Sierra Abate, DACM, MS, L.Ac., Dipl. OM

Sierra Abate

Sierra is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, as well as a Board-Certified Herbalist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She holds the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine credential from the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM), the national standard for certification in acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Drawing from the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she works with patients to address both the underlying patterns of imbalance and their presenting symptoms. Her goal is to provide compassionate, patient-centered care while empowering individuals with tools and education to support their long-term health and well-being.

Sierra values a collaborative model of healthcare and works to support patients as part of a broader care team when appropriate. She believes that integrative care can help provide the most comprehensive support for patients. She welcomes collaboration with other healthcare providers to ensure care is coordinated and aligned with each patient’s overall health goals.

Sierra is committed to creating a supportive healing environment where patients feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their care.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting very thin, sterile single-use needles into specific points on the body to stimulate nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. These points correspond to networks that influence the body’s organs, circulation, nerves, and overall balance.

The goal of acupuncture is to help the body regulate itself. It can stimulate the nervous system, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and encourage the release of natural pain-relieving and mood-regulating chemicals. In traditional terms, acupuncture helps restore the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) through pathways called meridians, supporting the body’s ability to heal and maintain balance.

Acupuncture is commonly used to help with pain, stress, digestive issues, sleep problems, emotional balance, and many other health concerns. Treatments are typically gentle and relaxing, and many people experience a sense of calm during and after a session.

We often use it to treat victims of auto accidents. It’s valuable for may of the injuries sustained in these type of accidents, It’s often covered by workman’s compensation as well.

From a biomedical perspective, acupuncture works through several mechanisms:

The science behind acupuncture focuses on how needle stimulation affects the nervous system, circulation, and biochemical signaling in the body. While acupuncture originated in Traditional Chinese Medicine, many of its effects have been studied using modern physiology and neuroscience.

• Nervous system modulation: Needle stimulation activates sensory nerve fibers in the skin and muscles. These signals travel to the spinal cord and brain, where they can alter pain processing and regulate autonomic nervous system activity (sympathetic and parasympathetic balance).
• Neurochemical release: Acupuncture can trigger the release of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which help reduce pain, improve mood, and regulate physiological functions.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Research shows acupuncture can influence inflammatory pathways by affecting cytokines, immune cell activity, and local tissue signaling, helping decrease inflammation and promote tissue healing.
• Improved circulation: Needle insertion causes local microcirculatory changes and vasodilation, increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.
• Brain network effects: Functional MRI studies show that acupuncture can modulate activity in brain regions involved in pain perception, emotional regulation, and homeostasis.

Because of these mechanisms, acupuncture is studied and used clinically for conditions such as chronic pain, headaches, musculoskeletal disorders, stress-related conditions, and certain gastrointestinal or neurological issues. Treatments are generally well tolerated when performed by well-trained, licensed practitioners.

What does acupuncture help support?

Acupuncture is used to support the treatment of a wide range of health conditions by influencing pain pathways, nervous system regulation, circulation, and inflammatory processes. It is most commonly used as part of an integrative care approach alongside conventional medical treatment.

Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions

Acupuncture is widely studied for pain management and may help with:

• Chronic low back pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Muscle tension and myofascial pain
• Sciatica
• Tendonitis
• Post-injury or post-surgical pain

Headaches and Neurological Conditions

It is commonly used for:

• Migraines
• Tension headaches
• Nerve pain (neuropathy)

Stress, Sleep, and Mental Health

By affecting the nervous system and stress hormones, acupuncture may help with:

• Stress and burnout
• Anxiety
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Fatigue

Digestive Disorders

Acupuncture can support regulation of digestive function in conditions such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Nausea and vomiting (including chemotherapy-related nausea)
• Acid reflux
• Bloating and slow digestion

What is cupping?

Cupping is one modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses special cups to create suction over the skin. The suction pulls the skin and superficial muscle tissue upward into the cup, which increases local circulation, stimulates the underlying tissues, and promoting faster healing of the surrounding area.

Cupping helps to improve circulation, relaxes muscles and joints, calms the nervous system, and promotes regeneration of injured/damaged cells. Cupping is often seen as an inverse massage. Instead of applying pressure to the muscles, it provides a gentle pulling or lifting sensation, giving the muscles a relaxing break.

Cupping is often incorporated into our acupuncture treatments.