You want to be out there doing what you love — without your body being a distraction.
You want to stop popping Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Tums, etc., to treat your symptoms;
You want to address the root cause.
You want to work with an experienced, compassionate practitioner who will listen to you and help you get results.
You’ve come to the right place.
Acupuncture could change the game.
It works by helping the body heal itself, sending messages to your body to reduce inflammation, restore muscle and joint function, increase range of motion and strength.
It releases powerful endorphins and regulates the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis, helping us shift out of fight-flight-freeze mode and back into rest-and-digest mode. When that happens, hormones can come back into balance. We feel relaxed and at ease. And the body can heal.
I’m Brodie Welch, a Licensed Acupuncturist, national-board certified herbalist, pragmatic health strategist.
I founded Life in Balance Acupuncture in Corvallis, Oregon in 2003.
I love helping people in pain leave without it. Some of my favorite things to treat include back pain, neck pain, chronic stress-related issues, because a handful of visits can make a massive difference.
In Chinese Medicine, health isn’t merely the absence of disease or symptoms: it’s living in accordance with who we truly are. True health is about being present for your life, expressing yourself authentically, and giving your unique gifts to the world.
It’s tough to do that if you’re in pain.
You want to be able to focus on your life, not your pain.
My goal is to help empower you to create vibrant health and live with as little pain and as much vitality, strength, and ease as possible.
With over 23 years of clinical experience, I draw on my deep knowledge of Chinese Medicine and yoga as ancient systems of holistic health and personal evolution, along with the latest evidence-based treatment techniques to help you feel better than you ever thought possible.
I work best with people who like to be active partners in their healing process: willing to do the self-care assignments you’ll likely receive, because the things you do every day make a massive difference in how you end up feeling.
If you’re already an established patient, you can schedule an appointment here.
Not yet a patient? Please call us at (541) 757-4868 and we’ll set you up with your initial series of appointments.
When you call, we’ll set you up with a plan of care that best supports your goals. We’ll schedule your initial treatment series when you make your first appointment to make sure we can guarantee responsible follow-through on your plan of care, as our schedule fills up quickly. Trust us, this is way easier by phone, but you can request an appointment here.
Like any medicine, dosage matters.
- For best results in the the treatment of pain, we’d ideally see each other twice a week for 2-3 weeks, at which point we’d expect about a 50% improvement, and then re-evaluate from there. need a few more visits, or it might be appropriate to stretch out the interval between appointments until you get the result you want; every case is different.
- For internal medicine conditions where herbs, lifestyle, and diet therapies are used to support the system, once a week for four weeks and then 2x/month is usually a good starting framework.
I tend to have success with issues like:
- Back and neck pain, hip pain, sciatica
- Knee, shoulder, wrist, or any other joint pain, arthritis
- Chronic and acute injuries
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- Tiredness, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue
- Autoimmune conditions like fibromyalgia
- Hot flashes, night sweats, PMS, painful periods, heavy bleeding
- Headaches, migraines
- Sleep problems
- Digestive issues: bloating, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, GERD
- Recovery from surgery
- Psycho-emotional re-patterning from trauma
- Respiratory issues: asthma, allergies
- Conditions where other forms of medicine haven’t helped, or where the side-effects outweigh the benefits
A handful of sessions could make a big difference. A dozen could be life-changing.
Please note that we do not deal with insurance companies directly: our relationship is with you.
We accept HSA and FSA cards, credit cards, checks, and cash, and are happy to provide you with a detailed receipt (known as a “superbill”) with the various codes and other info you’ll need in case your insurance company is willing to reimburse you — a system which works for many of our patients.
As a practitioner, I believe:
- In treating you like I’d treat a member of my own family
- That a healthy society is one that affirms the equality and celebrates the dignity of all humans, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or religious beliefs.
