East Meets West of the Cooper
What could be more Charleston than…acupuncture? Indeed, the Holy City has much more in common with the ancient practice than meets the eye, and Amy Jo Gengler is driving that point home with her prime location in the heart of the Battery. Aptly hidden in a free-standing brick building that once housed antique Chinese furniture and nestled between E. Elliot and Exchange streets, Re-Soul is an oasis in the midst of downtown Charleston.
Like our favorite city, Amy Jo’s practice mixes the traditional with the progressive. Deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the art of locating and inserting (sanitary) needles into specific points on the body as a means of relieving pain, be it physical, mental, emotional, psychological or spiritual. That said, Re-Soul treats modern and everyday conditions such as low energy, insomnia, addictions and PMS. And of course there’s stress, but remember that stress is related to 80% of disease and should never be ignored.
The first session is devoted to finding the root of one’s pain, be it a broken bone or broken heart. Treatments thereafter are meant to heal permanently, so that sessions often become less frequent. In comparing herself to a therapist in this first session, Amy Jo says “Imagine you are a house. Talking about problems is like rearranging the furniture, whereas acupuncture allows you to actually remove things and redecorate.”
Part medicine man, part Dr. Phil, Amy Jo became interested in the practice at age 19 when her uncle introduced her to a book on western herbs. After devouring as much information as she could find on her own, Amy Jo went on to receive her Masters degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She continues to study the practice today, but claims that the profession actually “chose me.”
With the bouquet of coughs, colds and flus circulating these days, it might be the perfect time to try a little eastern remedy. In addiction to acupuncture, Re-Soul offers Chinese herbs to heal between sessions (this CHARLIE writer was able to stage a full-frontal attack on strep-throat with the help of Amy Jo and a customized antidote). Amy Jo sees this as a way of “buying local” in the healthcare industry.
After a relaxing hour-long acupuncture session complete with soothing music and dimmed lights, you can stroll one block down to a particularly tranquil spot along the Cooper River. Between the sailboats, cobblestone and tiny needle-pricks in your skin, this is Charleston at its best.
Story by: Carter Worrell
Photos by: Jason A. Zwiker
10 Comments
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How amazing that we have Amy Jo in our little city. We’re richer for it.
Amy Jo sounds like the perfect replacement for Gregg Smythe’s acupuncture and oriental medicine services. Gregg helped me get rid of problematic colds, and many other issues. I’m totally sold on the quality of acupuncture as a way to heal.
Amy Jo is a true blessing and a miracle worker! She cured my insomnia and my anxiety–no more pills. I’m free, thanks to Amy Jo! I highly recommend her!
Anna Kelly
Wonderful and informative article. Thank you.
Amy Jo is an extremely talented acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist! I am so excited to see her in the spot-light for the amazing work that she does!
On a technical note, I would like to add that acupuncture needles are sterile (not sanitary).
Heather Falkenbury, L.Ac. Washington State
Carter, I love this story. I am looking for an acupuncturist to induce labor and get this baby out!
Amy Jo: I have heard so many good things about you and now your mother has shared this article with me. That is so neat what you are doing. I am one of the cancer survivors amongst the YaYas and I am always interested in all natural treatments and cures. My father-in-law(all 90 years of him) actually was sent to acupuncture by his doctor!!!! Neat, huh!!! Have a beautiful day!!!
Amy Jo has so much to offer both as a practitioner and a person. I have had many wonderful treatments by her myself and would strongly recommend Amy Jo. If you have any health concerns, Chinese Medicine is the way to go. Don’t ignore your symptoms, get them corrected at Re-Soul!!
This was a wonderful article about someone near and dear to someone near and dear to me! Loved it and I so hope to be able to see Amy Jo one day soon. I’m one of her Mother’s Ya Yas and also a cancer survivor. I would love to address some health issues of mine with Amy through her specialty one day. I can’t wait!
Prayers for much success to Amy Jo, Shelia Birch
Id to see Amy Jo right away… sounds amazing!