Volunteer with The Pin Cushion

Become a member of our acupuncture community!  We have several volunteers who work the front desk, clean, or do laundry in exchange for free acupuncture treatments. If this interests you, please email Cori at info@thepincushionclinic.com or drop by the office to chat!

Cooling watermelon lemonade

While it isn't quite summer in Seattle yet, it certainly feels that way. What better way to be prepared than with a delicious beverage in hand? Watermelons and lemons are both great for dispelling summer heat and, together, make a great variation on pink lemonade.

1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 parts watermelon puree (blend chunks until liquid, then press through a sieve to eliminate seeds)
water or sparkling water
your favorite liquid sweetener (stevia, agave, fruit juice concentrate, simple syrup, etc.)

And that's it! Enjoy cool, but not ice-cold

Meet Amber

It’s often said that when your passion and skill intersect you’ve found a purpose worth pursuing. I feel I have been extremely fortunate to find this in the art and medicine of 5 element acupuncture. I fell in love with this medicine about 5 years ago and immediately pursued the study of it through Wu Hsing Tao school. I graduated in July 2012 and joined the Pin Cushion in January 2013. What I love about the style of 5 element is the way in which it embraces the whole person. It offers a different theory and approach than TCM, which is what the other practitioners at the Pin Cushion practice. Because of this the point selection is often different, yet the focus of addressing the root of health and personal
challenges remains seamless with TCM.

My passion for this medicine grows every day as I work with patients of all ages and see how much of a difference it can make as patients come more into themselves and overcome stresses and challenges. In addition to working at the Pin Cushion I am also active in my private practice and offering acupuncture
to homeless through Roots in the U-district.

Meet Bruce!

Bruce Peters was trained in California where he studied acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  He practiced community acupuncture in Shoreline before coming to The Pin Cushion.  Come meet Bruce and get a great treatment and herbal prescription!  Bruce is in clinic on Tuesday mornings
and  Monday and Saturday afternoons.

Testimonials for The Pin Cushion

This spring our website will be getting an overhaul. You can expect the same easy access with an updated look and more content. We want to include patient testimonials so we need your help! Most of our patients find us via referrals from you and word of mouth. This trust helps our clinic grow, and keeps us open 7 days a week so we can be available to you when you need us! If you would like to share your experience so that others may gain insight about our little clinic, please send your testimonial to info@thepincushionclinic.com.  
We really appreciate it!

Meet Holly!

Holly joined The Pin Cushion in February 2013

and has been practicing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for over 15 years. She specializes in pain and stress relief, autoimmune disorders, women’s health, weight loss and facial rejuvenation.  Holly graduated from Southwest Acupuncture College’s Santa Fe, NM campus in 1998 with a Master’s of Science degree in Oriental Medicine. She began her career in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic in Asheville, NC, and owned and operated the Appalachian Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic in Boone, NC for 5 years. She moved to Orcas Island, WA in June 2005 and was a practicing member of the Healing Arts Center - the oldest, continuously run healing arts cooperative in the country. In May 2012, Holly decided to try living in the city and moved to West Seattle. She is happy and excited to practice Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in another island community, Vashon.

Additionally, Holly has a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Florida and a Certificate of Graduation from the Florida School of Massage/Florida Institute of Natural Health and practiced massage therapy for 10 years. Over the past 5 years, Holly has practiced Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine on board several luxury cruise ships. Holly has traveled and worked with people from all over the world and has explored natural healing techniques from several different cultures. In her free time, Holly enjoys sea kayaking and camping, yoga, cooking, hiking, biking, board games and traveling.

Summer and the Fire Element

The weather is warming up and summer is well on it's way...  the days are longer and we are getting more sunlight, which is probably having a positive effect on your energy level and mood.  This is the time of year when Yang (the active, energetic, enthusiastic, and extroverted part of us) is at its peak for the year.  

Summer is associated with the Fire Element in Chinese Medicine, and the The Fire Element  has a corresponding Yin organ (Heart), Yang organ (Small Intestine), and emotion (Joy).  It's natural and healthy to feel more joyful this time of year, as well as more social, because the Heart enjoys connection, communication, and laughter.  Chinese Medicine refers to the Heart in an energetic sense, but it's important to take good care of the physical heart organ as well, and get regular exercise to keep our circulatory system flowing and healthy. 

Because Summer is a warmer time of year, and it is the peak time for the Fire element, it's a good time of year to enjoy more cooling foods such as watermelon and cucumber.  Even being near a body of water is soothing for the Heart, which needs water to feel balanced and grounded. 

Lastly, the Heart governs our sleep, and between the high energy and long daylight hours of summer, it's easy to skimp on sleep.  However, sleep is still essential this time of year, and it's the best time for your Heart to rest and renew. 

Use this summer to take good care of  your Fire element, your Heart will thank you!