Currently, in order to become a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac) in Idaho, practitioners must graduate from a nationally accredited school or program that is typically 4 years of full time education. It is also required to pass the national board exams and become certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). There are minimum course hours required, however Thomas’ education far exceeded these requirements, following is the training Thomas received at Pacific Rim College in British Columbia, Canada.

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude

• 605 hours — Acupuncture foundations and theory

• 470 hours — Chinese medicine foundations and theory

• 90 hours — Western herbal medicine (not required for the program)

• 525 hours — Clinic practice - observation, supervised practice, and independent practice

• 390 hours — Western medicine - anatomy and physiology, pathology, biomedicine, biology, pharmacology, and western lab diagnosis

• 180 hours — Professional development, patient communications, business, and ethics

• Certification in Clean Needle Technique

And beyond his education in Chinese medicine school, he has also completed the following education in Western herbal medicine

• 180 hours - Clinical herbalist program — School of Evolutionary Herbalism (online)

• 1 year — Plant spirit apprenticeship — Megan Waddy, clinical herbalist

• 1 year — Medicinal herb farm apprenticeship — Raven Crest Botanicals

As well as a BA degree in Environmental Design (Architecture) — University of Colorado

Herbal medicine has always been the people’s medicine, it has been passed down from generation to generation, and most people engage with plant medicines at many different levels. Whether one has deeply studied herbal medicine or if one simply enjoys a nice cup of tea, herbs are infused in our lives however there is a huge difference in knowledge and efficacy. There are many people who are considered folk herbalists, they have a moderate degree of training and can offer some supportive remedies for their friends and family.

A clinical herbalist on the other hand rigorously studies herbal medicine as well as many other aspects of healthcare. We understand the foundations of health that any western trained medical practitioner knows such as anatomy and physiology. We learn of traditional plant uses and plant energetics to know their properties, but also look at the science to gain a rounded understanding of each remedy. We also have basic training in pharmacology, western lab diagnosis, and so much more. A clinical herbalist has dedicated their life to the art of herbal medicine to ensure safe and effective custom remedies are selected for each patient.

Thomas has deeply studied Western herbal medicine for many years and growing, being in relationship with, and sharing plant medicine is his true passion. He spent a year apprenticing on a medicinal herb farm, followed by many years of self exploration, took many courses at Pacific Rim College, engaged in another year long apprenticeship, and most notably completed a program with the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, one of the most comprehensive online training available in Western herbalism. However there is still so much to learn, he will be studying his entire life, and while we do offer herbal medicine our focus is currently acupuncture as the clinic is still establishing.

Acupuncture is commonly used in the treatment of pain, fatigue, digestive issues, sleep challenges, mental and concentration issues, emotional imbalance, infertility, headaches, high blood pressure, menstruation conditions, and is very supportive to all sorts of chronic illnesses. Acupuncture helps regulate health in general and is truly helpful for any and all conditions. Thomas has extensive experience in the treatment of Lyme disease, a challenging and often confusing condition. He also is most passionate when working with people who experience chronic and challenging conditions, it’s about guiding people on their journey, it’s not only about treating the illness.

Acupuncture points are places where information is exchanged through the circulation of qi and blood, they regulate the acupuncture channels which impact internal organ function as the channels directly stem from the organs and the channels irrigate surrounding tissues and connect our body systems together as a unified whole. Acupuncture creates movement and initiates a cascade of physiological changes influencing local tissues as well as the internal organs which impact systemic health. This is how acupuncture may be used to treat any and all conditions, it is far more than just for the treatment of pain.

Many insurance policies now cover some portion of acupuncture visits. Our office does directly bill insurance, we know the process and this is far smoother than you submitting a claim on your own. However Thomas is still in the process of being credentialed with all of our local insurance companies. He has been approved for several already and expects by the end of November or December to be fully in-network with them. We work with Regence, Kaiser Permanente, the VA, and many more.

This all depends on both the nature of the condition and the state of your vital force. Consistent and focused treatments during the initial stages are essential to make the changes necessary to shift the pattern. We always work with your primary concern and often utilize acupuncture and herbal medicine at the beginning of treatment. We find that a brief period of more regular treatments is typically more effective than prolonged treatment plans. We continually check in to ensure there is improvement and that your health goals are being met by working together, we want to see you thrive.

Acute and less complicated conditions can shift relatively quickly, but each person is unique and it’s difficult to know how many treatments will be needed. We recommend committing to 3 treatments one week apart to really give it a solid try and let acupuncture work its magic. You may not notice total improvement after only one session, but you may!

