expert type icon EXPERT

Ms. Ellen D. Leonard, L.AC.

Acupuncturist

Dr. Ellen D. Leonard L.AC. is a top Acupuncturist in Grants Pass, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Ellen D. Leonard L.AC. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Ellen D. Leonard L.AC. is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Ellen D. Leonard L.AC. is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Grants Pass, OR, Dr. Ellen D. Leonard L.AC. is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
23 years Experience
Ms. Ellen D. Leonard, L.AC.
  • Grants Pass, OR
  • New England School of Acupuncture
  • Accepting new patients

How long does an acupuncture last usually?

My first treatment usually lasts 1 1/2 hours since I go through their health history with them. Follow ups last an hour. Of course, that may vary, but that's probably what you READ MORE
My first treatment usually lasts 1 1/2 hours since I go through their health history with them. Follow ups last an hour. Of course, that may vary, but that's probably what you can expect. I'd call and ask the office you're going to and ask them so you know for sure.

How is acupuncture an alternative treatment in dentistry?

I have treated dental pain quite a few times, but acupuncture is not a replacement for dental work that needs to be done. It can help with jaw and gum pain, TMJ, and Trigeminal READ MORE
I have treated dental pain quite a few times, but acupuncture is not a replacement for dental work that needs to be done. It can help with jaw and gum pain, TMJ, and Trigeminal neuralgia, but I don't know if it would help the pain of a bad tooth or a cavity, and it's certainly not going to fix tooth or gum disease. But if it's pain that the dentist just can't fix, try acupuncture.

Hope this helps!

How can acupuncture improve blood circulation?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi (energy) moves the blood. So if your qi is stagnated, your circulation can be, as well. Acupuncture helps get your qi moving and READ MORE
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi (energy) moves the blood. So if your qi is stagnated, your circulation can be, as well. Acupuncture helps get your qi moving and balanced so your body can heal itself, and your circulation is improved.

Hope this helps!

Is acupuncture safe during the first trimester?

Acupuncture is safe at any and all stages of pregnancy. We are carefully trained to know how to avoid any injury, and I have treated gals throughout for whatever things they needed, READ MORE
Acupuncture is safe at any and all stages of pregnancy. We are carefully trained to know how to avoid any injury, and I have treated gals throughout for whatever things they needed, including morning sickness, inducing labor, and turning breach babies. So go ahead. Start whenever you would like. You and your baby will be happy you did!

How can acupuncture treat addiction?

I heard someone describe their response to acupuncture for smoking as it made a cigarette seem more like a hamburger than a fillet mignon. I use ear acupuncture for my cessation READ MORE
I heard someone describe their response to acupuncture for smoking as it made a cigarette seem more like a hamburger than a fillet mignon. I use ear acupuncture for my cessation protocol, and some of the points deal with cravings, some with the emotional responses, some with the detox and withdrawal. There are lots of different acupuncture protocols for this, so if one doesn't work for your son, seek out another practitioner and try again.

He's still going to have to exert self control, change up his habits, and stay away from other smokers for a while. But remember, a craving only lasts 3 minutes, so if he can distract himself for 3 minutes, it will pass.

Hope this helps.

How many sessions are needed for weight loss?

I'm not sure I can answer your question. There are ear points that can help with cravings and psychological ups and downs, but the patient must also be actively involved via changes READ MORE
I'm not sure I can answer your question. There are ear points that can help with cravings and psychological ups and downs, but the patient must also be actively involved via changes in diet that are healthful and can be maintained - i.e., not a "diet" per se, but rather a life change. Also, as we get older, exercise plays an ever bigger role in our ability to shed the pounds.

Good luck! Your goal is admirable and attainable!!

If there are any complications of acupuncture, what are they?

A licensed acupuncturist must pass a national board exam, as well as tests for the states in which they are practicing. We are HIGHLY trained in safety, clean needle technique, READ MORE
A licensed acupuncturist must pass a national board exam, as well as tests for the states in which they are practicing. We are HIGHLY trained in safety, clean needle technique, and needling techniques. Acupuncturists are also overseen by other groups - either MDs, the state medical boards, or the acupuncture boards in the state. In order to get malpractice insurance or get paid by health insurance carriers, we have to follow guidelines set by all the insurance companies themselves. The needles are so small and we are so carefully trained in insertion techniques and rules that only a severely negligent or untrained practitioner is likely to do you any harm. Many MDs, physical therapists, and chiropractors do something called dry needling which is basically acupuncture without much training, so I would avoid those folks. But otherwise, I would not worry about your treatments. And, you have a very good chance of getting rid of your migraines and off any meds you may be taking for them. I have several patients who no longer suffer with them.

Hope this helps ease your worries.

Is an achy feeling normal in acupuncture?

If the achy feeling was at the site of the needles, then yes, that is normal. It's called de qui, and Chinese practitioners feel that it's necessary for the treatment to be effective. READ MORE
If the achy feeling was at the site of the needles, then yes, that is normal. It's called de qui, and Chinese practitioners feel that it's necessary for the treatment to be effective. (Japanese style does NOT require that feeling, which it why I prefer to use it on my patients.)

If you mean you felt achy in other parts of your body, it could be that the qi was hitting stagnation points, which is also normal. So not to worry, it's all part of the process.

