fire elementwaterwood elementmetal elementearth element

Your Practitioner, Laurie de Graaf
Laurie is a board certified and licensed Acupuncturist who earned her degree in 2001 from the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in London, England. Laurie is a native of Holland New York and has been practicing in the health care field since graduating from Ball State University in 1990. Laurie holds a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and minors in Gerontology, Activity for the Older Adult and Coaching. She attended Ball State University on a scholarship as a Division 1 field hockey player and continues to have a passion for sports.

Before becoming an Acupuncturist, Laurie spent a number of years focusing her career on the physical rehabilitation of work and sports injuries which included: HealthSouth Industrial Rehabilitation in St Louis Missouri, Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center in Aiken, SC and Atlantic Physical Therapy in Myrtle Beach, SC. Laurie also worked for the Queensland Government in Brisbane, Australia as an Ergonomist and Health and Safety Inspector. Her most recent position before owning her own private practice was as a Director for Outpatient Services at Hitchcock Healthcare in Aiken, SC. Laurie now balances her acupuncture practice with raising three young children who are actively involved in sports.

If you have any further questions about acupuncture, please feel free to call the clinic. She will be happy to make a free consultation visit with you to talk about your situation and see how acupuncture may benefit you.

What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine sterilised needles, disposable and never re-used, into the skin at various acupuncture points. The needles are left in place for only a few minutes or up to 40 minutes.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like? Acupuncture needles are gently placed at specific points on the body. These may not be felt at all, or may be felt as a mild initial sensation upon entering followed by a tingling, numbness, ache or travelling warmth. Acupressure on these same points is most often used with children.

What Can I Expect With Acupuncture? Most people are surprised at the depth of relaxation, intensity of energy which occurs, and sense of well-being and healing which occurs from the rebalancing of energy. Often relief from symptoms is felt immediately, although relief may occur in the following days (or weeks) depending on the severity and chronicity of symptoms. You will find you will look forward to treatment for the many benefits that are received from acupuncture.