For most chronic and difficult conditions we recommend 5 to 7 treatments on a weekly basis, this tends to create the best results. We then check in to reassess frequency and the best form of treatment, being acupuncture or other modalities. Some people notice immediate improvements while for others acupuncture tends to have a cumulative effect over several visits.

We typically charge your session and the end of the visit. We accept credit card, check, and cash.

When performed by a competent, educated, and registered practitioner, acupuncture is extremely safe. Thorough knowledge of anatomy is essential to safely practice. Through the rigorous 3 year acupuncture education that Thomas trained in he was guided across 500 hours of supervised clinic, and the whole program was around 2200 hours of courses. There are practice standards set by a regulatory college which ensures safe practices, and we are required to use sterile single use needles.

Acupuncture doesn’t typically hurt, there is often a momentary prick felt as the needle is inserted which usually subsides to a dull pressure or tingling around the area during the treatment. This is the sensation of qi, there is activation and movement but it isn’t uncomfortable. Most people are surprised by how relaxed they feel during and after a treatment. However there are many styles of acupuncture, and the way we practice doesn’t typically cause discomfort.

People usually feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment and you may notice in the following days better sleep, digestion, and a general sense of contentment. However some people experience deeper sensations in the days following a session, acupuncture can sometimes bring up things to be processed that have been hidden for a long time, it’s all a part of balancing your energy system. You may feel quite tired after a treatment and we always recommend lots of water and being gentle with yourself afterwards. Sleep allows for healing and fatigue is a sign to rest and recover. We recommend you don’t schedule any strenuous activity prior to or after acupuncture, it’s possible you may be in a deeply relaxed state and going straight back to work for example may not be the best idea.

You may find yourself more emotional than usual, it’s all a part of the journey, emotions are here to guide us, try to listen to what your body is telling you. Though rare, it is possible you may temporarily have intensified symptoms as your body regulates and resolves stuck energy. If there are any concerns post treatment don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.

It’s best to wear loose fitting clothing for ease of movement, and so we have access to your arms and lower legs. Be sure to have eaten before you come as an empty stomach may cause some lightheadedness during the session, but don’t be so full you can’t relax. Please avoid consuming stimulants such as coffee prior to treatment as well as alcohol as they change the way the body responds to the acupuncture. Tell us if it is your first time receiving acupuncture so we can be extra gentle and explain as we go.

Besides filling out the intake form, it is also very helpful if you reflect or gather any information you might want to share, such as typical foods you eat, digestion issues, sleep cycle, or a list of medications and supplements. Clarity in your reasons for coming help to ensure we meet and see you fully.

Qi (chee) is vital force, it refers to the energy that exists in every living thing, it is the fire that brings aliveness to the world, it is all around us, and it also runs through the meridians or energy channels in the body. Qi is the vital force and intelligence of the body that regulates all of our physiology and is always at play in pathology too. If there is pain, discomfort, or disease in the body, Chinese medicine believes that qi isn’t flowing smoothly, it is either obstructed, deficient in force, or flowing in the wrong direction, the body is out of balance.

Life exists by the flow of lifeforce energy coursing through all things, and the purpose of acupuncture is to restore this balance and get the qi flowing unobstructed throughout the body to bring vitality. Qi maintains all processes, and we need healthy qi to receive and process foods and build the life giving blood that nourishes our cells. Blood is the yin substance that balances the yang qi energy, blood creates the physical body that makes a home for our spirit to reside within.

The classic Chinese texts say that qi is the commander of blood, and blood is the mother of qi. It seems simple but this is the essence of true holistic medicine, health and vitality radiate in abundance when there is a harmonious balance of yin and yang.

Acupuncture points are places where information is exchanged through the circulation of qi and blood, they regulate the acupuncture channels which impact internal organ function as the channels directly stem from the organs. They irrigate surrounding tissues and connect the system together as a unified whole. They are unique locations on the surface of the body where significant movement and activity exist, they are literally turning points, places where there is great potential for changing the nature of qi and blood and thus physiology and pathology in both the channels and in the internal organs. The points are always located at small openings within the connective tissue matrix of the body, they are not the skin, flesh, sinews, nor bones, rather they are the open spaces between these places. These spaces are not empty, but places of exchange. The points are active participants in physiology, they are not purely energetic locations, they can be felt and engaged with through acupuncture and acupressure. Acupuncture thus creates movement through the open spaces along the course of the channel to initiate a cascade of physiological change through the organs which ultimately influences systemic health. This is how acupuncture may be used to treat any and all conditions, it is far more than just for treating pain.