Get to Know Dr. Allyson Cook, Licensed Acupuncturist
Getting to know Dr. Allyson Cook, L.Ac.
We got together with Allyson to learn more about her and share with you
How did you find acupuncture as a career?
I first experienced acupuncture in my early 20’s after being diagnosed with PCOS. I didn’t respond well to metformin, and began to explore other ways to balance my hormones, primarily through nutrition and lifestyle modifications. I decided to try acupuncture to see if it could help. After my first treatment, I felt a profound shift, sensed the power of this medicine, and became curious.
I knew I wanted to pursue a career in a health-related field, and initially went back to school for nutrition science. During this time, I began reading Paul Pitchford’s book, Healing with Whole Foods, which integrates modern nutrition research with East Asian lifestyle and dietary principles. The more I learned about this perspective, the more it felt aligned with my life’s direction, and I decided to pursue acupuncture as a career.
Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture
You’ve been practicing Dr. Zhu’s scalp acupuncture. What are you most surprised or intrigued by when using this method?
I think Zhu’s scalp acupuncture has so much to offer. I use it in my work with post-stroke rehabilitation, concussion and neurological conditions, but have found it to be helpful in a variety of applications, including various psychological and pain conditions.
My favorite way to use it is in combination with dao yin. I place the needles into the scalp and gently manipulate them while the patient performs a variety of movements or exercises. We can often experience immediate changes and improvement in the patient’s condition. It’s amazing to get immediate feedback from the body in real time.
What is your favorite acupuncture point and why?
I have so many favorite points! Two that I really resonate with are GB-41 and KD-26.
I like to think of GB-41 as releasing the steam out of a pressure cooker. This point does so many things, but I like to think of it as a way of clearing away the old to make way for what is to come. It can really help to open up energy that is stuck, and aid in processing and metabolizing trauma.
KD-26 has the quality of opening up the heart. I’ve found it helps to brighten one’s outlook, find greater alignment, a deeper sense of connection to the natural world and that which is greater than ourselves. As Neil Gumenick puts it, “When one sees through the eyes of spirit, one sees beauty, elegance, and the perfection of natural law – the Divine manifesting in everything.”
What is your favorite Chinese herb and why?
It depends what I’m treating. I fall more in love with herbs the more I use and explore them.
This time of year, I’m seeing a lot of viral and respiratory illnesses. A helpful herb is ban lan gen, a powerful anti-microbial and anti-viral herb that helps tremendously with sore throats. I often recommend gargling with salt water and drinking Ban Lan Gen tea at the onset of throat scratchiness or soreness to stave off infection.
I also love long yan rou, which can help to nourish the blood. It’s great for issues related to overthinking and overwork. I like to steep it in hot water before bed after a long day.
I would be remiss not to mention turmeric and ginger (jiang huang and sheng jiang, respectively). I love to peel the fresh roots, pulverize and make an infusion with fresh black pepper and fresh lemon juice. These rhizomes have so many health benefits — they warm and stimulate digestion, are anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, improve circulation and benefit the immune system. My constitution is a bit cold, so I love how warming this is. In warmer months, I’ll drink it room temperature with some sparkling water. If my hands are stained orange when you see me, this is the cause.
Being a fertility acupuncturist is an important niche, how did you decide to specialize?
My deep affinity for healing came from my own struggle with my hormones and reproductive health, along with processing all of the difficult emotions surrounding my diagnosis. My own healing journey has inspired me to work with others who are looking to explore ways to heal and connect more deeply with their bodies, and to feel empowered as we work together to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Yoga is a big part of your life. Tell us about your practice!
I have been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching for 10. Yoga helped me to feel connected to my body for the first time in my life, and to understand how the breath can regulate the nervous system. Before yoga, I was afraid of exercise and my body; yoga helped me to feel embodied and strong, and it has profoundly impacted my life.
My yoga practice laid the foundation for my passion for movement and also my career as an acupuncturist. My interest in bioenergetics put me on the path to studying acupuncture. My practice and classes often integrate traditional yoga postures and breath work with mobility, somatic work, fascial maneuvers and qi gong. Of course, I’m often thinking about the channels, in connection with the seasons, and finding ways of stretching and opening certain channels at certain times of the year.
Nutrition and lifestyle support with an East Asian medicine lens is an important part of what you have to offer your clients. How does this show up in your daily life?
I was drawn to this medicine for its holistic approach and how it acknowledges our complexities, allowing us to be seen as whole people, made up of interconnected parts and systems. Our health is in many ways determined by our daily habits: the quality of our nutrition, regular movement, quality sleep, our emotional states, time spent outdoors or in nature, our thoughts, social connection, and how we manage and cope with stress. Becoming aware of how our lifestyle impacts our overall health is the first step in realizing how we can make simple changes and explore ways to improve our wellbeing and invite in the habits that bring us more joy and a greater sense of wellbeing.
Nutrition is a huge part of my life. I think food can be incredibly healing, and treat it as medicine. I love learning about nutrition, both from an East Asian perspective, and also from the standpoint of modern scientific research. I’m always happy to discuss nutrition with clients — food is such a powerful way to leverage our health, balance hormones, and improve our energy and mood.
East Asian traditions emphasize the importance of living in alignment with nature, observing natural cycles and seasons, how our bodies are a microsystem of the natural world and are deeply connected to our environment. Having a dog makes it essential to get outside and walk throughout the day, which is a habit I cherish and am grateful for. In my free time, I enjoy getting out into nature to hike, trail run or camp whenever I can to ground, recharge, connect and find peace.