In addition to our one-on-one bodywork and acupuncture sessions, Barefoot Movement also offers communal acupuncture treatments each Monday morning. Students can expect multiple treatments to be taking place at the same time by our in-house acupuncturist, Jon Fellman.
What is acupuncture?
In Chinese medicine, health is believed to exist when there is a free flow of Qi (pronounced ‘Chee’ and often translated as ‘energy’) in the body. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into the surface of the skin at specific points to harmonize and redistribute the flow of Qi to facilitate healing and well-being. Based on controlled research studies, the modern scientific community has developed a number of theories of how acupuncture works, including stimulating specific nerve or hormonal signals that cause beneficial changes in the body’s systems (circulatory, neuroendocrine, muscular, and lymphatic).
Is acupuncture painful?
The needles used in acupuncture are very thin resulting in little to no sensation when inserted. Once inserted, it is common to experience pressure, tingling, light throbbing, or radiating from the insertion point. More often than not, a feeling of deep relaxation is experienced.
What should I expect during a session?
All acupuncture treatments are done fully clothed, lying on a padded mat on the floor. Depending on your needs, you may be set up for a front lying session only, a back lying session only, or a combination of the two. Acupuncture treatments usually last 40 min to one hour.
Tips for a successful session:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing (think: pajamas or long sleeved/long legged exercise clothes).
The practitioner will ask you about your family health history, and, for women, whether there’s a possibility that you might be pregnant. Your answers will inform the work.
If you would like to tip your practitioner, please bring cash or check for Jon.
Acupuncture can be used to treat:
- Chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain (back, neck, shoulder, knee, etc…)
- Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Stress
Colds/Flu
Allergies/Asthma
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Headaches
Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders
Addiction
Price: $65/treatment
Joel began studying Barefoot Bodywork with Leah Gillman in Fall 2011 as a way of squeezing as much value as possible out of his 30 Days of Unlimited Classes. A longtime bodywork consumer, he was immediately intrigued by the demystification of that magical art, and eager to learn how he himself could use his feet to help others feel better. He has been working ever since to hone his skills and now leads the bodywork program at Barefoot Movement.
Jon began his career in wellness nearly 30 years ago as a trainer at a health club after rehabilitating himself following a very serious car accident at the age of 16. Eventually this lead him to Chinese martial arts, herbal medicine and acupuncture-first as a patient, and then to undertake his own study. He has been treating patients with bodywork since 1993, and completed his four-year Master of Science degree in traditional Chinese medicine in 2001 at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Science in Oakland, CA.
