We Love to Heal
Acupuncture, Cupping, Gua Sha, and Herbs set our body up for high potential healing! Branches of Wellness Acupuncture in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero is here to support you as you build and nourish a healthy life!
Our Services
The following Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine services are offered at Branches of Wellness Acupuncture to restore balance and whole body wellness.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture sets the stage for our bodies innate ability to heal and repair itself. The Chinese have long recognized (about 5,000 years ago) the existence of bio-electric fields in the body, called meridians. The life force of our body (Qi, pronounced “chee”) flows through these meridians similar to the way blood flows through our veins and arteries. Meridians must remain open for the proper free flow of life force (Qi) as this energy is our pivotal factor in the maintenance of balance in our bodies. Blockages in this electrical circuitry can negatively impact the brain, the lymphatic system, circulatory system and other control mechanisms for all of our vital organs, resulting in disease and pain. How does Acupuncture work? What are the benefits? Click here to get more information about acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a medical technique in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at precise points along 12 meridians (pathways) in the body to open the pathways of Qi, therefore unblocking pain and disease. The Qi is our life energy and acupuncture is our tool to achieve whole body and mind wellness.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a healing technique of traditional east Asian medicine. Sometimes called ‘spooning or scraping,’ Gua Sha is defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create therapeutic petechiae called ‘Sha’ in the subcutaneous tissue. In laymen’s terms, it can look like a hicky afterwards for a few days! Gua Sha breaks up stuck myo-fascial tissue from injuries. We use a porcelain rice spoon or a jade instrument (smooth surface) and a therapeutic herbal liniment for Gua Sha.
Modern research shows Gua Sha produces an anti-inflammatory and immune protective effect that persists for days following a single Gua Sha treatment. This accounts for its effect on pain, stiffness, fever, chill, and cough.
Cupping
The ancient art of cupping has been utilized by healers and lay people in many cultures. Cupping is a suction technique designed to pull toxic build-up and muscle spasm from the body’s deeper tissue to the surface of the skin.
The cells of the body use oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. When the energy is blocked, the cell waste or carbon dioxide gets blocked. This is called lactic acid or toxic build-up. Once the toxic waste from deeper tissue comes to the superficial layers via the cupping technique, the body is able to eliminate waste through the capillary system. Cupping brings oxygenated fresh blood to the area of pain and stagnation, which revitalizes better blood flow.
Follow the link below to read an article by Jenny Dull-Frost, L.Ac. titled “The Ancient Art of Cupping.”
https://branchesofwellnessacupuncture.com/ancient-art-cupping/
Fertility
Some couples say they are ready to have a baby and boom! They are pregnant! Other couples come to me and tell me they have been trying for 2 years, 3 years, 10 years to no avail. This is a stressful emotional life experience to go through. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is here to help you find balance in your hormones and bodies, to strengthen your fertility, and calm emotional stress https://branchesofwellnessacupuncture.com/traditional-chinese-medicine-fertility/. Whether you are embarking upon IVF, IUI, or trying naturally, TCM is here to support you with acupuncture, herbs, supplements, and energetic nutrition (foods appropriate for your body) to greatly increase your health for fertility https://branchesofwellnessacupuncture.com/fertility-food-herb-supplement-concepts-traditional-chinese-medicine/. We reference allopathic diagnostic labs, functional medicine tests, listen to your signs and symptoms, and diagnose with TCM to create a treatment protocol that is right for you. We will be your guide through your process.
Here is a great reference for acupuncture for fertility.
A great local resource for supporting families from preconception through the first year of parenting: https://www.centralcoastchildbirthnetwork.com.
Pain Treatment
Acupuncture and the adjunct treatments (Gua Sha, cupping, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture) are great tools to clear pain and inflammation. Pain is blocked energy (Qi), blood, and fluids, a stagnation stemming from an injury or from systemic inflammation. When receiving acupuncture, a signal is sent to the brain to release endorphins to relieve pain and to invigorate Qi and blood through the pain center. This method helps to relieve swelling and stiffness. The needle is the tool to trigger your own bio-electricity/Qi energy to heal yourself. Pain can affect every aspect of ones life if it becomes chronic and acupuncture treats the root cause of pain.
