Skip to content

Valley Acupuncture

James Pedersen, LAc, DiplAcJimPedersenImages-22

James Pedersen is a licensed acupuncturist and is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a member of the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ILAAOM). He graduated with honors from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, which is one of the first established and accredited acupuncture colleges in the country.

Jim’s interest in Chinese Medicine began while studying the various martial arts of TaeKwon-Do, Tang Soo Do, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. Watching many martial artists, including a few renown masters, control their energy, and the energy of others; Jim began to see the incredible power of the body, mind, and spirit. In Chinese Medicine, the body, mind, and spirit are at the core of healing. Jim has always been a believer in the body’s own capacity to heal and acupuncture proved to be an effective form of therapy that encouraged that natural healing process without negative side effects. After experiencing the powerful effects of acupuncture first hand, he decided to make a career change to become an acupuncturist in order help others experience the benefits of this incredible healing art.

The approach Jim uses in treating his patients is both individualistic and holistic. He carefully develops a clear, concise evaluation of each patient’s overall health by asking them questions, listening to them, watching them, and feeling their radial pulse. From this, a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the presenting complaint and the root cause of the condition is developed. He uses not only acupuncture but also other traditional techniques within the scope of Chinese Medicine to effectively treat a wide range of conditions that stem from both physical and emotional imbalances. In addition, he believes in providing his patients with the necessary tools and information needed to take a proactive role in their own health. By counseling patients in diet, exercise, lifestyle, and awareness and relaxation techniques, effective and lasting results are achieved.

On a more personal note, Jim is the father of three incredible boys, and the husband of a loving wife who helps provide his strength and vision.

Libby Proctor, LAc, DiplAC
     Libby Proctor is a Licensed Acupuncturist and a nationally board certified herbalist. She received her Master of Science degree from Pacific College of Health and Science (formerly Pacific College of Oriental Medicine) in Chicago, IL and her Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
    Always interested in anatomy and biology, Libby explored the possibility of becoming a medical doctor early on in her life.  But after feeling as if something was missing from the Western medical approach (and not realizing what else was “out there”), she gave up on the thought of becoming a healthcare practitioner.
     Unsure of what to do upon graduating from college, she serendipitously received a Chinese medical treatment (gua sha, to be exact) for a severe cold she was experiencing.  Within hours of the treatment, and to her complete astonishment, her cold miraculously abated.  She felt she had finally found that missing piece to healthcare, her passion for healing was reignited, and she enrolled in Chinese medical school that next fall.
     Libby has over 12 years of diverse clinical experience, including working at her academic Dean’s private practice and interning at Project Vida, a community center that provides education, holistic health, and other services to underserved,  communities in Chicago. She ran her own private practice in Wicker Park and worked for a leading rheumatologist in the Chicagoland area.  When she moved to Virginia Beach to be with her husband who was in the military, she worked at the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment and at JenCare Senior Medical Center, a primary and speciality care Western medical practice committed to delivering superior and comprehensive healthcare to seniors.
     With her strong belief that people find wellness holistically through body, mind, and soul (re)alignment and her extensive experience working alongside Western medical doctors,
Libby effortlessly and seamlessly bridges the gap between Eastern and Western healing paradigms.
     Additionally, after experiencing post-partum depression and anxiety after the birth of both of her children, she discovered her passion for guiding new mothers through the often difficult, confusing, and choppy waters of motherhood, helping them to heal not only physically after pregnancy and childbirth, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well.
     Libby is a mom of two toddlers, a certified Reiki Master, an artist, and a personal development junkie.  She loves spending time in nature and enjoying delicious meals with family and friends.

 

 

Amy Yehoshua, LAc, DiplAC 

Amy is a licensed and board certified Acupuncturist with ILAAOM and NCCAOM. In 2007, she graduated from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago with a Masters of Science degree in Oriental Medicine and a Bachelors in Nutrition.

Amy has always been interested in holistic medicine. “I love to see how simple changes in diet, exercise, and energy can create such overwhelmingly beneficial changes to the body. There was always a clear path for me to end up practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine.” All it took was a few treatments to help her own heath issues to be hooked. Acupuncture and herbs worked like magic.

