Ms. Beverly Lawrence, Ph.D, L.Ac

Acupuncturist

989 S Main St Suite A431 Cottonwood AZ, 86326 Show map

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About

Dr. Beverly Lawrence is a licensed acupuncturist practicing in Cottonwood, AZ. She evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history, looking at the tongue and various other areas of the body, as well as using the pulses to feel the health of the internal organs. Very thin acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body to affect the desired healing changes in the body. Many of the body's systems respond to acupuncture, and it can treat physical pain, emotional stress, and many other health conditions.

There are also other adjunct therapies or modalities such as cupping, gua sha (aka scraping), tui na (TCM massage), herbs, essential oils, flower essences, sound therapies, color therapies, bio-mat, TDP lamp (Far Infrared), and so on that are added to the treatment to comprise the full medical treatment at the healing center.

Specialties include pain management, neuropathy, migraines, stress management as well as PTSD, and Addiction treatments using the NADA protocol. She is an Acupuncture Diplomate with NCCCAOM since January 2010.

Dr. Beverly is a certified medical hypnotherapist, certified in Colorpuncture(R), and an Acutonic(R) Sound Healing Practitioner. see https://DrBeverlyLawrence.com for more information about Dr. Beverly and her various other practices.

Education and Training

Functional Medicine University in progress 2021

PIHMA MAc 2008

SCNM N/A 2006

Mesa Community College AA focus on Science 2004

UMS BMS and MMS 2016

UMS PhD 2017

U of San Francisco BS 1982

College of San Mateo AA Computer Science 1974

Board Certification

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Provider Details

FemaleEnglish

Ms. Beverly Lawrence, Ph.D, L.Ac

Ms. Beverly Lawrence, Ph.D, L.Ac's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What can be done for my chronic back pain?
Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is great for low back pain (LBP). First, the cause must be determined. There are many causes from trauma, organ issues, channel issues, intestinal issues, emotional issues, and the list goes on. With TCM we treat the whole body and not just the symptoms. Clearly, you want the pain to stop but you also do not want it to return. There are many tools that an acupuncturist may use depending on the severity, cause, and how long the condition has existed. This may include acupuncture, heat, herbs, e-stim, cupping, Gua Sha ( scraping), Tui Na (Chinese massage), and other therapies depending on the acupuncturist's training. Occasionally the patient may also need the services of a chiropractor when there are spine alignment issues. READ MORE
What type of acupuncture is best for sciatica?
All acupuncturists are trained to treat pain conditions. Just make sure they have L.Ac. after their name. There are other practitioners who are not fully trained but their board allows them to use acupuncture needles. Unfortunately, they are not fully trained. The WHO requires at least 1800 hours of training but many other practitioners only have 30-100 hours of training. Some Naturopaths have about 300 hours of training. So make sure they have L.Ac. after their name to ensure they have the full 1800 hour minimum of training. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help with disc hernia pain?
The short answer is yes. First the spine must be stretched out to try and pull the herniated disc back in pace as much as possible. For this you many need a Physical Therapist or a Chiropractor. They have the proper equipment to do this. Then use acupuncture with herbs. The acupuncture will reduce the pain, combine with elector stimulation to help the nerves, and the herbs to nourish the disc. The discs flatten with age which causes the herniation. The herbs will send more blood to the area and the disc will regain some of its fluid volume and them stay in place easier. READ MORE
Pain during acupuncture
There are a number of reasons that acupuncture can hurt. The first is that the person is dehydrated. Make sure he drinks at least 8 ounces of water before going to the acupuncturist (no soda or coffee or anything with caffeine as it dehydrates people). Also make sure he has proper electrolytes. Another reason is fibromyalgia (FMS). Trauma can sometimes bring this on. It would take too much to explain FMS here – he would require a change of diet and boost his immune system. It is curable. Finally, it is completely emotional. When the skin breaks out it can be either Wood or Air elements which represent anger or grief respectively. My guess would be anger. Wood is the Liver Gallbladder. Does he drink or do any drugs? Has he had any therapy to deal with the accident. Many times an accident can cause PTSD. He may need help with this. Without actually seeing the person and doing a tongue and pulse diagnosis it is impossible to tell the real underlying cause but 80% of the time there is always a significant emotional element to all conditions. Deal with the emotions first and sometimes the physical issues just go away. READ MORE
Is acupuncture good for restless leg syndrome?
Yes, RLS can be treated once the underlying cause is determined. Generally, is it a dietary deficiency, frequently magnesium but there can be other causes. There is an herbal formula I prescribe for this that usually helps, Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang or Chinese Peony & Licorice. Because it only has two ingredients most people can take the formula even when they are on various medications that would be contraindicated with herbs. That said, I once had a patient come in with RLS and I immediately knew it was Parkinsons and referred him back to his primary care physician. This condition may be helped with acupuncture, but it can only be diagnosed and treated with Western medicine. This is why getting a professional diagnosis is always important. READ MORE
How often should you get acupuncture for leg pain?
With Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) of which acupuncture is one treatment style we use out of many, we treat the whole person and not just the symptom. Western medicine would just give you a painkiller and not treat the underlying condition. We would look at the cause of the pain and there are many possibilities. What part of the leg (which side, intensity, character, how long it has hurt, is it constant or intermittent…)? We also look at other symptoms. Just treating the pain will not fix it. We easily treat pain, that is easy, but we do not want the pain to come back so we need to identify the underlying cause and also treat that. With leg pain, there are a myriad of conditions that can cause the pain, including nerve damage or even hip alignment. Sometimes the patient also needs to see a chiropractor to get the spine and bones properly aligned. Depending on the side of the leg and the depth of the pain (skin level, muscle level, nerve level, etc., will determine which channel or Meridian is affected. It may just be a block in the channel. The short answer is yes, usually. READ MORE
How can acupuncture help headaches?
People are well trained by Western medicine to only think of symptoms since all it does is suppress symptoms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that most people just call acupuncture, we look at the underlying cause of the problem. A headache can have many causes. Some insignificant to extremely serious. In most cases, TCM (which includes many different procedures including acupuncture and herbs) will treat the cause of headaches to eliminate them. In very serious cases we may need to refer you to a Medical professional. So, the answer is it depends. In all cases, acupuncture can facilitate any medical procedures that may be required in serious cases. READ MORE
Can you help with chronic headaches?
Chronic headache is just a symptom. We would need to determine the underlying cause and treat that. Otherwise, the headaches will just keep coming back. There are many reasons for having headaches from simple things like allergies to very complex and serious things like a brain tumor. I would suggest you get a diagnosis right away. Acupuncture can certainly make the headache go away, but it will not last until the underlying cause is determined and healed. An acupuncturist can do a diagnosis and if it is very serious, they will refer you to the appropriate medical professional. If it is something we can treat, Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat many conditions, then they will work on relieving the pain and also treat the underlying cause of the headache at the same time. READ MORE
How successful is acupuncture for infertility?
In my experience, it is very successful. It may take a few treatments but generally, it works well. It is also great immediately before and immediately after invitro fertilization to ensure that it is successful. There are statistics showing its efficacy. It is best when both parties are treated and not just the female. READ MORE
How can you help with allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is a symptom. With TCM we treat the whole person. We would need to look at the underlying condition that allows allergic rhinitis to occur. Acupuncture can lessen the symptoms but the underlying condition must also be treated or the symptoms will not go away permanently. There can be many underlying reasons for this condition. An acupuncturist will have to do a proper diagnosis and analysis to know how best to treat the condition. READ MORE
Does acupressure help nerve pain?
Acupressure may help to relieve pain temporarily, but it is not a long-term solution but a temporary stopgap until a full acupuncture treatment is available. Acupuncture is only one type of modality that acupuncturists use. Frequently we use other treatment styles with acupuncture, called layering for our treatments. For nerve pain e-Stim, or microcurrent may also be needed. This is frequently the case with nerve pain. It depends on the type of nerve, the location, how long the pain has been there, as well as the underlying cause as to the exact treatments that may be needed. READ MORE
Is acupuncture effective for insomnia?
Definitely, acupuncture can help with insomnia. First, we need to determine the underlying cause. Many times, it is just stress but frequently there may be other causes. Some causes can be environmental, life style, or diet related. Occasionally there may be an underlying health issue or a need to detoxify the body. We would treat the underlying cause, make recommendations if there are external aggravating factors, and make any suggestions related to diet. We would also use acupuncture points that are known to help people sleep in general. In some cases, herbs may be prescribed to be used on occasion when getting to sleep is difficult, this frequently happens at times of high stress. READ MORE
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for muscle pain?
As will all pain, it depends on the cause. From over work, one treatment and some rest. If it is sprained or over stretched, it takes much longer. If it is nerve pain, then the cause of the nerve impingement must also be fixed. If the pain is due to either organ or channel issues, then it depends on what is causing it and how long it will take to resolve the issue. For example, shoulder pain, especially right shoulder or even frozen shoulder, is frequently caused by liver issues. It takes time to fix the lever and usually requires lifestyle and diet changes as well. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), of which acupuncture is only one part, treats the whole person, not just the symptoms. You did not indicate which muscle, how long it has been hurting, or if you know the cause (trauma, sudden onset, slowly getting worse, and many other factors). All of this information needs to be collected in order to properly diagnose and treat any pain or condition. READ MORE
Soreness in hands and feet from Acupuncture
