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Stephanie Simmons, M.Ac, L.Ac, Dipl.Ac, is a graduate of The Traditional Acupuncture Institute, Columbia, MD (now Tai Sophia, located in Laurel, MD). She is licensed in Virginia under the Board of
Medicine and Board Certified from the National Commission of Certification
for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She served on the board
of Acupuncture Society of Virginia for four years, and is a current
member in good standing. |
Her education in the Masters Program at Tai Sophia required a Bachelor's degree, 30 semester hours in bio-sciences and social sciences, and 200 hours working in a western medical clinical setting. Course work for the program included 3,074 class hours of which 90 hours were of Western Medicine-Clinical Science and Pathology, 675 hours of supervised treatments, including community service of detoxification treatments at the men's and women's detention centers in Baltimore during the 17 month clinical internship. After 10 years in practice, Stephanie now specializes in women's health and particularly fertility, allergies and sinusitis, and pain management. Stephanie works with women with fertility problems including regulating the menstrual cycle and assisting with IUI’s and IVF’s. Studies in American and Europe have shown that acupuncture enhances the success rate of IVF’s. Acupuncture provides good blood circulation to the ovaries improving the quality of eggs, improves the lining of the uterus for implantation, and nourishes an embryo to full term. And because the effort of trying to get pregnant can be very stressful, acupuncture can help with relaxation, and when the body is relaxed, all functions of the body work well. It is proven that relaxation aids in the success of pregnancy.
Stephanie can help you understand how the body is affected by the changing of seasons, and how you can be aware of taking care of the body during seasonal changes so you won’t get sick. She is a member of the network Healthways, a wellness program that credentials providers for insurance companies to offer discounts to their members, including BCBS Care First. |
Acupuncture can also help with allergies and sinus problems. Acupuncture works to boost the immune system by strengthening the lungs, the only organ that is exposed to the outside world. Keeping allergies under control can help with any side effects such as headaches, sinus pressure and infections.What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world, dating back 5,000 years. The earliest texts describing the fundamental principles of acupuncture date to 200 BC, approximately the same time as the philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Chinese medicine considers sickness a disharmony within the individual. It recognizes symptoms as the body’s distress signal warning of a problem. If the underlying problem is not addressed, it is more than likely that a more serious illness may occur. In addition to alleviating symptoms, acupuncture determines and treats deeper underlying factors. |
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Acupuncture restores balance by treating the individual as whole: body, mind, spirit. It promotes the body’s innate ability to heal itself by regulating and stabilizing the flow of life’s energy, called Qi (pronounced chee). Qi flows through the body in channels similar to rivers on the earth. When the Qi moves smoothly and unobstructed, there is health. When the Qi is blocked, like a dam on a river, then illness or pain can occur.
Very fine needles are inserted along these channels at areas of maximum energy, the acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture needles are thin, stainless steel, pre-sterilized and disposable, for one time use only. They release the Qi if it is blocked or gather the Qi where there is a deficiency of Qi. When the needle connects with the Qi sometimes there is a sensation of tingling, warmth or a dull ache.
What Can I Expect? The initial 1 & ½ hour visit to the acupuncturist is your opportunity to tell the practitioner your health concerns and why you are seeking treatment. During this visit you will be asked questions about your health history, and given a treatment to specifically address your problems. Subsequent visits are an hour long, and the number of visits will depend on the severity and length of time your health problem has been affecting your life. |
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Testimonials
February 5, 2008 I first became a believer in the healing power of acupuncture four years ago during an acute episode of excruciating pain caused, I have since learned, by a Baker’s cyst behind my left knee. The pain was so intense that a dive off the roof of the nearest high-rise began to seem like a reasonable way out. Instead, Ms. Simmons administered an acupuncture treatment. Forty-five minutes later I stood, walked, and was 95% pain free. She has treated me periodically since then for back and leg pain, always with good results. In addition, Ms. Simmons' personal qualities add a positive and very important dimension to her qualifications as a first rate health care provider. -- Anne Harrison, Alexandria, VA |
Dear Stephanie, During these months together, your acupuncture services have addressed not only my restless leg syndrome, but healing for my broken wrist, allergy and colds, and some of my foot issues as well. The difference has been remarkable and I really feel I have turned the corner in all the se conditions. I am grateful for your holistic healing and also for your good counsel on my physical and emotional health as well. I look forward and truly benefit from our acupuncture
sessions. I would recommend you to anyone who is looking for a qualified
acupuncturist for realistic and lasting results! Thank you! |
You can find Stephanie at 3140 Commonwealth Avenue
in Del Ray, Alexandria. Map
& Directions
Her office hours are by appointment only on Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays
and Saturday mornings.
Please call her at 703-507-7833 or Email
for more information
and to learn how she can help you resolve your health problems with acupuncture.