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Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

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Originating over 5,000 years ago, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a healing system that is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism. TCM encompasses many different practices, including acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na (Chinese therapeutic massage), dietary therapy, and tai chi and qi gong (practices that combine specific movements or postures, coordinated breathing, and mental focus) for active stress and emotional management and physical activity to restore and maintain health and longevity.
 
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a modality involving insertion of very thin needles through the skin. Traditional understanding of its mechanism involves the concept of body’s life force energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). An imbalance or disruption of Qi may occur in response to one's diet, lifestyle, environment, injuries or excessive emotions. This imbalance then results in physical and/or emotional pathologies.

A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner completes an assessment based on a patient's history, tongue and pulse. This diagnosis then guides the Insertion of needles in acupuncture points, which are positioned along a network of pathways (called meridians). Acupuncture regulates and restores the normal flow of Qi, restoring health in the process. Meridians have been shown in recent research to be more than energetic pathways, but rather real, anatomical structures potentially involved in tissue restoration and repair. Acupuncture has been shown to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, hormone-regulating and immuno-stimulating effects.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is used in conjunction with acupuncture, whenever appropriate, to support the healing process. Herbs are prescribed usually as formulas, rather than individual herbs and are tailored to a specific, individual Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic pattern to meet the medical needs of each patient. Patients are closely supervised and herbs are frequently adjusted as the individual improves to support the dynamic process of healing and recovery. 
Common Reasons to Seek Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine:  
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Arthritis 
  • Asthma  
  • Cancer/Chemotherapy  Side-effects
  • Common cold/sore throat 
  • Digestive disorders
  • Dizziness/vertigo
  • Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia  
  • Headaches
  • Hypotension/hypertension
  • Infertility 
  • Menstrual disorders
  • Menopausal syndromes
  • Nausea
  • Neuropathy
  • Pain management 
  • Pregnancy-related concerns 
  • Urinary incontinence  
  • Sexual dysfunction/impotence  
  • Stress
Acupuncture Services are considered Cash-Pay.
Patients will be asked to pay at the time of service.
Discounts are available for older adults and Northwestern Medicine employees.

​Acupuncture
• Initial appointment and intake process: 
​  $130
• Follow-up visit: $90
• Laser: $25 in addition to           
   other appointment costs
• Electro-stimulation: $10 in addition to   
  other appointment costs

Our Providers

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Fang Lin, LAc
Fang Lin, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist who received a doctor degree from the Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1983.  She subsequently worked at the Dalian Women's Hospital in China as a doctor for seven years, using Chinese herbs and acupuncture to treat all kinds of women's health issues.  Before coming to the Osher Center, Fang worked for 22 years in Chicago practicing acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.  She is experienced in using Chinese herbs and acupuncture to treat various types of pain, digestive diseases and conditions, anxiety, insomnia and women's health issues such as PMS, menopausal symptoms and infertility.  She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and kindness with all her patients. She has been a part of the Osher Center team, seeing patients in both the Streeterville location and the cancer infusion unit since 2013.
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Kelly Lyons, LAc
Kelly Lyons, LAc has been in practice since 2009. She graduated from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in 2008, is Board-Certified through the NCCAOM, and licensed by the State of Illinois. She was drawn to East Asian Medicine and Acupuncture because of its longevity as a practice and its gentle efficacy in treating the whole person.  She believes that health outcomes improve exponentially through teamwork.
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Tatyana Shafiro, LAc*
Tatyana Shafiro, LAc is a National Board Certified and Licensed Acupuncturist. She received her Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York.  Tatyana joined Osher Center of Integrative Medicine at Northwestern Medicine in 2014 after working at a multidisciplinary clinic and private practice for over ten years. As a member of the Osher Center team, Tatyana works at Northwestern Medicine Infusion clinics providing acupuncture treatments primarily to cancer patients. She helps patients to cope with symptoms and improve the quality of their life.  Tatyana also has an interest in effects of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine on cardiovascular disorders, chronic disorders and women’s health.
​*Sees patients in select Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center locations
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine I Northwestern Medicine