Testimonials

Happy Holidays from all of us at Professional Acupuncture and Physical Therapy.

Call Heidi to schedule an appointment to get relief for your ailments.

Heidi LaBore Smith, MS, L.Ac., PT

Heidi LaBore Smith has over 30+ years experience in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and over 43 years experience as a physical therapist.

With a Master of Science of Oriental Medicine and as Diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, Heidi is licensed to practice Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and Physical Therapy in the State of Minnesota, by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Originally from the Twin Cities, Heidi obtained her B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Minnesota in 1980. Since then she has worked in acute care, orthopedics, rehab and skilled nursing facilities as Department Director, Rehab Director, Clinical Instructor and Physical Therapist in Independent Practice. She obtained graduate degrees in Holistic Therapies and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1990 & 1996 respectively.

From 1994 to 1998, Heidi owned New Braunfels Acupuncture & Physical Therapy (in New Braunfels, Texas) integrating Acupuncture, Holistic Medicine, Herbology, Nutrition, Myo-fascial Release & Cranio-Sacral Therapy. In 1998, Heidi opened Professional Acupuncture and Physical Therapy in Duluth. In 2023, Heidi earned her certificate in Advanced Clinical Training, in Nutrition Response Testing®.

In TCM theory, weakening of key female reproductive health aspects might be linked with genetic defects, overwork, too little rest, injury from too much menstrual bleeding, emotional distress, improper diet, too much alcohol, or too much chilled food. Contemporary TCM practitioners believe that some medicines and medical interventions, like long-term use of hormonal birth control methods, can also have a detrimental effect on the female system.

Is there a natural, non-invasive way to help ease symptoms of women’s health issues? Yes!

A multitude of scientific studies have shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an effective way to treat many gynecological health conditions, and to maintain general good health for women. That includes acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, which are finally gaining more and more scientific validity in the Western Medicine arena—thought they have been used successfully for centuries!

Women’s health issues that can be supported by TCM include reproductive health (fertility and pre-natal care), menstrual wellness, menopause and perimenopause symptoms, and so much more. Because so many gynecological issues involve painful symptoms, and acupuncture is proven to provide pain relief, it’s natural that acupuncture is so helpful when it comes to women’s health.

Blood Flow

So much of our health depends on the flow of blood throughout our body and to our organs—this is even more important for women. Scientific studies show that acupuncture is effective for improving blood flow to vital organs as it relaxes blood vessels, and reduces high blood pressure.

Fibromyalgia

5 million people in the United State suffer from fibromyalgia, and most of those are women. Fibromyalgia is complicated and can be difficult to treat, because of its many linked causes and symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia symptoms.

Fertility

Recent studies have found that acupuncture may improve menstrual health and help women conceive. Because these studies are so new (since TCM has been rejected in the Western world for so long, and is only beginning to become a part of scientific medical research and practice), more research is needed.

PMS

An analysis of 15 studies found that acupuncture treatment was significantly effective in treating PMS, compared with medicine and sham acupuncture. While more, larger studies are needed to fully confirm the scientific evidence of acupuncture to treat Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms, there is a slew of promising research to back it. Since PMS has such varied effects on different women—from moodness to severe abdominal pain—there are also a variety of ways acupuncture and TCM may be used to help. In particular, studies show that acupuncture and acupressure are sure-fire solutions for mood swings, depression, pain, and anxiety—some of the major symptoms of PMS.