Can more than one condition be treated in an acupuncture session?

Yes. If you're seeing someone who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM), they will probably put in a few needles for each of your issues. If you're seeing someone who practices READ MORE
Yes. If you're seeing someone who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM), they will probably put in a few needles for each of your issues. If you're seeing someone who practices Japanese style, they will treat the core weakness with just a few needles to cover all your ailments. Either way, yes, you can be treated for more than one thing at a time.

Should I go for dry needling or acupuncture?

I would definitely suggest acupuncture. Other people who do dry needling do so after just a few hours of training, but are using needling techniques that acupuncturists spend READ MORE
I would definitely suggest acupuncture. Other people who do dry needling do so after just a few hours of training, but are using needling techniques that acupuncturists spend many, many hours learning. There are often accidents and injuries when people use this technique without being properly trained.

Does a daith piercing help with migraines?

There is no correlation in auricular acupuncture between migraines and the position of a daith piercing, so I cannot say that it would help from an acupuncture point of view. READ MORE
There is no correlation in auricular acupuncture between migraines and the position of a daith piercing, so I cannot say that it would help from an acupuncture point of view. Having said that, I have had patients tell me that they knew of people for whom the piercing worked, but not them.

I do treat migraines with acupuncture and diet (cutting out aspartame, low inflammatory diet), and herbs, so that might be a more productive direction in which to go.

Can acupuncture aid in autoimmune diseases?

Yes, acupuncture can certainly help you with whatever symptoms you experience going forward. I would also strongly suggest you get on and stay on a gluten free diet as gluten READ MORE
Yes, acupuncture can certainly help you with whatever symptoms you experience going forward. I would also strongly suggest you get on and stay on a gluten free diet as gluten has been directly linked to and exacerbates the inflammatory symptoms of Lupus.

When is acupuncture not recommended?

When talking to new patients about what all acupuncture can be used to treat, I tell them that about the only things I wouldn't treat would be if someone is having a heart attack READ MORE
When talking to new patients about what all acupuncture can be used to treat, I tell them that about the only things I wouldn't treat would be if someone is having a heart attack or their appendix is bursting or they have an untreated compound fracture. I know there are a few acupuncturists who COULD treat those things, I'm just not one of them. So other than those life-threatening internal issues, I can't think of anything for which I wouldn't recommend acupuncture.

Should I get acupuncture for my fibromyalgia?

Acupuncture doesn't just help you cope with the pain of fibromyalgia, it helps eliminate it. So yes, I strongly recommend you seek out an acupuncturist and get a series of treatments. READ MORE
Acupuncture doesn't just help you cope with the pain of fibromyalgia, it helps eliminate it. So yes, I strongly recommend you seek out an acupuncturist and get a series of treatments. You DON'T have to live in that pain.

Can acupuncture cure hypertension?

Yes, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can certainly help with hypertension. Your practitioner would have you work with your MD to wean you off your meds once your blood pressure READ MORE
Yes, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can certainly help with hypertension. Your practitioner would have you work with your MD to wean you off your meds once your blood pressure starts to improve. Diet is also a big part of HBP, and your acupuncturist should be able to counsel you on that, as well. Diet is a huge part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I have numbness after my acupuncture session. What should I do?

It sounds like your acupuncturist was relaxing the tendons, so I would expect those sensations will pass in time. But I would suggest you contact your acupuncturist, give him READ MORE
It sounds like your acupuncturist was relaxing the tendons, so I would expect those sensations will pass in time. But I would suggest you contact your acupuncturist, give him the symptoms, and ask him your questions.

Can acupuncture help in treating my enlarged uterus?

I personally wouldn't know how to treat an enlarged uterus, but there may be an acupuncturist near you who might. Acupuncture can treat just about anything. It's just about how READ MORE
I personally wouldn't know how to treat an enlarged uterus, but there may be an acupuncturist near you who might. Acupuncture can treat just about anything. It's just about how much the practitioner knows.

My son has awful shoulder pain. How can I help him?

I would most certainly take him to an acupuncturist. Shoulder pain is not difficult to treat in most instances. And kids heal and respond very quickly to acupuncture.

How can acupuncture help my lower back pain?

Trying to give an answer as to how acupuncture works is like trying to explain colors using numbers. It's all about balancing energy, and we just don't have an easy way to explain READ MORE
Trying to give an answer as to how acupuncture works is like trying to explain colors using numbers. It's all about balancing energy, and we just don't have an easy way to explain it with western medical terms. Suffice it to say that acupuncture works very, very well on back pain.

As far as what techniques would be used, your practitioner may use a combination of many techniques including needling, moxa, cupping, and gua sha. Every body is different, and every practitioner has their favorite methods. They all work, so I would encourage you to find an acupuncturist nearby so you can get in to see them a couple times a week til you start feeling better. And most insurances are now covering it!

Can acupuncture help with the cold?

Acupuncture by itself can help you get over a cold in a fraction of the time. Your practitioner will probably also have herbs that will help with symptoms and send your cold on READ MORE
Acupuncture by itself can help you get over a cold in a fraction of the time. Your practitioner will probably also have herbs that will help with symptoms and send your cold on its way lickity split.