At a young age, Tabitha Olsen-Bergman was interested in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. With encouragement from her husband, family and friends, she earned her master’s degree in 2016.
She is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Aspen Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. Her history in healthcare began 12 years ago with stints at the Massage Therapy and the Dynamic Healing Center in Alexandria, Minn., certified nursing assistant and home health aide for Eventide in Moorhead, and nurse’s aide at the Fargo Veteran’s Administration hospital.
She offers discounts to veterans. In her Moorhead location, she begins a once-a-month free community clinic for veterans this month. The dates are posted on her website.
In 2013, she began commuting to the Cities for classes while continuing to work at the Fargo VA on weekends. With three children at home, she and her husband decided that it would be best for her to move to the Cities and complete the degree. Her husband continued to work in Fargo, and support her and their three kids, all in school in Bloomington. “This resulted in multiple commutes back and forth over the course of three years, but it was well worth it,” she said.
A licensed acupuncturist maintains and follows standard quality, safety, environmental and infection control policies and procedures. They adhere to local, state and federal laws, and maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses. Tabitha and all licensed acupuncturists complete more than 3,000 hours of training, and take specific state and nationally required boards before performing any treatment.
Acupuncture treatments include the use of sterilized, one-time use fine tipped needles into specific points targeted to the patient’s condition. The treatment plans are not limited to needles alone. Herbal formulas can be prescribed and customized accordingly, working with your body’s own system. Moxibustion therapy or electric stimulation is incorporated into needling treatments. Guasha, TuiNa and cupping are manual treatments targeting specific muscle and fascia groups. Tabitha develops individual treatment plans, strategies and needs to evaluate treatment outcomes, and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
The World Health Organization has a list of diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proven useful as an effective form of treatment. Tabitha agrees with the WHO that acupuncture is a safe and drug free alternative for many health issues.
A “usual” course of treatment includes six to 12 sessions in a three-month period. This timeline varies depending upon individual patients. Plan to spend at least one or two hours at your first visit. During the first visit, a detailed intake is performed and treatment follows. Return visits can be as short as a half hour.
Tabitha practices in two locations: Prairie Naturopathic Building, 1506 30th Ave. S., Moorhead at the north entrance and on Fridays in Detroit Lakes at the DLCCC, 826 Summit Ave. To schedule an appointment you can book online at www.aspenacu.com or call 218.422.5920.
