Offerings
Inclusive Acupuncture
East Asian medicine is for people of all ages, brains, and bodies. Here at Refuge, we lead with consent, practice at the pace of trust, are informed about neurodiversity, and offer treatment methods that range from very low to very deep sensation and everything in-between.
Very low sensation tools: microcurrent, medical-grade laser, pyonex (micro pins that do not puncture the skin and are affixed on a small adhesive), and phototherapy patches. The only sensation felt is the touch of the tool on the skin. Phototherapy patches can be placed either on the skin or on the clothing and, for the most part, are not felt on the skin.
Medium sensation tools: super-fine acupuncture pins, moxa, ear seeds, tui na (East Asian therapeutic massage), gua sha (superficial scraping of the skin with a jade tool)
Deep sensation tools: standard acupuncture pins, acupressure, herbal compress massage, moxa, tui na (East Asian therapeutic massage), cupping
Acupuncture and herbal medicine is primary care medicine throughout East Asia and in California. Here is a small selection of the physical and mental health concerns we work with here at Refuge: anxiety and depression, compulsive thoughts and actions, PTSD, cognitive/executive function, proprioception, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, digestive issues, chronic and acute pain, chronic illnesses including Long Covid, and insomnia. Want to know if inclusive acupuncture can help you or your child?
Plant Medicine
Us humans often forget about the deep relationship we’ve had evolving alongside plants for a millennia. With 5,000 years of experience using plants to heal, Chinese herbal medicine offers profound healing from anxiety to pain and everything in-between. To discuss if acupuncture and/or plant medicine can help you, book a Curiosity Call.
For kids and adults who are sensitive to taste, we utilize herbs that are more palatable and we work together to find sustainable ways to take your herbs without struggle. Herbal formulas come in different forms (tinctures, teas, sitz baths, topicals) and range in cost depending upon which phase of care you are in.
For those seeking both acupuncture and plant medicine, herbal formulation is included in the price of weekly treatments.
Somatic Therapy and Trauma Counseling
We are in the process of hiring our first somatic therapist to offer trauma-informed counseling right here in Burlington, VT, Bristol, VT and over telehealth.
Fill out the contact form to find out when our somatic therapist begins taking new patients.
Body-positive food + movement
Every body is a good body. Refuge Acupuncture is a trauma-informed, Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) healthcare provider. Our table can support 1,500 lbs and is wider than standard tables at 30”.
Before we offer guidance around food that would support your health and healing, we ask if you’re open to it.
We are guided by the classical principles of East Asian Medicine which (before meeting Western diet culture) didn’t see food as “good” or “bad” nor did it use restrictive language to talk about food. At Refuge, we go back to those roots to counsel you on food and movement practices for your unique constitution using their energetic characteristics.