Ashley Simmons
Acupuncture & Bodywork
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Ashley Simmons is an Acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and practitioner of Tuina (Asian-style bodywork). She attended the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin from which she earned her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine in 2010. She is certified by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and is licensed to practice in the state of Texas by the Texas Medical Board. Ashley’s goal during treatments is to relieve the patient's symptoms while focusing on the root of the problem. Consideration is given to each individual's health history, diet, and
Ashley Simmons, LAc
lifestyle pattern. Ashley believes in the integration of Eastern and Western medicine to treat disease and maintain wellness. She has helped her patients overcome emotional disorders, respiratory conditions, gynecological conditions, infertility, digestive disorders, and all types of pain.
512-348-6750
How did you decide to become an acupuncturist?
Before I became an acupuncturist, I was a patient. During my junior year of college at the U. of Missouri, Columbia (while enrolled in the accounting program), I was experiencing bad menstrual cramps and bloating.
Meanwhile, my mom had been seeing an acupuncturist for menopause symptoms. She told me that she felt much relief and a greater sense of well-being as a result of the treatments. She suggested I try it for my cramps while I was home during my winter break. I didn't have any real hopes of it making a difference but decided that it couldn't hurt.
When the acupuncturist was feeling my pulse, she asked me how I had
been feeling emotionally. I told her that I was a little sad because I was not feeling hopeful about my future career since I wasn't enjoying most of my business classes. But I didn't realize the extent of my sadness until I started to cry like a baby on the treatment table after the needles had been inserted. I was embarrassed and tried to hold back my tears. But she encouraged me to let them out, saying that it was all part of the healing process, and that my emotions were likely a part of the cause of my menstrual cramps and bloating. When the treatment was finished, I felt very relaxed and happy, as if a weight had been lifted. Intuitively, on a deeper level, I felt that I had found my calling.
Upon research, I was amazed at the number of conditions that acupuncture has been known to treat. I was very excited about the idea of helping those in need (and those unaware that they are in need) with a medicine that I actually believed in and had a very profound experience with.
I changed my major to Business Administration (to graduate as quickly as possible) and moved to Austin, TX to attend AOMA. So after 8+ years of full-time college, I am healthy and happy doing what I love and believe in. The more people I treat, the more I find myself in awe of the human body, mind, and spirit and how receptive it is to the powerful transformation that Chinese Medicine offers. Thank you for letting me share my story.
