Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The history of acupuncture goes back over 3,000 years. In recent decades, its popularity has grown worldwide. The first documentation of acupuncture that described it as an organized system of diagnosis and treatment is recorded in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, from 100 BC.

Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, located at 31 S. Trade St. in Tryon, stands as more proof of the growing popularity of this specific therapeutic technique of Chinese medicine. Licensed Acupuncturist Candice Behan, the owner and operator of Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, describes acupuncture as being the “last resort with the best results” for anyone dealing with chronic pain, migraines, and other common disorders. 

In addition to acupuncture, the recently renovated facility offers massage, facials, and herbs used for general wellness.

Candice came to Tryon from South Florida by way of Ireland, where she lived for several years with her husband, Simon. She’s been an acupuncturist for 12 years, and is also a licensed herbalist. Candice had originally looked into opening a shop in Asheville. Her parents live in the area, and Behan began working temporarily in Tryon while getting settled. She really liked it and didn’t relish commuting to Asheville daily, so in 2018 she set up shop on N. Trade St. in Tryon. Recently, she moved from one end of Trade St. to the other after purchasing and refurbishing the new location.

“I was going to an acupuncturist myself and asking a lot of questions, “Behan says when asked how she got into the field. “My acupuncturist suggested, I attend the local college where he was the head of the department.

Part of the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles, which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation. Practitioners use numerous acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow, qi (pronounced ‘chee’). Applying acupuncture to specific points helps to improve the flow of qi.

A first-time visit always begins with a consultation to understand a patient’s specific problems or goals. At the detailed sit-down, Behan will discuss whether acupuncture is a good fit for someone who is interested in the services. 

“The one thing I wish more people knew about acupuncture is how much it can treat. It’s a versatile medicine,” says Behan. “It’s designed to treat many things and treat them successfully. We practice a holistic approach here. The word holistic means dealing with the whole. From this definition, we understand holistic medicine involves the wellness of the whole person.”

Even Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, took a holistic approach to treat disease, encouraged self-healing of the body. The holistic approach of Clover is highlighted by their team, that also features Licensed Esthetician Kellie Byron, Licensed Massage & Body Work Therapist Kim Engle, and Office Manager Kelly Thompson, who is likely to be the first voice many customers will hear when they call to make an appointment. 

Byron provides services focused on skin care, including skin treatments, facials, makeup application and hair removal. She individually tailors to each client’s needs and goals. 

Engle provides massage therapy that can address various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia or heart disease, depending on the type of massage. Massage therapists typically focus on the muscles, whereas a bodyworker’s primary goal is to improve the body’s skeletal structure, alignment and energy flow.

“I love the experience of working with the clients and being able to come to work in such a calm relaxing environment with a wonderful boss like Candice,” says Thompson. 

Clover Acupuncture and Wellness also offers essential oils, Chinese herbal medicine, and CBD products. 

“Holistic medicine is about treating the whole body. Chinese medicine wants to know why those specific areas give a patient problems by looking at the body as a whole,” adds Behan. “There is almost nothing Chinese medicine can’t address. If you are dealing with some kind of discomfort, you should consider trying acupuncture. We are usually the last resort when someone is dealing with chronic pain, but we have some of the best results. Chinese medicine asks questions to help solve the problem, where, what, how, and why. Acupuncture works well when no one can figure out the problem. It gives a different perspective.”

Clover’s recently refurbished facility offers a calm and beautiful environment, with renovations done by Greg Junge Construction. They kept the classic ceiling in the building while adding multiple examination rooms and creating a stunning decor, filled with aloe plants and natural light. 

For more information on Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, visit cloveracupuncture.com. For an appointment, call (828) 817-9883. Its operating hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.