The first question is the term “licensed professional”. Was this an L.Ac., Licensed acupuncturist, or someone else? The acupuncturist should have immediately treated the numbness from the treatment, at least I would have. Second, six weeks is way too long. You need e-stim to fix the numbness, the longer you wait the worse the prognosis. It sounds as if the needle hit a nerve. This happens and can easily be fixed if treated right away. If you went to a licensed acupuncturist, then call them back and go in to get it fixed. If it was not a licensed acupuncturist then contact one and get it fixed right away. READ MORE
Acupuncture in neck and feeling dizzy after
This is not normal. You should have immediately reported this to the acupuncturist so they could fix it for you. Call now and go back. Acupuncture moves the energy in the body. It gets “stuck”, we call it blockages. We clear the block and move the energy. Clearly, you had more than one blockage and that just needs to also be cleared. Only two needles for the treatment indicates to me that you did not go to an actual acupuncturist. Licensed acupuncturists that are fully trained will have L.Ac. after their name. Frequently MDs, DCs, and PTs in some states will also do acupuncture. They have only limited training. If this is the case call a licensed acupuncturist and they can clear the block and help with the dizziness. With acupuncture we treat the symptoms and the underlying cause. This will always take more than 2 needles. Only in rare cases would I only use a couple of needles on a patient, four at a minimum. READ MORE
Is acupuncture good for gastritis?
With Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in which acupuncture is only one of the modalities we use, can treat almost everything that Western Medicine treats. For emergencies or life threatening conditions I suggest Western medicine first then TCM for recovery. So, the sort answer is yes. The long answer is that in TCM we look at the whole person and treat the underlying cause and not just the symptoms. Why do you have gastritis? Is it diet, emotions, lifestyle, or other causes. You may need to change your diet, lifestyle, or work on emotions, etc. For the treatment you may also need herbs as well as acupuncture. I give all my patients microcurrent with their treatment, sacred music, and sometimes essential oils. Each acupuncturist uses a mis of tools depending on the diagnosis and the underlying cause of the problem. READ MORE
Does acupuncture help with sinus allergies?
Acupuncture is one modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When we diagnose we try to identify the underlying cause and not just treat the symptoms like Western Medicine does. Acupuncture can help clear the sinuses but it does not address the underlying cause. There could be many causes, too much to discuss here. You may also need herbs and/ or the addition of some essential oils. The underlying cause must also be identified. The cause might be diet-related, environmental, or other causes. It is best to see an acupuncturist and they will know the best way to help you with your condition. READ MORE
Where is the pressure point for hip pain?
There are many pressure points for hip pain. It depends on the cause of the pain. Unlike Western medicine which only treats symptoms, in Traditional Chinese medicine we treat the whole person including the underlying cause. We don't just want the pain to go away but the cause of the pain as well so that it does not come back. Since I have no idea if this is low back that causes hip pain, sciatica, also hip pain, or any other of the many reasons for hip pain then there is no single point for hip pain. There is an exercise I like to teach my patients the can identify where the pain is and sometimes relieve it as follows: 1. on each hand, there are 4 metacarpals to each of the 4 fingers (not the thumb). 2. Between the 1st & second as well as between the 3rd & 4th at the proximal end is a soft spot. 3. Rub each of these 4 spots to see if any are tender 4. If one or more are tender then move the hips around like you are dancing and massage the tender spot with strong pressure. The name of the point is Yao Tong Xue (N-UE-19) - if you want to look up the point location. It is best to just go and see an acupuncturist and they can teach you which points are best for you to massage. READ MORE
Does acupuncture cure food allergies?
People are so used to Western medicine that they think differently than we do in Traditional Chinese Medicine. To answer your question: it depends on the cause. Many food allergies are caused by a poor diet and a leaky gut. When people change their diet and have acupuncture and herb support with the change, eventually most of the allergies caused by this problem will go away. If the allergies have been then since birth then again it depends on the cause but typically no. There are many reasons why people have allergies and even illnesses. Sometimes it is emotional, sometimes it is our thinking or thoughts, and even at times there is a spiritual connection (mind-body-spirit). Acupuncturists explore all of these possibilities when considering the treatment protocol. READ MORE
How often should you do acupuncture for anxiety?
As with any issue, it will depend on the cause. The rule of thumb is one month of treatment for every year the issue has been a problem. But that is just a rule of thumb. It also depends on external circumstances and if they can be eliminated, if not, then ongoing treatments may be needed as long as the external factors exist. Most people are USD to the Western medicine model, which is based on a symptom or disease and the person is prescribed a pill, where everyone is treated the same. With Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, we treat when whole person, not diseases or conditions. Each case is unique and the treatment is customized to that persons specific needs. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Pain managementNeuropathyMigrainsPTSD & Addiction DetoxificationStress Management

