Vail Valley Holistic Family Healthcare

whole-body health for the Whole Family.

Dr. Krystal Kinnunen’s practice in Vail Valley is person-centered, evidence-based, and team-oriented. Integrative Acupuncture is East Asian Medicine that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha, tui na, supplements, and dietary, and lifestyle recommendations. In addition, we like to work with your biomedical team such as Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Primary Care Physicians, OBGYNs, Midwives, etc. to create a holistic approach to reaching your health goals. 

What We Can Treat

Preventative Health Care

East Asian Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine are known for keeping the body balanced and healthy to prevent diseases. It focuses on keeping the meridians and the organs of the body functioning optimally through regular self-care treatments. Studies produced by the National Institute of Health have stated that regular acupuncture has been shown to increase the number of T cells in the body. T cells kill harmful viruses and bacteria. Acupuncture stimulates the brain to activate its natural immune response in the body, keeping the immune system stronger and more vigilant. This cellular response from acupuncture lasts for several days after a patient receives acupuncture treatment. Therefore, receiving weekly acupuncture treatments will prevent your body from becoming sick. Allergies, colds, flu, and seasonal sicknesses can be effectively treated with acupuncture. When used as preventative medicine, acupuncture increases your overall well-being and leaves your immune system feeling boosted and strong.

Acupuncture For Digestive Issues

We offer holistic ways to reduce inflammation and regulate your digestive system. It is a belief in Traditional Chinese Medicine that a healthy digestive system is the basis for overall good health. Digestive issues have become increasingly widespread, with common issues and symptoms including: bloating, constipation, IBS, and chronic abdominal pain. Referring back to the TCM belief of digestion being the basis for overall health, if you suffer from digestive issues you may be experiencing other symptoms throughout other aspects of your health. Acupuncture and TCM work efficiently to regulate, soothe, and restore the digestive system for optimal health.

Acupuncture is beneficial for:

• IBS

• GERD

• Indigestion

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain and inflammation

Mood & Emotional Wellbeing

Acupuncture is an evidence-based treatment for common mental health issues. This is a great addition to other therapies you may be pursuing.

Acupuncture can address the following:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress

• ADD and ADHD

• Addiction

Sleep Disorders and Fatigue

One of the most common issues people are faced with is dealing with stress. The busyness of daily life and feeling stressed about making time for work, family, and your own self-care can be overwhelming to the body and mind. Increased stress can also lead to decreased sleep. Stress and lack of sleep can both be detrimental to a person’s health and overall wellbeing. Acupuncture can help! Acupuncture works efficiently to soothe and calm the nervous system, promoting states of calmness and deep relaxation. Acupuncture additionally works to treat the root cause of insomnia and sleep difficulties.

Weight Loss

Acupuncture works to increase weight loss results by balancing hormone production, increasing metabolism, optimizing digestion, lowering inflammation, subduing the appetite, lessening water retention, and creating ideal conditions for bodily functions that are related to obesity and weight loss. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine recently reported that studies have shown acupuncture when combined with other, more commonly used methods of weight loss, has resulted in patients losing more weight. In the study, one to three acupuncture weight loss sessions were deemed to be effective in helping people with achieving weight loss goals.

Circulation Issues

Acupuncture works to improve qi/chi (energy flow) in the body. This action releases stagnant energy, working to dilate constricted blood vessels that are inhibiting blood flow. Once qi is flowing openly, there is enhanced nutrient distribution and increased waste removal from the body. Improving circulation and releasing stagnation is essential for optimal health and wellness. The thin needles used for acupuncture stimulate nitric oxide that is naturally found in the body. This molecule is regarded as highly important for our health, working as a key regulator of localized circulation - which means the more nitric oxide, the greater circulation will be.

Acupuncture For Neurological Disorders

Studies have shown that acupuncture works with the nervous system to regenerate cells and promote healing naturally, it has been shown that acupuncture can benefit the following:

• Headaches/Migraines

• Seizures

• Strokes

• Alzheimer’s Disease

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Learning disabilities

• Neuromuscular disorders

• Autism

• Down’s Syndrome

• Neuropathy

The World Health Organization recognizes that acupuncture effectively treats the following issues.

The report also contains three other very important lists of conditions:

• Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which the therapeutic effect of Acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed.

• Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which there are only individual controlled trials reporting some therapeutic effects, but for which Acupuncture is worth trying because treatment by conventional and other therapies is difficult.

• Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which Acupuncture may be tried provided the practitioner has special modern medical knowledge and adequate monitoring equipment.

SOURCE: Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, World Health Organization, 2003