Health + Wellness

How Long Does Acupuncture take to Work?

Holistic healing often asks for something modern medicine rarely does: time, consistency, and active participation from the patient. Modalities like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are designed not simply to suppress symptoms, but to address the underlying patterns of imbalance within the body. Because of this, the timeline for meaningful change can look very different from what many patients expect.A common guideline in acupuncture is that it may take approximately 10–12 treatments to...

Health + Wellness

Building Beauty and Business:

The Founders of Ageless Rituals Med Spa Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright | Photography by Hannah Schweiss For Dani DuCharme and Colleen Knight, founding Ageless Rituals Med Spa in Frankfort was about more than aesthetics—it was the culmination of decades of passion, experience, and dedication. Dani, influenced by her father’s 45-year legacy running Aurelio’s Pizza, always knew she wanted to build something of her own. “Watching my dad’s work ethic showed me that anything is possible if...

Health + Wellness

Empowering Communication, Every Day

Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright | Photography by Jean Lachat For Star Speech and Myo Therapy owner Dana Ann Hawkins, the path to building a more supportive, accessible speech therapy practice began with a simple but powerful realization: families needed more than reassurance: they needed tools. A speech-language pathologist specializing in early communication, myofunctional therapy, and aural rehabilitation, Dana has spent years working closely with young children and their families. Time...

Health + Wellness

In Sync:

A New Approach to Women’s Wellness Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright | Photography by Chris Moran In an era where women’s health is finally receiving the nuanced attention it deserves, Dr. Lauren Mansell is leading a more integrative, patient-centered approach. As the founder of AcuRehabMed, she brings together physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and acupuncture to treat the body as an interconnected system—rather than a collection of isolated symptoms. At the core of her work is the...

Health + Wellness

Beyond Better Hearing

Article by Kenadee Berry | Photography by Jean Lachat At first, audiology wasn't part of the plan for Dr. Scott Sumrall. His career began in civil engineering, working in project and construction management, until one project shifted everything: contributing to the development of an audiology clinic. Through close collaboration with the audiologists (and continued exposure to the field) he gained a deeper understanding of "the critical role hearing plays in overall quality of life."  That...

Arts + Culture

Game Changers:

Women Who Are Redefining the Rules Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright | Photography by Chris Moran Julianna Slager, Ballet 5:8 Julianna Slager is a choreographer, director, and artistic leader whose work lives at the intersection of art, faith, and storytelling. Through Ballet 5:8, she creates spaces where dance is both excellent and meaningful—inviting audiences into reflection, conversation, and transformation. Her work has been recognized across the arts field, including being named a...

Health + Wellness

Whole Woman Wellness

Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright For Dr. Shannon McMahon, DCM, L.Ac., the path to holistic medicine began with a desire for deeper connection. After a career in environmental engineering, she felt called to help people in a more personal, hands-on way. That realization led her to study acupuncture at Pacific College of Health & Science, where she also discovered a passion for herbal medicine. Today, her work focuses on helping women reconnect with their bodies through Traditional Chinese...

Health + Wellness

Holding Space for Mothers

Article by Nicole Swanberg Wright At Nave Wellness Center in Frankfort, Raven Fisher, LCPC, is creating a space where women feel seen, supported, and understood - especially during the transformative seasons of pregnancy and motherhood. For Raven, the center’s focus on women’s and maternal mental health is rooted in personal experience. As both a woman and a mother, she knows how meaningful it can be when clients feel a sense of shared understanding with their therapist. That connection often...

Health + Wellness

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture

At first glance, dry needling and acupuncture can look nearly identical—both use thin, stainless steel needles inserted into the body to relieve pain. But beneath the surface, these two practices are rooted in entirely different medical philosophies, levels of training, and approaches to healing.As interest in natural and integrative therapies grows, understanding the distinction between these two modalities is more important than ever.Acupuncture is a pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine...

Health + Wellness

Postpartum Care Around the World

In many parts of the world, postpartum care is not treated as a brief recovery period—it is recognized as a foundational window that shapes a woman’s long-term health. Practices rooted in traditional medicine emphasize rest, nourishment, and therapeutic support as essential, not optional. By contrast, the modern approach in the United States often leaves women navigating one of the most physically and emotionally demanding transitions of their lives with minimal structured care.This gap has...