strength. durability. QUALITY.
ONE-OF-A-KIND.
The wood of a Koa tree is sought for these qualities, and that’s what I want to share with you. At Koawood Acupuncture & Wellness, I try to provide you with the tools you need to be a better you, so you can be these things, too.
No one else is like you, and only you can take control of your health and wellness.
Take your health seriously.
I believe three things:
We are each made up of a web of relationships, inside and outside.
Modern life complicates things, which throws our relationships out of balance.
We can be rebalanced.
My goal is to achieve those words at the top of the screen by giving you the tools you need to thrive and be healthy. You can take control of your health and wellness, and I want to show you how.
My philosophy is simple: To help you uncover the complex web of your being and identify things in your life that are affecting your health and wellness so you can regain balance.
About me.
D. “Koa” Balanay-Tahkiné, MAcOM, Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®, L.Ac.
I am a licensed acupuncturist in Texas and Minnesota, and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®. I received my Masters in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine in 2018, and received certification in oncology acupuncture in 2023 after studying with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and also with Yair Maimon (OMD, PhD, Ac) of Israel.
I spent more than 15 years in retail and service industries, and I discovered a passion for service. I believe that a personalized interaction with people is important, and that transparency and information can lead to better choices and better experiences.
Since January 2019, I have helped foster new acupuncturists at AOMA, guiding them through their first term as treating interns with a focus on patient interaction and safety. In 2020, I began teaching patterns of TCM Diagnostics to students at AOMA.
Currently, I am enrolled in the Doctoral degree at AOMA, with a focus on how the intricacies of the environment, psychology, and society relate to pain and disease. In 2023, I am excited to begin a fellowship with Academy of Integrative Healthcare and Medicine in San Diego, CA.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a part of a greater medicine called Chinese medicine, which uses your body’s natural map of energy pathways to address imbalances. The tools are either pressure, laser, or threadlike needles. The needles are small, solid, and sterilized needles which are very different than the kind you may have seen to draw blood. Acupuncture needles are single-use only.
Chinese medicine is a holistic approach that views the body as an active and responsive part of the world in and around it. Most people are familiar with acupuncture, but it is actually a small part of Chinese medicine. Other aspects include cupping, gua sha, tui na, moxa, nutrition, body movement, lifestyle, and herbs. Chinese herbal medicine is a major part of Chinese medicine, and often the first line of medicine in many parts of the world. While you may be nervous to try herbal medicine, you can rest assured knowing that it grows from a long history of food as medicine. Many spices you use at home are also considered medicinal herbs.
What to Expect — Acupuncture & Integrative Chinese Medicine
Because everyone is different, we can’t say exactly what to expect when it comes to your visit. With me, all initial visits will last around 75-90 minutes depending on the focus of the visit, while follow-up visits are around 45-60 minutes. During your intake, you will be asked about your chief complaint or the reason you are visiting, and then there will be some follow-up questions about your whole system. (Remember how everything is connected?)
The biggest thing that sets an appointment with me apart from other providers is the amount of face-to-face time. I want to make sure your concerns, opinions, and experiences are heard. I want you to rest in the knowledge that you are valued in my care. I will discuss treatment options with you including alternatives to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and ideally establish a plan of care as we move forward, together.
More can be found on the blog, but to sum it up:
Expect 60-90 minutes as needed for your appointment (longer if it’s a new complaint that requires assessment).
Wear comfortable clothing like yoga pants or shorts, tank-top or t-shirt, so I can access your body points easily.
Avoid wearing any lotions, fragrances, or make-up if possible, which may interfere with treatment.
Eat a little something before your visit to help give your body the energy it needs to start the healing process.
You can (and should) brush your teeth, but try to avoid scraping or brushing your tongue before our visit.