Detox Programs
Detox should be part of our life each year whether one chooses a 21-30 day, to a 3 day juice cleanse, or modified cleansing to work for your daily life to clear inflammation and heal the gut. Depending on the severity of your illness or just feeling tired and sluggish, we will tailor your detox for your needs. Many undesirable symptoms can be alleviated by detoxing and by figuring out the foods that wreak havoc on your body. The undesirable symptoms can be to name a few: headaches/migraines, insomnia, pain and inflammation, difficult menstrual cycles, infertility, difficulty in losing weight, digestion problems, feeling sluggish and puffy, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to do further testing called the Alcat test from Cell Science.
We will be your guide in supporting you through your cleanse.
If you would like to help determine your need for a detoxification program, please go to the toxicity questionnaire.
Herbal Medicine
Herbs are singly wonderful and when an herbalist creates a formula of single herbs, the synergy of them together becomes a great internal medicine healer. Creating an herbal formula for our patients and giving acupuncture are the art form of being a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. We use Chinese herbs mostly and some western and Ayurvedic herb blends. Herbal formulas are meant to help heal internally to the external and are created specifically per person for his/her ailment. Herbs can be used for upper respiratory issues, digestive problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, stress, pain, autoimmune diseases, etc. Herbs from nature are our medicine.
All acupuncturists in California become Chinese herb herbalists. We at Branches of Wellness Acupuncture use Chinese herb formulas and blended herbal formulas with Ayer Vedic, Western, South American herb blends as well. Herbs are very effective internal medicine if used correctly by diagnosing each person’s ailments correctly. We can tailor your herbal formula specific for you! Herbs emphasize your acupuncture treatment and help to increase healing more quickly.
For instance, some women in menopause have terrible hot flashes, insomnia, and/or night sweats. Other women may experience depression with these symptoms, adult acne, and/or PMS-like symptoms. These are two different types of menopausal symptoms which would need different herbs to support and balance her body.
We use Evergreen Herbs https://www.evherbs.com/evshop/
Mediherb: https://mediherb.com/
Kan Herbals https://www.kanherb.com/
Natural Supplements
Jenny recommends high quality supplements with your herbs or to use by themselves as a good internal medicine protocol to help your healing process. We find the best quality companies with high standards in efficacy and ingredients. Jenny carries her favorites in both offices or you can create your own account and order from home on Fullscript. You can open your own Fullscript account which has professional grade herbs and supplements:
You can buy from any of the companies mentioned below with a Fullscript account.
Standard Process https://www.
Orthomolecular https://www.
Apex Energetics https://www.
MicrobiomeLabs https://
Green Pastures https://www.
Ancient Minerals https://www.ancient-
Metagenics https://www.
You are welcome to order your supplements via Jenny’s Metagenics link (Enter coupon: WELCOME2024 and save up to 30% off your first online order!) : https://jdull.metagenics.com
Patients of Branches of Wellness Acupuncture can use the MicrobiomeLabs link: https://microbiomelabs.com/
You can buy from all of the listed companies with one Fullscript account.
Microneedling
What is microneedling?
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive technique that uses thin needles, typically 12 micro tips, to create microchannels in the skin. The “wounds” created help stimulate the skin’s own healing process by producing more collagen and elastin to the areas treated. Cellular turnover is also enhanced and the end result is firm, smoother skin, more even skin tone, and the reduction of scars, pore size, wrinkles and stretch marks. In addition to the shifts in appearance, the open channels allow for facial products to infuse into the skin up to 2000%.
What are the benefits of microneedling?
Microneedling has gained popularity for its growing list of benefits. It is said to rejuvenate and plump the skin with minimal discomfort and very little downtime, and it can be adjusted to fit each person’s needs.
reducing the appearance of scars, including acne scars
reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
reducing enlarged pores
reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, or dark spots
smoothing uneven skin tone
improving skin elasticity
reducing the appearance of stretch marks
reducing the appearance of scars
promoting hair growth in people with alopecia
Jenny uses TOMA skin therapy and other herbal serums during your microneedling treatment. You will receive a TOMA tester kit from Jenny on your first microneedling visit to try! If you love the product, new customers receive a $20 discount with their first purchase when entering their email.
Facial Rejuvenation
Facial rejuvenation entails facial acupuncture plus body points to bring blood and Qi flow to the face to nourish and lift the muscle energy in the face and neck. We discuss lifestyle changes such as sleep habits, diet, exercise, digestion to enhance the acupuncture treatments. Herbs and a facial are usually recommended to support the whole body treatment. Fine lines soften, skin discolorations can dissipate, a healthy glow is apparent, and better health internally are positive results with this treatment of acupuncture 2x/week for 5 weeks. This is not a face lift; I like to call this program a “health lift” with emphasis on the beauty of the face!