Faculty Titles & Positions

Professional Teaching Assistant Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine 2016 - 2021

Awards

Life Science Student of the Year 2004 Mesa Community College
Phi Theta Kappa 2004 Mesa Community College
Woman of the Year Dumbarton Bridge Chapter 1991 ABWA
• President’s Award for Outstanding Service 1991 Kiwanis
• Appreciation Award from the Silicon Valley Joint Venture Regulatory Streamlining Council 1993 Santa Clara Water District
Several Recognition Awards 1993 Cumberland Elementary School
Board Member of the Year 1992 PWP

Professional Memberships

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
American Board of Hypnotherapy
• National Board for Hypno and Hypnotic Anesthesiology
Sound Healers Association
• Reiki International RMA Professional Member
Asiam Medicine Acupuncturists of Arizona

Internships

2009 - 225 hours Acupuncture Graduate Externship at HUGI Acu-Herbs2008 - 153 hours Acupuncture Senior Intern Externship at HUGI Acu-Herbs

Professional Society Memberships

AAAOM, AAMA, AWB, NADA, SBA, AMAAZ, Theosophical Society

Professional Affiliations

NCCAOM, RMA Professional Member

Articles and Publications

Several Articles in Natural Awakenings as well as Psycreg, Blog Posts, Podcast guest with Anodyne Wellness channel and other channels, Podcast host (Dancing Bear Enlightenment Academy on YouTube), Holistic Transformation Summit Host, Book on Meditation (1999, 2019), many online articles,Android/Apple APP with many articles and workshops

What do you attribute your success to?

The desire to help others

Areas of research

Neuropathy, microcurrent, colored light therapies, sound therapies, spiritual development and its affect on health

Awards

Life Science Student of the Year, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ, Phi Theta Kappa, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZWoman of the Year, ABWA, Dumbarton Bridge Chapter, Presidents Award for Outstanding Service, KiwanisAppreciation Award from the Silicon Valley Joint Venture Regulatory Streamlining Council, for work done with the Santa Clara Water DistrictSeveral Recognition Awards from Cumberland Elementary School, Board Member of the Year, PWP

Philanthropic Initiatives

Ham Radio License KI7QNJ at events that need Ham Radio supportCERT Community Emergency Response Team certification in Mesa from FEMANWS National Weather Service

Teaching and speaking

Workshop leader for over 30 years, speaker, Professional TA for over 5 years, Podcast and Summit host and speaker, published author

Favorite Place to Vacation

Hawaii and Bora Bora

Hobbies / Sports

PhotographyGardening Reading

Favorite professional publications

Acupuncture TodayJournal of Chinese Medicine

Areas of research

2019 was primary investigator in the treatment of neuropathy using microcurrent and a light device. Results presented in 2019 and a poster published at the 2020 Prodietry Medical Conference.