ASHLEY MAHOOD PARAISO, L.AC, M.OM, DIPL. OM
Ashley received her master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is licensed by the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board and is a certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Prior to her work at CSC, Ashley had a busy private practice in Washington, DC where she treated people with all manner of issues, including chronic pain, acute pain and injuries, fertility and women’s issues, pregnancy and post-partum, and stress and emotional issues. She studied Acupuncture for Sports Medicine and Pain with her mentor, Deborah Earley.
Ashley discovered the power of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine while pursuing her 500 hour yoga teacher certification years ago. She is particularly interested in the holistic nature of the medicine, treating each person as a unique and whole individual rather than just their symptoms. Ashley uses the lens of Chinese Medicine to assess a person’s overall flow and balance of energy in the body. This energy is called qi (pronounced “chee”), and flows through the body along channels (or meridians). When the qi and blood become tired or blocked, pain and other symptoms may arise. The ancient Chinese classic Huang Di Nei Jing explains, “If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is lack of free flow”. Acupuncture needles manipulate the body’s energy, bringing balance to the qi, blood and channels and thereby allowing the body to heal itself. When the body is in balance, it works efficiently and effectively, and the mind, body, and spirit thrive.
Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine and in that sense, it can be used to effectively treat a wide variety of aches, pains, symptoms, and disease. It can also be used as a vital tool to complement Western medical treatments, such as chiropractic and physical therapy. Acupuncture can be used as an important part of an overall wellness and prevention plan to keep the body and mind in balance and thriving. Acupuncture is non-invasive and has little or no adverse side effects.
Ashley recently moved to Charlotte from Washington, DC and can often be found chasing around her two young sons and her adopted pit mix, Fischer.