- That I’m doing my job when you don’t need to come back as oten
- That my first job is to listen to you with compassion
- That no one knows your body better than than you, so I take you and your intuition seriously
- That what you do in your daily life will have a profound effect on whether or not you get better, so I’ll strategize with you about ways you can help yourself
- In treating both the symptoms that brought you here as well as the root cause
- Every interaction that you have with a medical provider should help you feel better
- In empowering you with the knowledge and tools to take care of yourself
- No one has all the answers, and if I don’t think I can help you, I’ll tell you and provide you with a thoughtful referral
- In lifelong learning, so I am constantly deepening my medical knowledge in addition to learning from everyone I treat
- In walking my talk about holistic self-care
- In bioindividuality: what works for someone else’s body might be different than what’s right for you
- That you have the right to prioritize your wellness, and that when you do, everyone in your life will benefit
- That when you change what and how you eat, move, deal with stress, and sleep, you can dramatically change how you feel, no matter how old you are
- That you’re not what you eat, you’re what you can digest
- That small changes repeated over time will take you in a very different direction than you’d otherwise be heading
- In strategizing with you and supporting you to make healthy changes in your life
- That adapting to a sick society is not a sign of health
- In giving back to our community
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by guiding the body back to its natural state of balance so it can heal itself.
An acupuncture point is a node where the body’s intelligence and bio-electricity can be accessed. Like a key on a keyboard, we can talk to the body through these nodes. The tools we use are tiny, sterile, flexible filaments.
Studies have shown acupuncture regulates the nervous system by stimulating the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, which respond by releasing neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural painkillers and “feel–good” chemicals. It’s been shown to boost immune function through increased production of T-cells.
Local needling decreases inflammation in the nerves, muscles, tendons and fascia; increases blood circulation to areas that need to heal, moderates adenosine levels to reduce pain, almost instantly improves range of motion, and muscular strength.
But we do know that it harnesses the body’s ability to self-regulate. For example, acupoint Stomach 36 will increase the production of stomach acid for someone that has too little, and decrease the amount produce for someone who has too much — because your body is smart and wants to heal.
| When you get acupuncture, the body releases: |
People who get acupuncture harness these amazing benefits to turn the volume down on pain and maximize well-being. After an initial series to solve a specific problem, “maintenance care” acupuncture visits are a powerful way to support your body and defy your diagnosis. |
Where does acupuncture come from?
Acupuncture is the most well–known branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is one of the oldest systems of health care in the world, dating back around 4,000 years. Our oldest acupuncture textbook is roughly 2,200 years old.
TCM is its own independent framework of diagnosing and treating the body for optimum wellness that encompasses acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy, massage techniques, meditation, and qi gong (energy cultivation/ exercise).
In Chinese Medicine, we see the body as an ecosystem rather than a bunch of disconnected parts. Symptoms in different systems the body –sleep problems, digestion, and hormone imbalance, for example — might be connected to one underlying imbalance in the body. We work on correcting that imbalance so that all the symptoms improve.
In Oregon, people who are licensed to practice Chinese Medicine are called “Licensed Acupuncturists,” a title which (sadly) tends to obscure the other branches of the medicine, like herbalism, our go-to modality for internal medicine.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Most people find acupuncture a very relaxing experience, and it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a treatment. Acupuncture needles are approximately as thin as a human hair and insertion is practically painless. You may not feel anything, or you may feel a slight prick as the needles are inserted, followed by a sensation of something “plugging in” to your body’s energy.
We imagine it like a light bulb turning on: a sense of connecting to your body’s bio-electrical current. You may experience this as a strong tingle, warmth, or heaviness as the qi is accessed. You then relax with your pins for 20–25 minutes. If you are ever uncomfortable for any reason during an acupuncture treatment, just ring the wireless doorbell we put in your hand and your practitioner will attend to you.
Is acupuncture safe?
While there are risks involved in any medical procedure, when administered by a professionally trained acupuncturist, acupuncture is considered very safe, especially when only sterile, single-use, disposable needles are used (as in our clinic). Brodie holds a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine and Nationally Board Certified in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) and is licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical examiners.