Sports Injuries
Most athletes we have worked with heal incredibly quickly if they receive acupuncture immediately after injury in the acute stage. If the injury becomes chronic, the person suffers more emotionally and physically, as he/she is unable to play his/her sport. Chronic injury can still heal but takes longer with more perseverance. We can use cupping, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, gua sha, and acupressure to work on the injury to invigorate blood flow to the injury site, clear inflammation and swelling. Acupuncture naturally calms the mind and relieves the stress (anger and sadness of being injured) that can be involved with the injury.
Women's Health
Acupuncture, herbs, and certain supplements work wonders for women’s health!
balance hormones
regulate menstrual cycles
smooth peri-menopause/menopause
relieve PMS
lower estrogen dominance (PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids)
support fertility, etc.
We analyze your symptoms through traditional Chinese medicine and saliva testing using ZRT Laboratory and/or blood hormone testing to find the best protocol for relieving imbalances and symptoms. Your symptoms may be: bad PMS, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, heavy bleeding, bad cramps, clotting, irregular cycles, anxiety, depression, easy cry, food cravings, bloating. We can make it better!
Women's and Men's Wellness Programs
What is Wellness? Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being.
What is Health? Health and wellness are terms that are often interchanged, but their origins and meanings are different. As established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1940s, health is referred to as, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.” We believe acupuncture brings health and wellness to our body due to its balancing of the mind/body connection. We have some patients who come once every two weeks, once a month, or every change of season at the solstice and equinox. They tell us that they are “feeling off” lately and that it is time for acupuncture. Some say that they feel balanced and the acupuncture keeps them happy and well. An acupuncture wellness treatment is preventative medicine as well as treating the symptoms in the present moment.
Saliva testing
A saliva hormone test is another way to test your hormones and cortisol (adrenal stress hormone). This is a convenient test you do at home from a test kit I give you and then you drop it off at the post office. Testing saliva is like a tissue sample which can be more stable than a blood test.
We use ZRT Laboratory
Feel free to learn more about all functional medicine testing (finding root cause) we can offer. To test thyroid in detail, we will test by blood through your local lab, which usually your insurance will be billed.
Blood testing
We use blood labs to test for inflammatory markers, autoimmune markers, hormones, blood sugar, cholesterol, Vitamin D3, B12, folate, iron panel, etc. to see the big picture for your health. We blend these allopathic blood lab markers with traditional Chinese medicine consulting to find the best well rounded approach for your healing process.
Prolon
Prolon Fast Mimicking
I’ve heard from some of my patients about their struggles with fad diets and their feelings of frustration around staying healthy. You are not alone! Based on published research, the average person diets 4x per year. In most cases, unfortunately, these efforts do not create sustainable long-term results. This is why I’m so excited to share more details about a 5-day meal program that is backed by 20 years and $36 Million in research and development. It’s called ProLon®—the world’s first and only “Fasting Mimicking Diet®.” ProLon was developed to give you the benefits of a prolonged fast. It has been shown to:
- Reduce visceral fat while maintaining lean body mass
- Initiate cellular clean-up (autophagy)
- Help maintain healthy levels of metabolic markers
- And more…all without giving up food!
We want to talk to you about fasting. For many, the prospect of foregoing food for any prolonged period of time seems scary, even dangerous. But over the last 20 years countless studies and new discoveries have validated the incredible health benefits associated with caloric restriction as well as various fasting protocols.
We’ve concluded that fasting done safely and wisely can play a crucial role in promoting overall health. As such, we are happy to incorporate fasting opportunities into our practice. Maximizing benefits with a “prolonged fast” One of the most beneficial forms of fasting is what’s known as a “prolonged fast.” This is 3 or more days of little or no caloric intake. But compliance for a prolonged water-only fast can be difficult, daunting even. Thankfully we recently discovered a new program to help: ProLon.
ProLon is a 5-day low calorie, plant-based meal program that provides the same benefits of a fast, but with food. It is the first “fasting mimicking diet” ever created, and it really works! ProLon is convenient, simple, and delicious. With this plan, the body is “tricked” into fasting mode while eating tasty foods like fresh olives, hearty soups, and nut bars.
In a clinical study, ProLon® is shown over three cycles to help individuals lose an average of 5.7 lbs and 1.6 inches off their waist circumference. Benefits seen in a clinical study of the 5-day ProLon cycle once a month for three months.
Click here to learn more! You will receive 20% discount through Jenny’s link at checkout page:
