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Downtown Tacoma welcomes new alternative health care clinic

By Matt Nagle

Tacoma Weekly
mattnagle@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 24, 2008

A new comprehensive alternative health care clinic has opened in downtown Tacoma, Abundant Health Acupuncture at 2211 Pacific Ave. Abundant Health offers treatment for the entire family, and specializes in the reduction or elimination of pain, treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases, male and female infertility and gynecological concerns through the use of numerous methods including acupuncture, massage, and Chinese herbal medicine.

Acupuncturist Lisa Taylor-Swanson founded the clinic in 2004 in Federal Way. With her clientele expanding rapidly, she was on the lookout for another locale, and when her husband, Carlos Taylor-Swanson, opened Gallery Madera at 2210 Court ‘A’ just off Pacific Avenue two years ago, she said she often thought about how nice it would be to work nearer to him. So, she turned her thoughts to Tacoma and a couple of months ago launched into moving her practice to the well-suited space above Gallery Madera. On July 25, Abundant Health will celebrate with a free grand opening event to which the public is invited.

“I saw an opportunity to move into downtown Tacoma, and I could not pass up the chance to give back to the city in which I live,” she said. “I’m excited to be a part of the downtown renaissance.”

Taylor-Swanson named her practice Abundant Health to reflect her belief that, with learned and compassionate guidance, everyone is capable of experiencing more radiant health and abundant vitality. “For me, this medicine is my passion. It’s so easy, it’s comfortable, and it works,” she said, noting that the cost is quite inexpensive compared to Western medicines. “This medicine should be available to every person.”

Since moving to the new space, Taylor-Swanson expanded the clinic by bringing on two additional acupuncturists and a massage therapist.

Amy Darling is a licensed acupuncturist who specializes in the treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases, neuromuscular injuries and pediatrics. “She’s great with kids and with internal medicine in general,” Taylor-Swanson observed. “She’s very adept at diagnosing and treating difficult cases,” like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and digestive concerns. To treat her patients, Darling uses acupuncture, Chinese medicine and “tui na,” a form of Chinese massage using the body’s acupoints.

Dr. Matt Lyon, chiropractic physician and licensed acupuncturist, treats all manner of neuromuscular conditions causing pain and discomfort. An avid athlete, he specializes in treating athletes, whether weekend warriors or professionals. Lyon is also a certified herbalist. Through his unique approach to health care, Lyon is able to treat a wide range of health concerns using a range of therapies that integrate chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition and herbal medicine.

Linda Gravano is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue and relaxation massage, cranio-sacral therapy, and will offer Mayan abdominal massage this fall to address the needs of clients with abdominal, fertility and gynecological issues.

Andrea E. Johnson is the clinic’s receptionist and scheduler. An immigrant from Bavaria, Germany, she moved to the United States in 2005 after earning her European esthetician’s certification and license. She is the central point of contact for scheduling appointments, making payments and researching questions regarding submitting claims.

Taylor-Swanson’s forté is women’s health. She has treated all kinds of gynecological concerns such as painful or long periods, infertility, and pre- and post-pregnancy issues including post-partum depression. “I find it’s truly my feminist mission to tell all women and girls that they don’t need to have painful or heavy periods,” she said. “Providing pain-free, low cost, effective medicine to women at various stages of life is my greatest joy.”

Not only is the Abundant Health staff knowledgeable in the technical aspects of their field, they also have a warm and sensitive “bedside manner,” a key element in dealing with people who are hurting and in need of tender loving care. (This reporter received his very first acupuncture treatment ever from Taylor-Swanson and it was a wonderful experience at the hands of a health care provider who is sincerely concerned about her patients and gentle in her approach to healing them.)   

Then there is the comforting décor at Abundant Health that creates a peaceful, healing environment for all who enter the clinic with its natural light, exposed wood paneling and vaulted ceilings. The clinic is made up of five rooms, each based on one of five Chinese elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The lights are kept dim, soft instrumental music plays, and even the paint on the walls in subdued, earth tone hues offers a relaxing atmosphere.

The grand opening celebration July 25, which offers appetizers, door prizes and drawing for gift baskets, begins at noon with a series of five seminars starting off with Taylor-Swanson speaking on two topics: promoting fertility naturally with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and how to reduce toxins in the home. Darling will speak on food as medicine, Gravano will talk about healing neck pain with massage therapy and self-care, and Lyon will speak on healing pain with ancient medicines.

To learn more about Abundant Health call (253) 383-8005 or visit www.abundanthealthacupuncture.net.

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