Valley Health Clinic
Healthcare professionals with your best interests at heart.
Willard Sheppy
Dipl. OM, LAc, BS
Will Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) specialized in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.
Comfortable treatments, excellent results
His patients have told us time and again how impressed they are with both the effectiveness of his treatments and his personable and straightforward professional style. Will is a great listener, and he has a knack for explaining his treatment methods in a way that makes his patients feel both well informed and comfortable.
Trained at the #1 acupuncture school in the U.S.
After earning his bachelor of science in Environmental Science at Oregon State University, Will completed a three-year master’s degree program in Acupuncture at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, the oldest and most respected acupuncture school in the United States.
Specializing in sports acupuncture
Driven by a lifelong passion for sports, Will has always taken the opportunity to provide care for athletes participating in swimming, martial arts, and triathlons on both state and national levels. He also studied sports acupuncture under Reeves Whitfield and Matt Callison, two of the most celebrated and respected teachers in the field.
Dedicated to continued professional development
The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has acknowledged his constant commitment to continual professional growth with the title of Diplomate. With his combination of quality education and dedication, Will Sheppy is an ideal practitioner to have on your team as you move toward optimal health and athletic performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have the answers to the most asked questions by our patients. If you have more questions, please contact us.
- What does acupuncture feel like?
- What is acupuncture?
- How does acupuncture work?
- What is herbal medicine?
- What types of bodywork do you practice?
- What is cupping?
- What is Gua Sha?
- What is Ah Shi or Dry Needling?
- What is Electro Acupuncture
- What should I expect on my first visit?
- Will my insurance cover my treatment?
What does acupuncture feel like?
Our practitioners are dedicated to making acupuncture a comfortable and beneficial experience for all patients. Most of our patients find acupuncture to be very relaxing. Acupuncture needles are about as thin as a human hair, and feel completely different from the thicker, hollow needles on syringes doctors use to give shots or draw blood. Some patients notice a small pinch when an acupuncture needle is inserted, or a dull, heavy, or warm sensation for a while after insertion. These are quite common and disappear soon after the needles are inserted. If you do experience any discomfort let us know and we will adjust the treatment to a more comfortable.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is not only the oldest continuously practiced medicine in the world, but is also evidence based, time-tested, and supported by both ancient and modern sciences. The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture for the treatment of over 40 different health complications including: chronic pain, migraines, digestive disorders, arthritis, allergies, depression, the common cold, and stress.
How does acupuncture work?
Put simply, acupuncturists insert very thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate and strengthen muscles and bolster the body’s innate healing capacities. Your body may respond by increasing blood circulation, releasing endorphins, and/or regulating your nervous system. All of these reactions help to create and maintain a state in which the body can function optimally and activate healing processes.
What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine means using specific plants (or parts or extracts of plants) to treat or alleviate health issues. It is one of the most commonly used forms of natural medicine in the U.S., and modern clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of many herbal remedies.
Depending on the individual patient, our practitioners at Valley Health Clinic may include herbal medicine as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Will Sheppy often complements acupuncture treatments with a traditional Chinese herbal formula for faster results.
All these types of herbal medicines are simple, natural, and affordable ways for you as a patient to continue your care in between appointments.
What types of bodywork do you practice?
What is cupping?
Cupping is an effective way to improve soft tissue in condition when tradition pressure like massage may be aggravating. The practice of cupping has been used for thousands of years and continues to be a common medical intervention in traditional Chinese medicine. Cupping involves creating a negative pressure inside the cup which lifts and separates the tissue underneath the cup. This releases and loosens up the interfaces between the soft-tissues such as skin, fascia, neural tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons Sometime the cup is left still over a particularly tight muscle or moved around to further assist tissue stimulation.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is an Asian healing art technique that involves stroking across the skin with a smooth edge. Traditionally, it would be the edge of a ceramic spoon; modern tools may look a bit different. Our practitioners may include Gua Sha in a treatment plan to reduce inflammation, restore your immune system, or reduce acute or chronic pain. You can see the technique in action in this video testimonial from a patient who used to suffer from migraines before her treatments at Valley Health Clinic.
What is Ah Shi or Dry Needling?
Ah shi means ‘the tender point’ in Chinese, and is also known under the name Dry Needling. This technique is used to release tight bands in the muscles that are associated with a trigger point, or hard “knots”. These knots can be very painful and can make it difficult to move and perform physical activities. Dry needling can help to reduce muscle tension, manage pain, and accelerate your return to regular activities.
What is Electro Acupuncture?
As in traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted into specific points along the body. These needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. This stimulation releases endogenous opiates called enkephalins which are amazing natural pain killers. They also have an anti-spasmodic effect that relaxes soft tissues. The ionic current increases micro-stimulation, reduces inflammation, and accelerates the healing process.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Most importantly you can expect to be heard and welcomed as a human being, not just as a set of symptoms. Our practitioners will ask you detailed questions about your health history and your desired treatment outcomes, and then perform a thorough physical exam. He or she might feel your pulse at the wrist, look at the color of your tongue, or press gently on your abdomen.
With all this information in mind, they will propose a treatment plan to you, and begin your first treatment. You may receive acupuncture, bodywork, and/or an herbal formula to take home.
Throughout the visit, you will have the opportunity to ask your practitioner any questions you may have. Most of our patients leave after their first visit feeling very relaxed and positive about their treatment. If you are receiving an acupuncture treatment at your first visit, we recommend you have a small snack beforehand. Wear comfortable clothes that can be rolled up past your knees and elbows, or bring some with you to change into in the changing room available at the clinic.
If your treatment requires your back or stomach to be exposed, your practitioner will drape you with a sheet for your comfort and privacy. If you have any further questions you’d like answered before you book your appointment, please feel free to contact us anytime.
Will my insurance cover my treatment?
Because our services are recognized as effective and evidence-based, they are often covered by insurance. Coverage varies from policy to policy. If you’d like our help in confirming your benefits, please feel free to give us a call at (541) 760-9670.
Understanding Sports Acupuncture
Have you ever told yourself, “I’m just getting old, so I can’t work out like I used to?”
Pain relief is enough for most people, but athletes expect more than that. For you, pain relief is just a beginning. What you seek is to minimize the potential for future injuries and improve your level of good health to maximize performance.
Acupuncture can help all athletes, from so-called weekend warriors to the dedicated professional. We can enhance performance, prevent injuries and improve recovery from overtraining.
Speed, Agility & Injury Prevention Coaching for Young Athletes
The same training that develops young athletes’ ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction quickly also helps prevent injury, so they can stay in the game well into adulthood. While coaches and parents want their kids to stay injury-free, young athletes love the idea of learning to run faster, as this kind of training is rarely part of their routines.
Inspired by his passion for sports and his commitment to effective preventative care, Valley Health Clinic’s Will Sheppy is offering customized, evidence-based coaching sessions for athletes and sports teams.