What should I expect at my first visit?
Before your first visit, you’ll fill out intake paperwork. On the day of your treatment, it’s a good idea to eat something and maybe not overcaffeinate. Please dress in loose clothing that we can easily re-arrange if necessary.
At your first visit, we will discuss your health concerns and your health history. These are ways we assess what’s out of balance. If we’re treating pain, I’ll also perform some tests for muscle function and range of motion. If we’re treating internal medicine, I’ll take your pulse and look at your tongue (which reflects what’s going on with your microbiome). Then you’ll get on the table for treatment.
Since acupuncture is just one branch of Chinese Medicine, your treatment may well include other tools in the Chinese Medical toolbox. We’ll talk about how lifestyle and dietary changes, meditation, breathing, qi gong, and yoga techniques may help bring you back into balance, working with whatever branches of the medicine you’re comfortable with.
First visits typically take 60-90 minutes.
How might I feel afterwards?
It’s not unusual to feel spacey for a little while after a treatment — those are your natural opiodes and endocannabinoids doing their work. Let it be okay if you need to rest afterward. Give yourself time for things to settle. You may notice all kinds of sensations in your body. Things may get better right away, but since you’re not getting all your pain messages (adenosine receptors are altered) it’s important not to overdo it. You may feel energized or tired, emotional or elated. All of these are possible and to be noted and welcomed. Simply observe and report back. We’ve set a process in motion – trust that process.
In the treatment of pain, it’s not uncommon to feel sore the day after treatment — like you’ve had deep tissue work or a tough workout — and much better two of three days later.
How many treatments will I need?
Like any medicine, dosage matters. And every case is different in severity, duration, age, etc.
For musculoskeletal pain issues, we’d ideally start with 2 treatments a week for 3 weeks and then reassess. We expect about a 50% improvement (or maybe 30% if you deal with a chronic, systemic condition like an autoimmune disease that takes your body’s resources to manage). and then re-evaluate from there.
You need another handful of visits at this cadence, or it might be appropriate to stretch out the interval between appointments until you get the result you want; every case is different. Electro-acupuncture tends to accelerate the rate of recovery. But the fastest path isn’t for everyone.
For internal medicine conditions where herbs, lifestyle, and diet therapies are used to support the system, once a week for four weeks and then 2x/month is usually a good starting framework, as Chinese Herbs, lifestyle and diet will likely play an important role in your healing process. If you’re open to these branches of the medicine, you’ll likely need far fewer office visits.
Can acupuncture be used preventatively?
Absolutely! “Treat beforehand” is one of the axioms of TCM we take seriously. Many clients come in for regular “tune-ups” as part of their holistic wellness routine because they appreciate the opportunity to check in with themselves, to prevent small issues from turning into bigger problems, to support the growing edge of their personal development, or just to relax in a nurturing environment.
How much do you charge? Do you take insurance?
Your first visit, which includes an extensive medical history and acupuncture runs $185, and typical follow-up visits are $133. Some conditions will respond better to herbal medicine than to acupuncture, a cost-effective approach where you may well need fewer acupuncture visits but should budget $50-$100/ month for herbal medicine. Since acupuncture works best as a series, we encourage you to consider the value that investing in a proper course of treatment could provide.
We do not bill insurance directly nor are we “in network” with any insurance companies. We accept HSA and FSA cards, credit cards, checks, and cash, and are happy to provide you with a detailed receipt (known as a “superbill”) with the various codes and other info you’ll need in case your insurance company is willing to reimburse you — a system which works for many of our patients. We encourage you to check with your insurance company directly.
Your payment is expected at the time of your appointment.
What’s dry needling?
