About

Why Common Way?

Common Way Acupuncture (CWA) acknowledges that despite our individual uniqueness, human beings are united by common experiences and physiology. The name also refers to the way we relate to one another, as the acupuncture channels exist in all of us–they live in you and me, creating a resonance for connection and healing. And while they are common to all of us, there is actually nothing common about them. These pathways make our bodies extraordinary in their capacity to heal and in our ability to thrive.

Common Way Acupuncture takes the view that health challenges actually contain the map to find the way back to our natural state of health and well being. To do so requires we investigate what your body and mind are up to and examine what factors are creating your experience. The work we do together is a process of excavation in which we find out what needs to change to set you back on your path to health. 

What is different about acupuncture at Common Way?

At CWA, I practice classical acupuncture, sometimes known as Advanced Acupuncture. This approach encompasses the complement channels that allow access to specific functions in our bodies that are compromised or out of balance. Together, they create a complete system for healing that’s remarkable in scope. This approach is far older than what is now called “Traditional Chinese Medicine” or TCM that most practitioners learn and use. TCM can be helpful but is often limited in its the use of the 12 primary channels. These channels are certainly important, as they maintain day-to-day organ function. However, using complement channels gives us even more options—56 more—to successfully address your health concerns, especially those that are chronic in nature.

The complement channels allow me to fine-tune your treatment, as each group plays a special role. In classical acupuncture, we can choose from the following:

• 12 Sinew channels enable us to move and treat both acute and chronic pain; they are fundamental to healthy immunity and also treat skin conditions. We think of them as the most superficial of all of the channels and they also function as conduits to allow the body to expel pathogens.
• 16 Luo channels (pronounced “low” or “lu-oh”) govern our psychological capacity to handle stress and process difficult emotions; they also promote healthy blood and blood circulation. These are deeper than sinews, a kind of middle arena.
• 12 Divergent channels allow the body to recover from chronic degenerative diseases, including debilitating autoimmune conditions and cancers. They help us store pathogens deeply so that they no longer interfere with daily living and they can also aid in our ability to eject pathogens, by sending them up and out through the sinews.
• 8 Extraordinary Channels rectify problems occurring in childhood, from birth trauma or abuse to physical disability and allergies; they can also be helpful for us to understand and change ancestral patterns and even help us recover purpose in our lives. These are the deepest, most foundational channels, and correcting imbalances here can cause a salutary effect in all of the others.

My mentor, Ann Cecil-Sterman, has written a detailed, clear description of these channels and what they are capable of treating. Visit her website if you would like to learn more.

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