Other techniques can be used based on the same healing principles, chosen depending on what the patient would like to have treated:

Stimulation of acupuncture points with acupressure, a tuning fork or thread moxa.
Chinese Herbal Medicine.
A combination of tui na massage, cupping, and gua sha.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

It is becoming more and more common for acupuncture to be covered by insurance, even "out of network" acupuncture which is currently how I operate. You would pay me out of pocket and then submit a "superbill" (which is a document I will give you with all the neccesary codes) to your insurance company. It may seem like a lot of work, but if it covers your treatment cost, it's always worth asking and doing the leg work!

Paying with a Health Savings Account (HSA) is always an option.

I also offer a package deal as a way to lower costs and as an incentive to continue care where more than one treatment is necessary.

How often should you do acupuncture?

On average, I like to see significant improvement in 6-10 consecutive treatments with the knowledge that it may take more (or less) time to fully resolve. If your condition is acute, as in has come on within days or weeks, then you may expect one or only a few treatments. In the case of extremely chronic conditions like back pain, sleep or digestive complaints that have been going on for years, this can take longer to feel like yourself again. The more consistent you are with treatment, the quicker you will see results.

We are accustomed to quick results in Western medicine. This medicine focuses on the deep healing of the whole person, not just the symptoms. This can take time, so some patience may be required.

How long do acupuncture results last?

I like to think of each treatment as a layer which eventually builds something much stronger. Your first treatment starts as the base and each treatment thereafter continues to build a stronger "you." The first treatment, you may have positive results that last only a day or several days, yet sometimes for weeks. Each treatment generally brings longer periods of benefit until either the health concern is resolved in which the results can last for months or even years. Or for chronic conditions in which reversal of the condition is not possible, then maintenance acupuncture will generally keep symptoms from reappearing. To keep in mind, healing is rarely linear so some ups and downs are to be expected and every person is different.

Does Acupuncture get rid of muscle knots?

It is common that people think dry needling is for muscle knots and trigger points and that acupuncture is for other health concerns. On the contrary, acupuncture is also very effective for trigger point therapy, in fact was the original trigger point therapy. In Chinese medicine, we call these muscle knots "ashi points." An acupuncturist versed in sports medicine and pain management can achieve the same results, with or without electrical stimulation. The acupuncture needles will improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, reduce inflammation, releases endorphins tohelp reduce pain. A noteable difference between dry needling and acupuncture in treating muscle knots is that acupuncture is always treating the individual make up of each patient and uses the Chinese medicine theory and channel theory to guide the treatment in which the whole body is considered.

Call Molly to schedule an appointment

Wondering if acupuncture and natural healing can benefit you? Call for a free consult

(970) 403-5202

mollygibsonacu@gmail.com

Tuesday Thursday & Fridays: Downtown Durango Office 180 E 12th St, Durango CO Wednesday: Silverton Office in the Old Miner's Union Hospital 1315 Snowden St, Silverton CO Evenings by Appointment: Cascade Village Office 50827 Hwy 550

Individualized Acupuncture in Durango CO

Molly Gibson, LAc, MSTCM

How can Acupuncture help?

Durango Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Services

Acupuncture

Natural Medicine Therapies

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine

Natural Medicine Therapies

Chinese Medicine

Natural Medicine Therapies

Natural Medicine Therapies

Natural Medicine Therapies

Frequently Asked Questions

Call Molly to schedule an appointment

(970) 403-5202

Contact me

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