Dry needling is a type of acupuncture used to target myofascial trigger points, motor points, and other biomedical targets. In Oregon, other practitioners like physical therapists and doctors can legally perform dry needling with very little training compared to the thousands of hours of training required of a Licensed Acupuncturist. In choosing a practitioner, consider whether you want someone who’s had a few weekend workshops or someone who has dedicated her life to the practice.
But I’m afraid of needles!
Me too. I can’t stand getting blood work. But let me tell you: the word “needle” is misleading: about 28 of my standard workhouse acupuncture needles can fit inside a typical hypodermic, so the experience is nothing like what you’d imagine. The acupuncture “needles” are solid (since and since they’re not taking anything out or putting anything into the body), flexible, about the size of human hair. It’s generally so relaxing than patients often nap on the table.
What’s Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are both tools in the Chinese medical toolkit. Every time you take your herbs, you are helping to shift the imbalance at the root of your symptoms. Herbs are an incredibly cost-effective way of supporting your health goals between treatments, as a month’s worth of herbs typically costs half as much as an acupuncture visit. Chinese herbs are available in both powdered form (custom blends) and in standardized formulas in pill form for ease of use.
Depending on your condition, Chinese herbs may play an important role in your treatment plan. While conditions like back pain or arthritis tend to respond best to acupuncture, internal problems with digestion, sleep, menopause, skin, immunity, and reproductive health tend to be best treated with a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Taking a personalized herb blend allows you to reinforce the same message that we send to your body during acupuncture about how to get back into balance. Because formulas are aimed at correcting the underlying imbalance in the body, a well–designed Chinese Herb formula can treat many different symptoms at once.
Chinese herb formulas have been used safely and effectively for over thousands of years, in synergistic combinations to address the underlying disharmony as well as the symptom.
Most Chinese herbs can be safely taken in conjunction with Western medication, and may even help to offset the negative side effects of prescription drugs. If you are taking medication, it is important to let your acupuncturist know so that negative drug-herb interactions may be avoided.
All the Chinese Herbs prescribed at this office have been lab tested for safety and purity, and to ensure that they contain no heavy metals, harmful bacteria, or other potentially harmful substances. All ready-made Chinese medicinals sold here meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and contain no pharmaceuticals.
Brodie Welch, L.Ac. is a Nationally Certified Diplomate in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCAHM), a distinction that encompasses Chinese Herbal Medicine as well as bio-medicine and acupuncture.
What’s electroacupuncture?
Electroacupuncture is when we add alligator clips to the ends of acupuncture needles and send an electrical current through them — similar to a TENS unit, but at a deeper level. It stimulates a dramatic release of the body’s pain-relieving neurotransmitter, providing long-lasting pain relief, faster tissue healing. It’s especially useful for neurological conditions and when muscles aren’t turning on properly. Want to see what it looks like? I wrote a blog post about it here.
This is all so interesting. How can I learn more?
I’ve hosted a podcast called “A Healthy Curiosity” since 2016. While I’m no longer actively producing new episodes, I’ve produced over 240 episodes hundreds of hours of interviews with experts in Chinese Medicine, functional medicine, Ayurveda, yoga, health coaching, mindfulness, and so much more. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts.
Where are you located?
Life in Balance Acupuncture is located at 534 NW 4th Street in Corvallis, Oregon, just north of downtown. Our clinic entrance is at the back of the building, where you’ll find parking. Turn into the alley between Polk and Tyler and you’ll find us in the yellow building.
How do I get started with treatment?
Call 541-757-4868 and we’ll get you set up with your initial series of visits to ensure continuity of care in our busy schedule. Trust us, this is way easier to do by phone than over email. 😊 Like chiropractic or physical therapy, while you might notice improvements immediately, it often takes a handful of visits for changes to really stick. A problem that’s been around for decades may require a longer course the course of treatment. Because we are committed to being able to follow through, it often takes a few months to get scheduled.
If you want to speak to Brodie directly, just let us know. We’re happy to chat for a few minutes to see if you’re a good candidate for acupuncture and answer other questions you may have.