Why We Practice Traditional Chinese Medicine—And Why It Matters for Women’s Health
We practice Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Arlington, VA, for a simple reason—because it worked for us.
Long before we became practitioners, we were patients searching for real solutions. We came to the acupuncturists with open minds and specific problems. We got needled—and things got better. Somewhere along the way, someone suggested herbs, and things got even better. That was the beginning. That’s when curiosity turned into belief. And belief turned into knowledge, which in turn became understanding, leading to clinical practice.
Why Choose Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Before I became an acupuncturist in Arlington, VA, I was a massage therapist for a decade. I love bodywork and have seen many conditions heal from the use of massage. However, I also noticed something I couldn’t ignore—the clients I referred to acupuncture got better faster:
Their tissues healed more efficiently
Their pain resolved more completely
Their periods are regulated better
Their pregnancies went smoother
Acupuncture wasn’t just complementary—it was transformational.
That dramatic shift in outcomes is what made me realize I wanted more tools in my toolbox, especially for the kind of women’s health work I was already doing. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine gave me more than just tools—it gave me a way to treat the body in its full complexity.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Has Always Made Space for Women
One of the things I respect most about acupuncture and East Asian herbal medicine is how long it has honored the uniqueness of the female body. We’re talking centuries of thoughtful observation and treatment, going back to at least the Song Dynasty (1100 A.D.)—and actually much earlier.
In Chinese medicine, women aren’t seen as deviations from a male norm. Our bodies are different, and that difference is respected. An example is the simple reality that women lose blood every month. This fundamental truth has been built into how traditional Chinese medicine works, from how we treat women for colds to how we manage stress or balance hormones. Our unique physiology, from menstruation to menopause, is not an afterthought. It is central.
The focus on the uniqueness of women is still, sadly, lacking in conventional medicine today, both in research and in the clinic. But alternative medicine—and TCM in particular—has been studying and treating the female body as its own system for a very long time.
Holistic Women’s Health Through Acupuncture—You’re More Than Just a Uterus
One of the reasons I fell in love with acupuncture is its truly holistic nature. That word gets tossed around a lot, but in this medicine, it actually holds meaning.
Even if you come to me for something like painful periods or fertility support, I’m going to ask about everything—your sleep, digestion, mood, energy, stress. Even your hopes and dreams. In this medicine, all systems matter. Your ovaries are not separate from your gut. Your uterus isn’t separate from your mental health. Everything is connected, and we treat you that way.
To be clear, this kind of holistic women’s health in Arlington, VA, doesn’t mean we ignore your focus or your reason for seeking out treatment, quite the opposite. From experience, we know that you get better faster when we treat the whole you, not just your complaint. Think of it as us working on your concern while caring for the whole ecosystem of your body and mind. Want to learn more about how TCM addresses your whole body? Read our post on holistic women’s health.
Acupuncture for Women’s Health in Arlington, VA
We’re Not Here for “Normal”—We’re Here for Optimal
One of the biggest frustrations we hear from patients is that their lab work came back “normal,” but they still feel off.
In acupuncture for women’s health in Arlington, VA, we don’t wait for dysfunction to reach a crisis point. We pay attention to the little things. The subtle signs. The fact that your period is swinging from 26 to 34 days. That your cramps are getting worse. That you’re exhausted after ovulation every month. That your gut feels off, but no one can find anything wrong.
We look at those details. We care about them. And we treat them.
This is one of the reasons alternative medicine, specifically acupuncture, is so helpful in women’s health. We can catch imbalances early, before they become full-blown diagnoses. We’re not just managing symptoms. We help your body function at its best.
Using The Menstrual Cycle as a Diagnostic Tool
In TCM, your menstrual cycle is a powerful window into your overall health. We examine your flow, timing, color, texture, emotional patterns, and physical symptoms. Why? Because it all tells an important story of your internal health.
Unfortunately, many girls and young women are put on hormonal birth control at the first sign of irregularity or heavy bleeding. That may mask the symptom, but it does not address the underlying cause. In many cases, we can naturally regulate hormone imbalances, providing a more sustainable solution to your concerns.
The menstrual cycle is not something to shut down or ignore. It’s a vital sign. One that can guide treatment, signal imbalance, and offer a clear picture of what your body is asking for.
Why TCM Is Especially Powerful for Women
So why does TCM matter so much for women?
It honors the difference. Chinese medicine has acknowledged, studied, and treated the female body as unique for centuries. That makes a difference in outcomes.
It’s holistic. This is true holistic women’s health. We see your entire body and treat you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms or lab values.
It’s preventative. We treat early. We listen to signs and symptoms that might not show up on a blood test but are real and valid.
It’s empowering. This medicine gives you insight into your own body. You begin to understand what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what to do about it.
“In Chinese medicine, women aren’t seen as deviations from a male norm. Our bodies are different, and that difference is respected. ”
Getting Started with Traditional Chinese Medicine in Arlington, VA
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re looking for something more in your health care. Whether you’re struggling with painful periods, fertility challenges, or that sense that “something’s off,” Traditional Chinese Medicine in Arlington, VA, offers a holistic way forward.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture have been helping women feel better for thousands of years. If you’re ready to explore acupuncture for women’s health in Arlington, VA, we’d love to help you find the better version of yourself.
Got questions? Reach out. Let’s get a conversation going. We also share more about how acupuncture and herbal medicine in Arlington, VA, work together in our article Not Just Needles: How TCM Approaches the Whole You.
Damon Iacovelli and Kate Pope, Licensed and Board-Certified Acupuncturists