Dr. Christine Yastrzemski, an NCCAOM board-certified acupuncture physician and founder/owner of A Way of Life Acupuncture PLLC, in Jacksonville, began her journey as an integrative wellness practitioner after discovering that acupuncture helped her find relief from the debilitating migraines she was experiencing while working in corporate America.  

“My curiosity in trying to understand how acupuncture helped my migraines led me to years of reading everything I could about acupuncture to try to understand how it works,” shares Yastrzemski. “After three years of self-study, I decided to leave a successful corporate job to return to school for my master’s in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. I am passionate about helping others find relief from whatever ails them.” 

Yastrzemski graduated in 2006 from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine after completing a four-year training program to receive her master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Bachelor of Health Sciences. Prior to returning to school for acupuncture, Yastrzemski received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Florida. She is currently enrolled at Pacific College of Health Sciences pursuing her doctorate degree in Acupuncture andChinese Medicine. She is also taking CranioSacral Therapy (CST) classes at the Upledger Institute. 

Yastrzemski is licensed in the state of Florida by the Department of Health and is recognized as a primary care physician. In addition, she is a nationally board-certified acupuncture physician by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and has been certified by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for acupuncture for cancer patients and advanced acupuncture for cancer patients.  

“I have extensive training and experience in various styles of acupuncture, Eastern and Western herbs, tai chi/chi kung, aromatherapy, acupuncture point injection therapy, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, CranioSacral Therapy and other modalities,” says Yastrzemski. She is highly trained in the latest methods out of China, as well as various ancient methods, and integrates both into her practice. Yastrzemski specializes in acute/chronic injuries, sports injuries and cancer therapy. Each treatment utilizes her experience and various styles, giving the patient a personalized, tailored and effective treatment.  

Yastrzemski has worked with every type of patient, from athletes to stay-at-home mothers, all of whom have received relief from the benefits of acupuncture and her personalized treatments. “I am passionate about alternative medicine and hope to encourage others to try alternative medicine and incorporate a more natural approach into their normal healthcare routine,” shares Yastrzemski.  

 With her recent training in CST, Yastrzemski combines the benefits of acupuncture with CST, giving the patient a stronger response to both therapies with better outcomes. “CST is a gentle technique that releases deep tensions in the body,” explains Yastrzemski. “By using a very soft touch, no greater than 5 grams, practitioners are able to release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system.” 

As was the case with acupuncture, it was her own health that led Yastrzemski to seek out CST. “I decided to give CST a try as I was having pain in my neck that would not release with either acupuncture or massage therapy. I could feel the tension along the spine and needed something to help release it. After having two sessions from a CST practitioner, my neck pain had eased up completely. I returned once a week for a few more weeks and while talking with the practitioner about CST, I became fascinated at how something so gentle could be so effective.” 

Adds Yastrzemski: “I decided I would look into taking classes so I might be able to add an extra option for patients who come to see me for acupuncture. While attending the first class, I realized how acupuncture and CST blend very well together and decided to combine the two at my office for treatments. Being able to open the body up energetically with acupuncture, then applying the gentle touch of CST has given patients tremendous results. I look forward to continuing my learning of the different levels of CST at Upledger Institute.”  

A Way of Life Acupuncture is located at 4337 Pablo Oaks Ct., Bldg. 200, in Jacksonville. For more information, call 904-373-8415 or visit AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com.