Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Andrea Kurtz Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, at 5410 California SW. Here’s what Andrea would like you to know about her practice:

Andrea says, “What keeps patients coming back to me is, ultimately, my success in treating them and improving their health. For each patient I see, my first question is, ‘What is your goal in seeking acupuncture?’ The answers are always inspiring, and sometimes surprising. Some people want to improve athletic performance. Some want to be pain-free. Some just want to sleep through the night. I think a lot of my patients appreciate that I take time to understand them as a whole person, not just, for example, a headache. I even treat entire families — one partner will come in for something, maybe a cold or flu, and will feel so much better that the other partner comes to see me, and pretty soon I’m even treating the kids! The majority of my patients at some point stop coming in regularly, because their health improves. At the same time, that’s why they come back. In the broad sense, my patients see me because they want to improve their lives, and they keep coming back because acupuncture and Chinese herbs help them to do that.”

Andrea’s background is wide-ranging. We asked what has drawn patients to her, and she explained that some come “because I have a western medical background, and that makes people more comfortable. I see quite a few cancer patients, as well, thanks to my integrative oncology training. Some people are curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and I create an environment that is very supportive of patients who want to understand TCM in a western medical context. I also see patients who come in the door and say, ‘I have these symptoms. Am I crazy?’ and it’s always rewarding to be able to say, ‘No, you’re not crazy!’ Chinese Medicine has such a different way of looking at the body and its systems — very holistically — that some health issues that don’t make sense to us in a western context are easily explained and treated using TCM.

Andrea Kurtz Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs is located in the West Seattle Whole Health Center, and like others there, is an independent practice: “I run my own business, and I work closely with other practitioners in different disciplines — physical therapists, MDs, naturopaths, massage therapists, and other acupuncturists.” She’s working to set up a group “specifically for West Seattle alternative medical practitioners, where we can all network, share ideas, and support the community more effectively. It’s a great, self-contained community and a wonderful place to live, and I’m very excited to be part of it!” You can schedule an appointment online, or call 206-200-3595.

We thank Andrea Kurtz Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.