Herbals
Herbal treatments can be determined separately or in conjunction with acupuncture treatments.
Herbal remedies come in various forms such as raw herbs for decoction, capsules, tinctures, and external applications as well. Chinese herbals have been studied and recorded for centuries and it is a great way to connect with and be supported by nature.
Acupuncture
During each visit for acupuncture, you will be invited to enter a cozy healing space, where you can relax during your visit.
Acupuncture involves locating specific points on the body and stimulating those points to cause a healing response.
Acupuncture can help keep your body healthy and working well. If you are experiencing some dis-ease within your body, acupuncture can help to activate your body in ways that help it to heal. The number of visits for acupuncture is generally determined by the severity and duration of the condition along with your body's response.
Other Oriental Medicine
Many of the other oriental medicine modalities are physical and may be more hands-on. Cupping, gua sha, and tuina are some of the additional techniques that may be used to Enhance the effects of acupuncture.
Services
About
This time the pursuit was Chinese medicine where I graduated with a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. During the first two years of this education I observed and assisted my professors with their treatments. The following two years I was treating in various settings including a hospital rotation, a private clinic, and the clinic and herbal pharmacy within my school. The next step was to become a nationally recognized Diplomate of Oriental Medicine. After the completion of multiple national board exams, the final step was to become licensed by the MN Board of Medical Practice.
This career perfectly blends the beauty and connection of the natural world with a focus on helping people. The main tenant of Chinese medicine is holism. Just as all parts of nature are connected, so are all parts of the body, and as the body is connected to itself, so too is it connected with nature.
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I am excited to share this holistic, professional healing art with you!
Hi! My name is Jolene McLaughlin. I spent my early years in Mankato, MN and am happy to be home and back with friends and family.
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My journey to working with you has been a winding road of experiences that I hope will enrich your healing path. After completing high school in Mankato I went on to pursue an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. There I earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management and Urban Forestry. I went on to apply this education and learn more about how the natural world works. These experiences took me all around the U.S. while being based mostly in northern MN. After more than a decade in natural resources, I found myself in Duluth, MN working with a not for profit organization who's mission was to help people by ending homelessness and making home a better place for all. The next step of my journey was a to return school.
What can acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization recognizes and recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions such as migraines, various types of pain, morning sickness, sleep disorders, depression, digestive issues, menstrual issues and much more! Schedule your consultation now to find out the best acupuncture treatment plan for you!
How often do I need to get acupuncture?
Acupuncture works best as a treatment when used consistently and timely. Imagine that the discomfort you are experiencing is a train moving the wrong way down the tracks. To correct this, the trains first needs to slow down and then stop. Next the train needs to start moving in the right direction. If the dis-ease in your body has been going on a long time, the train may take longer to slow and stop and will have further to travel in the right direction. Thus you may need weekly or twice weekly treatments for a few weeks. Once the train gets going in the right direction you will need to come less and less often.
If the condition is new, and the train has only traveled the wrong way for a short time, it may only take a few treatments to see progress and get the train moving in the right direction. Generally, the sooner a condition is caught and treated, the faster it is to get it moving in the right direction.
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Prevention is a key to health and acupuncture works great for that! If you can prevent the train from going in the wrong direction, you may save yourself time, energy, and pain. Once your initial discomfort has eased, it is a great to come in once every month to six weeks to support your overall health.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture uses very fine needles inserted at specific points. Sometimes you may feel a poke that goes away quickly, and often you will not feel anything. Acupuncture activates something called 'De-qi' (sounds like dur chee). This activation will sometimes feel heavy, moving, or strong. It is good when this happens. Your practitioner will work with you to make sure that you are comfortable. It is important to let them know when something doesn't feel right and needs to be adjusted.
How long does a treatment take?
Your first treatment will take longer. Plan for about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours. This time will include a discussion intended to learn about your concerns and whole body health along with an initial treatment. Follow ups tend to be around an hour.
What is involved in a treatment?
Each acupuncture treatment, whether your first or your tenth, will include some amount of discussion. It will also include a treatment with acupuncture often with a TDP heat lamp.
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Depending your your condition we may also want to utilize additional modalities such as: herbal remedies - treating from the inside out and a way to continue your treatment while at home, cupping - a method of pulling stagnation out of tissues and to the surface of your body using a suction, moxibustion - a warming treatment, gua sha - another way of activating tissue to release and bring dis-ease to the surface for healing.
How should I prepare for acupuncture?
1) Have a light meal about 1 hour before a treatment or have a snack shortly before you come in.
2) Drink some water before and after your treatment. Do not drink alcohol before a treatment.
3) Try to avoid caffeine directly before a treatment.
4) Please do not scrape or brush your tongue before your treatment.
5) Wear loose comfortable clothing, shorts are great! Depending on your condition we may need to use points on your arms, legs, belly, back, head, and or ears. Often the points that are used are not located anywhere near where you are experiencing the discomfort!
Please note that 24hours prior to your first treatment you will need to complete intake information. Intakes are sent to you via email and can be completed online.
Do you accept insurance?
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At this time we do not accept insurance. If you would like to submit a superbill receipt to your insurance company or HSA/FSA, please let us know at the start of your treatment so that we can prepare that for you. We do not guarantee any reimbursement. You must work directly with your insurance company as we do not provide that service.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please call, email, or fill out the contact form below and we will find a time that works. I look forward to working with you!
FAQs
Contact
Ripple Acupuncture and Wellness LLC
304 Belle Ave Suite 3
Mankato, MN 56001
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Tel: 507-351-8532
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Walk ins are not available at this time.
