James Whittle

James Whittle M.S., L.Ac. is an acupuncturist and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). He has visited China more than 8 times to work in hospitals and conduct research. James has also consulted for the BBC on an acupuncture documentary and appeared on NBC news. In 2016, NBC called James “an expert in Chinese medicine.” He is the founder and owner of the Blue Ridge Clinic in Asheville, North Carolina, founded in 2003. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with honors, he completed his masters in acupuncture at Bastyr University in 2001. He is licensed to practice acupuncture in North Carolina and holds license #238. You can reach James at 828-254-4405.

Sweeping the mountain of nerves

Asheville Acupuncture / /

For many of us, it is time, simply time, to end the petty stresses of our lives. Can we truly commit to the awareness that happiness is eternally free from our circumstances? Are many or most of our problems “first world” problems? How many of us have visited a “third world” nation and noticed that people seem much happier there, less attached to fame, wealth and the future? Of course suffering can exist in anyone’s mind, in any location on […]

Sweeping the mountain of nerves Read More »

Asheville Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Acute Pain

Asheville Acupuncture / /

The effectiveness of acupuncture for acute pain has recently been proven. Many people erroneously think that acupuncture can only treat chronic pain, like chronic backpain, chronic elbow pain, or fibromylagia that has become a chronic condition. And it is true, multiple studies in China and the U.S. have focused on using acupuncture to treat chronic pain, but a recent study sheds light on the effectiveness of acupuncture for acute pain. In fact, patients responded faster and better to acupuncture than

Acupuncture for Acute Pain Read More »

Asheville Acupuncture

Acupuncture Research

Acupuncture Research / /

Western medicine prides itself on being scientific and evidence based, though some research suggests that more than half of all western medical procedures are not based on research. Scientific American delves into the issue in a recent article illustrating that there is not a high degree of scientific certainty in modern medicine. Professor of public policy Erik M. Patashnik recently published a story on Vox that states: “The recent news that stents inserted in patients with heart disease to keep

Acupuncture Research Read More »

Acupuncture Research

Acupuncture and Insomnia

Acupuncture and Insomnia / /

Insomnia and Sleep problems: Chinese and western medical approaches By Tai Lahans DOM Conventional medicine and Insomnia From a conventional medical point of view, there are two types and varying depths of sleep. NREM ( non-rapid eye movement ) sleep accounts for about 75% of sleep time. It is the initial phase of sleep characterized by slow EEG waves ( brain waves ), lowered respiratory and heart rates and lowered muscle tone. REM ( rapid eye movement ) sleep occupies

Acupuncture and Insomnia Read More »

Acupuncture and Insomnia

Acupuncture as Systems Theory

Acupuncture as Systems Thought / /

You cannot design anything without understanding the forces that flow through the design. Imagine designing a house without understanding how water flows through it, or electricity, or the force of gravity via mass across structure. Still in homes, and in home design and repair we have plumbers, electricians, contractors etc., each trained in their respective jobs, each a specialist….while in many cases, little thought is given to what we might call whole systems architecture. Also, rarely do architects think about

Acupuncture as Systems Theory Read More »

Acupuncture as Systems Thought

The Science of Chinese Medicine

Science of Chinese Medicine / /

By James Whittle M.S., L.Ac. Introduction In the February 2014 issue of Journal of Chinese medicine (number 204), Peter Eckman M.D., physician and acupuncturist, presented a short article titled “Traditional Chinese Medicine – Science or Pseudoscience? A Response to Paul Unschuld” in which he questions Paul Unschuld’s supposed belief that Chinese medicine and acupuncture are pseudoscientific pursuits that need validation by biomedical science. Other Chinese medicine scholars have argued that Unschuld is equally skeptical of both biomedicine and Chinese medicine.

The Science of Chinese Medicine Read More »

Science of Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture for Neuropathy

Acupuncture and Neuropathy / /

There are many different types of neuropathy. The Neuropathy Association identifies more than 100 possible types of neuropathy. Your medical doctor can help you get an accurate diagnosis from a western medical perspective. Some common types of neuropathy are: Autonomic Neuropathy Injury related Neuropathy Cancer-Related Neuropathies Compressive Neuropathies Diabetic Neuropathy Drug-Induced and Toxic Neuropathy G.I. and Nutrition-Related Neuropathies  Hereditary Neuropathies  Immune-Mediated and CIDP  Infectious Diseases and Neuropathy  Neuropathic Pain  Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy The common symptoms of neuropathy include: Tingling in

Acupuncture for Neuropathy Read More »

Acupuncture and Neuropathy

Acupuncture for Nasal Allergies

Acupuncture and Allergies / /

NPR reported a story this past week explaining that acupuncture is a viable treatment option for nasal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis. The Academy of Otolaryngology, has published new guidelines that can help allergy sufferers sort through the various treatment options and make a choice based on the best available evidence. Nasal allergies, or allergic rhinitis, affects almost 40 million Americans according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Acupuncture can provide a side-effect free treatment option to those

Acupuncture for Nasal Allergies Read More »

Acupuncture and Allergies

How To Do A Coffee Enema

Asheville Acupuncture / /

Introduction: Scroll down to see the steps below… I learned about coffee enemas from gastroenterologist Dr. Hiromi Shinya M.D. Dr. Shinya invented the colonoscope and noninvasive surgery for the large intestine. He has looked into the colons and stomachs of more than a half a million patients, and so he knows a thing or two about large intestine health. Dr. Shinya says that a coffee enema will help your large intestine repopulate itself with beneficial bacteria, or probiotics. The good

How To Do A Coffee Enema Read More »

Asheville Acupuncture
Shopping Cart