Alice Spitzner Claussen, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M.
Hi! I’m Alice. I am a lifelong learner and Licensed Acupuncturist.
The title Acupuncturist has always seemed a bit of a misnomer, since Chinese Medicine is so much more than acupuncture. Chinese Medicine sees the body as a microcosm of the world we live in, that we are an interconnected with the Earth: as above so below.
The depth and complexity of Chinese Medicine is what drew me to study and practice it, as I figured it would keep me challenged for a lifetime. (Careful what you wish for!)
I hold a BS in Biology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (94). My Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM 03) is from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, CO (now closed).
I opened Twig & Needle Chinese Medicine in September of 2003 in Johnson County, IA.
My post-graduate professional development includes a two year graduate mentorship with Sharon Weizenbaum (2014-16), Master Face Reading Training from the Lotus Institute (Lillian Bridges, 2020-2022, Certification in 2023), Alchemical Healing Certification (2023) from Lorie Eve Dechar and Benjamin Fox, and an ongoing mentor-mentee relationship with Christine Cannon.
After more than 20 years in practice, I believe:
I do no direct healing. I am a catalyst to help your body heal itself.
My patients are not broken. There is nothing “wrong” with them. They do not need fixing.
The body is always striving to do the best it can with the resources it has. Your body is NOT out to get you.
Our bodies are untapped sources of wisdom. Our physical bodies are our connection to the natural world and they are constantly trying to communicate with us in the form of intuition and bodily sensation.
You are the expert on your body.