Acupuncture with Dr. Shannon Menestrina

Dr. Shannon Menestrina is one of our acupuncturists at Balanced You Clinic. In our interview with Shannon, she shares more about her style of acupuncture and unique aspects she aims to provide in each treatment. What can a person expect in an acupuncture session with you, Shannon?  Sessions with me utilize all of the modalities within Chinese Medicine to help optimize treatment goals for each person. My goal is to understand your whole health picture and create a safe, relaxing space for an individualized treatment experience. The initial intake is an opportunity for us to check in, discuss what the focus is for the session, and answer any questions. Treatments often weave together acupuncture and other adjunctive therapies such as...Read More

Open Room Acupuncture FAQ

Frequently asked questions: How much does an Open Room appointment cost? We provide this service on a $30-60 sliding-scale. What should I wear? Loose clothing is ideal so we can easily access the arms and legs. No abdominal or back points will be used in this style of treatment which allows each person to remain fully clothed in the open-room setting! How long will I get with needles in? You will get to relax for 20-30 minutes with needles in.  What conditions can be addressed with this type of treatment? We can work on a diverse set of health concerns such as insomnia, pain, headaches, stress, anxiety, and depression, addiction recovery, wellness tune-ups, allergies, and more!

Food Therapy in the Fall Season

Fall is governed by the metal element – this season is associated with the lungs and large intestine. Both of these organs take in vital substances and then help with elimination of waste. Moving into the cooler months, we lean into more warming and hydrating foods to optimize digestion. Warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and chai are encouraged in both teas and meal preparation. Soups and stews are hydrating meals that can be prepared in diverse ways – this helps the large intestine regulate fluid content and bowels through the cooler months. Seasonal foods such as butternut squash, pumpkin, and root veggies strongly tonify digestive qi and are often utilized in fall recipes. Lastly, fruits such as pears, persimmons,...Read More

Summer Food Therapy

Moving into Summer, the season governed by the fire element, our primary focus with food therapy is to nourish yin fluids and clear excess heat. By maintaining a healthy balance between the water and fire dynamic of the body, we are helping to support hydration, regulate proper fluid metabolism, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. Common foods that we recommend during the summer season: - Watermelon and cucumbers are a staple! It nourishes fluids and clears heat. - Summer veggies like peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini all have high water contents and thus nourish Yin. - Berries help to tonify the blood. - Eat lots of summer greens like: broccoli, swiss chard, kale, cabbage, spinach, parsley, mustard greens, dandelion...Read More

Integrative Bodywork Sessions at Balanced You Clinic

Rebekah Knause, L. Ac., LMT, RYT is one of the acupuncturists at Balanced You Clinic. We got to talk with her about the benefits of receiving an integrative bodywork session. This treatment has been available with Rebekah for a long time. You may have previously booked a session with her for an "acupuncture massage combo," and that is an integrative bodywork session! Keep reading to learn more about integrative bodywork, and remember, all of our acupuncturists offer integrative bodywork sessions which are customizable to your unique needs. What can a person expect in a bodywork session with you, Rebekah? An integrative bodywork session with me is a combined massage and acupuncture treatment. First I will ask my client, “how is...Read More