Welcome To A Different Kind of Health
​By Takako Takayanagi, Founder, AcuPoint Chicago

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As a young girl in my native Japan, I wanted people around me to be happy, and it was clear that being healthy had a lot to do with that.  

In my early working years as a nurse in Japan, I had the good fortune to see the power of  holistic medicine for the first time working in a pediatric unit at a local hospital near my home town, where I studied acupuncture and Moxa therapy under the late Dr. Hirose Shigeyuki Hirose, an Oriental and Western medical expert.  Through these treatments, he helped improve immunity in children with chronic, life threatening conditions including asthma and kidney disease. I was deeply moved by Dr. Shigeyuki's work, and looking back, it was my first step in a career focused on holistic healing and wellness.   

After moving from Japan to Chicago in 1989, I became a registered nurse, working in Chicago mainly in the medical surgical unit at a local hospital.  Early on, my work focused on taking care of seriously ill or dying patients which left me feeling helpless.  Most patients’ conditions were irreversible, and it left me questioning "What does it mean to be healthy and how can I help my patients achieve that?"  I knew I wanted to help others heal, but more importantly, I wanted to help them develop true health to live a balanced, vital and happy life. So, I turned my focus, time and attention back to the study and practice of holistic healing and wellness.  

After earning a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago in 2003, and Certifications in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, and Oriental Medicine, I began my own practice.  While I knew these were effective treatments, I was beyond excited to begin to treat patients using this approach and see the results for myself.  

Chinese medicine and acupuncture are powerful treatments that approach healing very differently than Western medicine.  When their is an imbalance in our physical, emotional, mental or spiritual state - especially a sustained imbalance -  it is not possible to experience a meaningful level of health or vitality and our body’s systems can suffer, giving illness or disease the opportunity set in. Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture help the body recover from illness, reduce or eliminate chronic and acute pain, reduce stress, and rebalance the body by using the body's systems to heal itself. 

About two years into my practice, the focus of my work took an fundamental turn when I was introduced to “Balance Method” Acupuncture (developed by Dr. Richard The-Tan) by former College Clinic Professor Dr. David Chow.  This highly specialized method is a series of acupuncture systems rooted in the concept of healing the body by balancing the body's meridians, and it requires years of advanced education and experience to be successful. Dr. Chow invited me into this work, and it changed the course of my practice from the very first day.  I was in awe of his techniques, how he healed patients more quickly than other acupuncture methods, and the passion and care that he poured into his work. He has been my mentor ever since that day.  Balance Method Acupuncture is the foundation of our work at AcuPoint Chicago. 

Through my work in holistic healing and alongside my work registered nurse, I've come to see what it means to be healthy...true health means living a life where the mind, body, and spirit are balanced and in harmony, where each facet of a person's physical, emotional, and mental health is addressed and understood for its connection to the other parts of ourselves, where the whole person is treated, not just one's symptoms.  A  must be considered together when determining how to best treat a patient to restore them to health and reestablish balance. 

Years of hands-on specialized training with Dr. Chow and my depth of experience with my patients helped me build a business that reflects my purpose in life.  My approach to patient care is the same as when I began my practice nearly 15 years ago – to ease the pain people feel, to give hope for living a comfortable and healthy life, and to help others find peace in their hearts. 

I am so grateful to all of the people who have and who continue to enrich my life - my mentor Dr. David Chow and his lovely wife, Sharon; my dear sister, Yuko; my family and friends, and my patients - each of whom has enriched my life more than I can ever express.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of my journey and in bringing my life's work to life.  ​There is nothing better than the joy I feel when I see my patients get healthy and live better, happier lives because of treatment. ​

As you consider your next step in achieving health in your life, we look forward to helping you in your journey of  healing and wellness - of balance and harmony - and I look forward to meeting you personally. 

Symptoms Treated​

  • Pain Relief
  • Women's Health
  • Heart Health
  • Digestive Health
  • Emotional Wellness
  • Allergy Relief
  • Cancer Symptoms​

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Learn about how acupuncture and holistic medicine can help you heal and achieve balance for your specific concerns.