Healing with Needles

Healing with Needles

Fountyn Acupuncture, a San Francisco based clinic providing Traditional Chinese treatments

by Neha Suradkar

Getting pricked by a needle is not a pleasant feeling. Now, imagine being pricked by close to a hundred needles. That is not something anyone would want to go through. But what if these needles could cure you of some major illness or condition? Wouldn't you want to try for yourself? I definitely would.

Dr. Rachele Lam cures people using these needles (acupuncture) and other techniques of Chinese medicine—herbal medicine, gua sha, cupping, holistic facial— at her San Francisco-based clinic, Fountyn Acupuncture. Named after Margot Fonteyn, one of Dr. Lam's favorite ballet dancers, the fountain also represents an enclosed flowing water system reminiscent of the human body and the qi (energy) and life that flows within us.

Acupuncture works on both physiological and energetic levels. Thin acupuncture needles are placed along energy pathways in the body to promote the unobstructed, smooth flow of qi. When qi is flowing smoothly, the body is at an optimal functioning level. Acupuncture helps to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, regulate the nervous system, and restore homeostasis.

While the intricacies of acupuncture have not yet been completely broken down into biomedical explanations, modern research and imaging have visually shown some of the physiological changes to the body from acupuncture and its effects on the nervous, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

For example, Doppler ultrasounds (which measure the amount of blood flow through your arteries and veins) show that acupuncture increases blood flow and circulation. Also, MRI readings show how needling certain acupuncture points can affect specific areas of the brain. Thermal imaging before and after treatments also show noticeably reduced levels of inflammation in the body.

Dr. Lam, a Stanford graduate, was brought up in New York and Hong Kong. She started going to a Chinese doctor at the age of eleven for psoriasis and was intrigued by how holistic and lifestylefocused Chinese medicine is. From a young age, the principles of Chinese medicine were instilled in her.

Dr. Lam specializes in fertility and skin-related issues. She was introduced to Chinese medicine because of her own skin issues, and she remains fascinated with the subject. She believes that the female body is so incredible, and it is a blessing to be able to support women and couples trying to grow their families.

Fertility can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but her experience in working with these women has taught her so much about resilience and strength. For Dr. Lam, it has always been a humbling yet rewarding experience treating fertility related issues. Using TCM to return life, hope, and inspiration to patients makes the whole process satisfying for her.

Dr Lam believes in the importance of having “yuan fen” or fate when working with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner because healing is a very personal experience. Being able to relate to patients is important, and it is a significant part of the healing experience.

Read more at https://issuu.com/rareluxuryliving/docs/troora_san_francisco_2021_pages/470