Community Acupuncture

Offered at Vital Qi on 6 South Robinson St. in Richmond on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

This semi-private, small-group offering is intended to make individualized care via TCM and acupuncture more accessible from both a time and financial standpoint. These “express” treatments are a wonderful option to use on their own or as a supplement between private acupuncture sessions. Read more →

 
 

MORE DETAILS:

sessions will take place at VITAL QI on 6 South Robinson Street

Wear loose-fitting clothes to provide access to the knees and elbows

Treatments provided by Licensed Acupuncturists

you are welcome to wear headphones or earplugs to reduce distraction

For questions about booking or treatments, call or text 804-489-8758

 
 
 

MEET ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Fuqua, L.Ac. is Nationally Board Certified (NCCAOM) and state certified acupuncturist licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. She is a graduate of the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Master of Science Degree in Acupuncture (M.S.Ac.) program. Elizabeth has over a decade of experience helping to guide bodies into balance through yoga and fitness instruction. She is excited to introduce acupuncture into her scope of service offerings.

Elizabeth is interested in exploring the intersections between traditional healing modalities and our modern understanding of anatomy and physiology. She focuses on the mind-body connection for those seeking to resolve chronic and acute pain, stress, sleep problems, and digestive disorders, among others.

In addition to acupuncture and adjunct modalities including cupping, guasha, shiatsu and moxibustion, Elizabeth’s sessions offer movement-based therapies, nutrition counseling and lifestyle advice to empower her clients on their health journey beyond the treatment room.

 
 

Community ACUPUNCTURE EVENTS

We are pleased to provide more ways to experience acupuncture in richmond!

in partnership with local businesses around the Richmond area, VITAL QI ACUPUNCTURISTS will offer group Auricular (ear) acupuncture sessions throughout the month.

Cost: $20 - $45

Do you want an individualized acupuncture session with a very personalized experience? Vitality float spa, unfortunately, does not have the space to accommodate this service yet. We recommend you see Elizabeth at her studio at the link below:

All are welcome.
This is a safe and inclusive space that welcomes all members of our community (and visitors)! Your level of care will never be based on any private or public identifying factors that by definition categorize us as different and separate from one another- race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, education, income level, marital status, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. We’re more concerned with celebrating how we’re all alike. We simply ask that you be kind and respectful.

FAQ

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The patient must be assessed first, noting the physical characteristics (such as the tongue, face and eyes quality); and, overt presenting symptoms like aches and their locations, chills, fever, and sleep patterns. Next, the needles are inserted into the skin; possibly the practitioner will apply heated herbal substances on the end of the needles. They may use special herbs, mild pressure, micro-currents of electricity, or may simply leave the needles inserted. The needles remain inserted for 15-40 minutes, allowing the energy within the body to circulate and rebalance.

Acupuncture facilitates opening elimination pathways. Applying mildly heated moxa (moxibustion) has shown benefit as it expands the pores on the skin to facilitate toxin release with natural perspiration. As a compliment, applying a mild electrical current through the meridians also helps to clear the neural messaging routes.

A standard meridian system known as the Twelve Primary Pathways is what most practitioners of acupuncture follow. The pathways represent conduits to the major organs, the Bladder, Gall Bladder, Heart, Kidney, Large Intestine, Pericardium, Lungs, Small Intestine, San Jiao (or abdominal cavity), Stomach, Liver, and the Spleen. Each point is further classified as a Yin (female) or Yang (male) meridian, and is manipulated with the needles in an effort to affect change of its respective organ.

Before Receiving Acupuncture, please be aware:

  • If you are pregnant or currently trying to get pregnant or undergoing IUI/IVF acupuncture is absolutely safe and effective and lovely! Please be sure to let me know before we begin treatment so that I may choose points accordingly.

  • Wearing clothing that will allow you to roll your sleeves up to your ankles and your pants up to your knees will allow for the most thorough session. Most points that will be used are located on the head, ears, neck, and below elbows/knees.

  • Having a little bit of food in your stomach is the best case scenario to avoid nausea or light-headedness that can potentially happen when receiving acupuncture after having just eaten too much or not having eaten enough that day.

  • Please limit coffee/high caffeine food or drinks and completely avoid alcohol/ any intoxicating substances in the immediate hours prior to and after your treatment. Drinking plenty of water on treatment days (and always!) is also beneficial to the healing process.

  • Please avoid intensely strenuous exercise or activities on treatment days. Light exercise such as yoga, stretching, and/or walking are lovely and supportive alternatives.

What to Expect IN GROUP ACUPUNCTURE:

  • Upon arrival, you will be given your paperwork (short intake + consent form) and make your payment. Once you’re done filling everything out, you’ll be taken up to the treatment room as soon as a chair opens up. This is a stress-free zone for you, and Elizabeth - your acupuncturist! We invite you to utilize any wait time you might have to read, journal, crossword, knit…you get the idea. Please do not be in a rush at group acupuncture.

  • Next Elizabeth will insert the acupuncture points- anywhere from 5-12 points spanning from the top of your head to the tip of your toes!

  • Each point is precisely located and gently massaged before a small tube guides the needle in to the point. It's very common to not feel anything as the needle is inserted, but then to feel "something" in the area shortly afterwards. Warmth and movement around the needle are the most frequent observations as are similar sensations in areas of the body where there are no needles at all. Some points may zing a bit on initial insertion - this dissipates quickly. You'll be walked through the process every step of the way and your feedback is honored and encouraged.

  • Once all of the points are in place and you're comfortable and warm, you'll be left to rest for 20-30 minutes. You'll most likely doze off, but your body will be doing a lot of work taking the direction of the needles- opening areas that are stuck and constricted and strengthening areas that are tired and weak. It's the ultimate "power nap." Elizabeth will be in the room the entire time, so if you decide you’re ready sooner you can just raise your hand and she will come over and remove your points.