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Jessica Sylvanson, L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M.  

Jessica Sylvanson earned her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine in August 2006. This four year program consists of 3,000 hours of education including 1,200 hours of clinical practice. During this time she was supervised in various clinics by licensed practitioners with a minimum of 10 years of clinical experience. Along with treating many ailments in the busy school clinic, she also worked in specialty clinics with low income and marginalized patients. After graduating with her Master's degree in 2006, she passed four examinations administered by the NCCAOM required for licensure. She also completed a certificate in Clean Needle Technique. For more details on Jessica’s education and experience see her school’s website at www.sieam.edu

Jessica’s training includes acupuncture and adjunctive modalities such as moxibustion, tui na (an Oriental form of massage), acupressure, cupping (also known as myofascial decompression), gua sha or scraping (also known as Graston), and dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Jessica has owned and maintained a business in Gunnison since 2006. Before the Here and Now Center she was located downtown as the Wellspring Clinic. 

Jessica and her husband Dusty added to their family a son, Kai Archer, in 2014.  Their family life has been greatly supported by mindfulness practices and the community they have found in the Mindful Life Program and Way of Compassion Dharma Center.  They also host a weekly Zoom from the Way of Compassion in Carbondale Colorado.  This includes a guided meditation and Dharma talk/book study.  For more information click here.

Personal statement from Jessica:

My journey to becoming an acupuncturist began as a child when I experienced many health problems that were not helped or even made worse by the western medicine model of care. My father and grandfather were both M.D.’s and my aunt was a pharmacist here in town. I have great respect for western medicine and what it can do to help people in acute situations. I also have the unique perspective of someone who it couldn’t help very much and in my experience this includes many people with chronic conditions as well as people who are mostly healthy but just need preventive care.

Western biomedicine seems to be in need of a balanced perspective - one that includes preventive medicine, nutrition, exercise, body work and psychological/spiritual wellness. All these parts are an intimately connected whole.  There are many people aware of this need now, and working on it from all different angles. I want to be a part of the wellness team of medicine. I like working with others and refer to other practitioner when I feel it’s appropriate.

I have children patients and senior patients and everyone in between. I have had many people who are nervous about acupuncture completely overcome that fear with me. Many who were skeptical or nervous now find it to be one of their favorite things to do! Acupuncture feels great - it is relaxing, releases endorphins and serotonin, releases and opens muscles and fascia and heals damaged soft tissue. It is really amazing what it can do and continues to amaze me all the time. If you are looking for a one time treatment to be a miracle cure for a condition you’ve had for years that is usually not the case. But I never say never with acupuncture because it has continued to surprise me. I see healthcare as an ongoing process that really must involve YOU.  I teach meditation and yoga to help empower my patients to take charge of their own health.

Acupuncture is a great modality to add to your healthcare regimen and can have many positive effects. If you stick with it on a regular basis it can even completely heal chronic and hard to cure conditions. I have seen it time and time again. My treatments are tailored to the individual. I spend a lot of time with each person and usually combine massage and sometimes add in other Asian healing arts therapies like cupping or moxabustion. I am also a trained herbalist. I make my own herbal salves and liniments for use topically and prescribe internal herbs when necessary in in the form of teas, teapills, honey pills, and tinctures.  

What I enjoy most about my work is seeing people get better and feel better - especially seeing the transformation from fear and suffering to peace, ease, self-empowerment, and trust. I also enjoy the gentle time I have with each person practicing deep listening, intuitive action and interaction and application of all the skills and knowledge I have accumulated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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