We created this practice in order to live out our dream of healing others through Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
At Prickly Pear, we know the healing power within the body and we work closely with each patient to allow the flow of life energy to restore strength, balance, beauty, and an overall sense of wellness.
We provide concierge-level care to our patients at both our Arcadia office as well as at Babymoon Inn in Central Phoenix. In addition, we facilitate events at local yoga studios combining acupuncture with yoga and sound healing.
We're invested in your complete wellness journey.
Irin
Irin White is a Phoenix Native. She grew up in Arcadia and graduated from Xavier College Preparatory before continuing on to the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from which she earned both a Bachelors degree in Health Science and a Masters degree in Oriental Medicine. She is Nationally Board Certified as a Diplomat of Acupuncture through NCCAOM and licensed with the state of Arizona. In addition, Irin is certified by National Acu Detox Association (NADA) as well as for Facial and Cosmetic Acupuncture. She has studied under numerous published and internationally renowned professionals including Michelle Gellis L.Ac., leading acupuncturist in the field of cosmetic acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, and neuromuscular facial disorders.
Irin specializes in providing comprehensive family care, prenatal and postnatal support, facial & cosmetic acupuncture, and esoteric acupuncture.
"I do this work because I know I’m put on this planet to help lighten the energy and help people heal. I’m gifted with the ability to hold space for people’s healing. My powerful expectation of people’s wellness creates the space for them to step into it. I love being part of someone’s healing journey. I love providing relief and positive outcomes in pregnancies and health journeys." - Irin
Peter
Peter White, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and 13 year Navy Marine Corps Veteran. Peter graduated from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with Masters degree in Oriental Medicine. Peter is Nationally Board Certified as a Diplomat of Acupuncture through NCCAOM and Licensed with the State of Arizona and certified in Detox Acupuncture. He also volunteers with local VFWs providing veterans complementary treatments.
Peter specializes in working with Veterans seeking treatment for general wellness, chronic pain, sports injury healing, and autoimmune disorders.
"I do this work because I know and believe in the knowledge passed down from thousands of years and the energy that comes with it is real and attainable for everyone. I am a veteran who has learned and benefitted from Chinese medicine and I strive to empower other veterans to want the same feeling of great health." -Peter
Our Philosophy
We utilize the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is rooted in the philosophy of yin & yang and the five elements. Yin is the structure of the body including bones, muscles, connective tissue, body fluid, and blood. Yang is the physiological phenomena in the body which you don’t have to think about: digesting, blinking, yawning, pumping the heart muscle.
Licensed acupuncturists (that's us!) look at each patient as a whole and will base our treatment on tongue and pulse diagnosis as well as a full health history and evaluation. We gather and analyze information to determine the balance of the bodies yin (structure) and yang (function) and know that while two people can have the same Western medicine diagnosis yet have two different diagnoses in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It is our aim to provide you with the most individualized care plan possible.
After our assessment, we place needles in points along your meridians based on presentation and pathology. It is common to have needles in your head, arms, hands, legs or feet. The sensations you may feel range from nothing, to a zing of energy, a pinch, or gripping/tightening sensation around the needle. That zing of energy is called De Qi and it’s like hitting the jackpot!
We are always willing to adjust the needles to ease any discomfort! No treatment should be so uncomfortable that you can’t relax.
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What kind of training does a licensed acupuncturist have?We believe that everyone should have access to safe and effective providers, which is why we--Irin and Peter--have been studied with some of the best and continue to expand our repertoire of skills, knowledge, and services available to you. Licensed acupuncturists hold a masters degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine Over 3000 credit hours of study equivalent to four years and over 900 hours of clinical internship over two years Certified in Clean Needle Technique Passed National Board Exams Nationally Board Certified as a Diplomat of Acupuncture or Diplomat of Oriental Medicine Licensed by the Arizona Board of Acupuncture Required to complete CEUs to maintain National Certification and State Licensure
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How does acupuncture really work?Acupuncture points are located along Meridians or Channel pathways (highways) that correspond to internal organs. They transport qi, warm the body, and work on your behalf to maintain homeostasis by conserving when necessary and distributing as necessary. Each meridian contains connecting vessels that start along the channel and connect with other channels and different areas in the body. Not all acupuncture points lie on meridians. There are over 100 extra points on the body, such as Yu Yao on the eye brow and Xiyan for knee pain. Ashi points are what acupuncturists call personalized points used for local pain and healing to stimulate myofascial and connective tissue release, ease muscular pain, and manage of neuromusculoskeletal pain and facillitate movement impairment. These points are found upon gentle palpation.
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Explain Yin & Yang to meOf course! Yin is the structure of the body including bones, muscles, connective tissue, body fluid, and blood. Yang is the physiological phenomena in the body which you don’t have to think about such as digestion, blinking, yawning, and pumping the heart muscle. Based on symptoms, tongue and pulse diagnosis, we determine a pattern and choose acupuncture points accordingly.
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So, what’s the deal with the needles?Acupuncture needles are single use sterile filiform needles that come in an array of sizes – in width and length. Different practitioners use different needles depending on what and how they treat. All acupuncturists have their own style and training. We prefer to use the butterfly needle of acupuncture, called Japanese Style Seriens
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WHAT PATIENTS SAY
"I met Pete in a networking group where Pete and I bonded over our Navy experience. Pete was a Navy Corpsman and did trauma triage. Now Pete practices Eastern Medicine. I have been battling chronic foot pain for over 25 years. After my first session with Pete I am feeling better, but intend to continue with acupuncture and other Eastern Medicine methods until I can return to full energy levels. Pete and Prickly Pear are a great arrow in your health care quiver. Pete even makes house calls. I highly recommend giving Eastern Medicine a try and recommend Prickly Pear."