MEET OUR ACUPUNCTURIST
Karyla Gaines, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, Dipl. Ac. is a National Board Certified Acupuncturist and National Certified Counselor (NCCAOM, NCC). She is licensed in the states of South Carolina and New York.
Ms. Gaines decided to become an acupuncturist following her beneficial experience as a patient. As a practicing psychotherapist, she developed an interest in multi-modality treatment models. She found that pain is truly a personal issue, ranging not only in level and tolerance, but also in emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of our being. Through the study of acupuncture, she discovered a system that covers these aspects and treats the patient as an individual, utilizing a biopsychosocial model.
Ms. Gaines graduated from The Citadel graduate program with a Masters of Education in Clinical Counseling. She worked with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the Charleston County Department of Alcohol and Drugs, Brooklyn AIDS Task Force with harm reduction and alternative to violence programs, and in private practice. She decided to continue her education and attended acupuncture school.
Ms. Gaines received a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture Physical Medicine from Tri-State College of Acupuncture, a school famous for its focus on pain management and integrating acupuncture into the medical system. She practices acupuncture physical medicine (APM), the new and unique form of American acupuncture that focuses on the individual’s holding pattern, which often results in pain. Her expertise in releasing these areas helps to reduce pain and improve mobility.
'In April, 2008, Ms. Gaines, was in China, working at several hospitals in Beijing to advance her studies. At the Beijing He Ping Li Hospital, Mei Tan Hospital, the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the Armed Police Force Hospital and Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, she witnessed how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is incorporated into the healthcare system simply as another department of the hospital. In this integrated manner, Oriental medicine in combination with Western medicine, patients receive the best of both worlds. Healing after surgery was quicker, physical therapy was minimal and patients could choose a wider range of methods to resolve their health concerns. '
Ms. Gaines practice is not limited to pain management. She also treats issues acknowledged by NIH. This includes symptoms related to digestive disorders, emotional issues, gynecological disorder, infertility, respiratory problems and other symptoms related to many diseases. If you are wondering if acupuncture can help with your symptoms, call the office at 843-881-3002 to speak with Ms. Gaines.
Professional Organizations
National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
National Board for Certified Counselors
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
American Counsel of Oriental Medicine