Starting her college career, Amy was interested in the who, what, when, where, and how, we all got here. She studied and graduated with degrees in History and Anthropology, focusing on China. At Northeastern Illinois University she completed three levels of Chinese language. She also spent a summer semester doing Archeology in Xi’an, China at Xi’an Jiao Tong University. “After college I decided to take a few years to backpack solo around the world. In my travels I met many wonderful people and learned an appreciation for nature and the simple things in life. When I returned, I turned back to my studies and completed the Masters program at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. Since then I have spent the last twelve years practicing Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional health. I love caring for and watching my patients grow and feel better”.

While Amy enjoys treating a wide variety of health issues, she has a particular interest in women’s health (including menstrual & hormonal issues, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and beyond), stress and mood issues, and wellness care.  Her other areas of specialization include treatment for stress, anxiety and depression, as well as pain care and management.

Amy’s treatments always begin with a verbal and physical assessment. Acupuncture needles are then inserted and you are left to rest while the needles guide your energy throughout your body. Tui na massage, gua sha, fire cupping, herbal and nutritional counseling are also part of your personal treatment.

 

 

Kara Canga-Arguelles, LAc, DiplAC             

     Kara is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist with ILAAOM and the NCCAOM. She graduated magna cum laude from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago with a Master of Science degree in oriental medicine, and with additional focuses in herbology and nutrition. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. She also holds certifications and specializations in fertility acupuncture and pulse diagnosis.
     Kara first became involved in Chinese Medicine as a patient. A course of treatment involving acupuncture and herbal medicine gave her a “new body and a new outlook on life.” For the first time in a long time, not only did her initial symptoms resolve, but she felt what it means to be energized. Many things were not functioning optimally, and had righted themselves, symptoms that a doctor might have dismissed. However, in Chinese Medicine, all symptoms are clues to one’s state of health, part of a pattern of vitality or disease, or somewhere on a continuum between. Chinese Medicine also speaks to the psychology of the individual; as the body and mind are not recognized as separate in this model, there is the knowledge that imbalance in one area impacts the other. This was greatly intriguing with her psychology background. The same problems are recognized, but with different approaches to helping them. She came to study Chinese Medicine out of a deep desire to share this with others, so that they may be closer on that continuum to good health.
     “In a way, I was blessed to find acupuncture, and at a relatively young age. I felt there was no choice but to become an acupuncturist and share this great thing, that had helped me so much, with others.”
Her desire to share acupuncture with as many folks as possible has lead to experience with many different people and a variety of ailments. She has been privileged to treat many patients since her first years in practice. This has helped her grasp the “personality” of a particular health issue and be better equipped in treatment options.
     Some say that acupuncture and herbs are treasures and gifts to man.  Not only do they work together to alleviate immediate problems, but they can be used in an individualized way to change the source of the problem, thus paving the way for lasting relief and wellness.
     “Acupuncturists are lucky in that we get to see a lot of miracles. When a patient improves, that is all the reward in the world. To this end, I am truly committed to helping the patient get to their best state of health.”
    Kara can also be found wrangling her three young children, and traveling around the world, visiting friends near and far.

 

Rachel McKillip, Licensed Massage Therapist at Full Circle HealingIMG_0914

Rachel is a nationally certified and Illinois licensed massage therapist. She graduated from East West College of Healing Arts in Portland, Oregon. In addition to her massage therapy training at East West College, Rachel has taken courses at the Upledger Institute for Craniosacral Therapy, with Judith Dilaney for Trigger Point/ Neuro Muscular Therapy, Asis for Aryuvedic Massage, and the Japanese therapy of Shiatsu .

Rachel believes in a full circle approach to good health. Our body, mind and spirit all play a huge role in achieving good health. Massage therapy is a positive way to give back to our body and connect it with the mind and spirit.

Rachel uses organic, paraben-free & cruelty free massage creams.

Services include Swedish Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Shiatzu, Deep Tissue / Trigger Point Therapy & Prenatal Massage.

 

Full Circle Healing

http://www.fullcirclehealing.us

(630) 744-9167

6302084678