Gracia Tharp - The Thrive Team | Thrive Integrative Health

MEET GRACIA THARP, MS, LAc, AEMP

Owner, Clinical Director, Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist
(she/her)

Gracia has over a decade of experience and training focusing on the integration of Eastern medicine into the Western medical model. Gracia specializes in women’s health including fertility support, pregnancy care, postpartum, and menopausal care. She also treats a variety of symptoms related to internal diseases including digestive complaints, sleep disturbances, and oncology-related symptoms. She has served as faculty at University of Washington and enjoys mentoring Eastern and Western medical residents.

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GRACIA’S STORY

Gracia, herself, was run through the typical allopathic treatment system. After receiving unnecessary surgery and failed treatments she grew discouraged she would not recover from her illness. After years of unanswered questions, she was recommended acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine— which transformed her life. Seeing personally how acupuncture changed her quality of life and health she decided to return to school. She hoped to return this gift of health to others. While Gracia values the importance of Western Medicine, she also sees that surgery and pharmaceuticals may not be the best first line of defense.

As a mother, she has first-hand experience with the benefit of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for fertility, pregnancy, labor and postpartum recovery. Women are restricted from taking many medications and supplements. Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to provide relief of symptoms during pregnancy, labor and postpartum care.

FERTILITY, PREGNANCY & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Gracia has a specific interest in women’s health. She works with women of all ages helping them regulate their menstrual cycle; support pregnancy and postpartum; and alleviate menopausal symptoms. As a mother (and having a natural, unmedicated birth) she understands the changes that the woman’s body has to make to grow a tiny human.

Gracia enjoys supporting patients through their fertility journey. Acupuncture can be to help regulate the menstrual cycle and support fertility related treatments. There is growing evidence that acupuncture can improve outcomes for patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques including IVF and IUI treatments. Gracia forms a treatment plan in conjunction with these treatments to support her patients’ journey.

Gracia has received specialized training in prenatal and postal natal care. She is an alumni and member of an intensive international maternal health program (MAMPS) that includes collaboration on evidence-based approaches, safe practice and successful treatment techniques. Acupuncture can help with pregnancy related symptoms, labor preparation and postpartum care. She is available upon request for house-calls for these circumstances.

SPORTS MEDICINE

Gracia has seen how acupuncture can transform athletes and help them achieve their personal goals by performance enhancement, facilitating recovery time of acute and chronic injuries. In 2013, Gracia was fortunate to assist the Seattle Mariners Athletic Training Department during spring training in Peoria, AZ. Gracia provided the professional athletes acupuncture and tui na massage.

Gracia also volunteers at the Seattle Marathon treating marathon runners with acupuncture, Kinesio Taping® and Chinese massage post-race. Gracia is a certified Kinesio Taping® Practitioner and a member of the Kinesio Taping® Association International.

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

Gracia has seen how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders first-hand and with her patients in a natural and minimally invasive way. Chronic digestive issues such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, irregular bowel movements can be intrusive to your daily life. In conjunction with Cascade Integrative Medicine’s providers she will work together to find the root cause of the dysfunction to alleviate your symptoms.

ONCOLOGY-RELATED SYMPTOMS

Gracia has specialized training in oncology. Acupuncture can be a safe and non-invasive tool for symptoms related to oncology treatments. She is a preferred outpatient provider for Fred Hutch and has completed shifts at Providence Regional Cancer Partnership. Patients experiencing pain, neuropathy, nausea, fatigue and hormonal shifts can often find relief using acupuncture and adjunctive approaches.

RX ON THE RISE

In a nation where prescription drug use is on the rise, Gracia has a deep interest in promoting the effective use of Chinese herbal medicine. Gracia has studied herbal medicine in China at Chengdu University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These hospitals apply the Chinese model in utilizing the best of traditional herbal treatments in conjunction with modern drugs.

As a former assistant teacher of pharmacology at Bastyr University, Gracia is able to use her Western pharmacological knowledge to prescribe Chinese herbal medicine effectively to her patients supplementing allopathic medication and treatment.

BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Gracia Tharp, (MSAOM) is a licensed practitioner of East Asian medicine (EAMP) in the state of Washington. She is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and board certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Gracia Tharp graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle with a dual Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She underwent rigorous clinical and didactic training at Bastyr University in addition to several off-site acupuncture clinical rotations. Gracia Tharp served as the Lead Acupuncturist at Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Washington. During this time, she held a faculty position within the University of Washington’s Department of Family Medicine.

Lead Acupuncturist, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Washington, (Seattle, WA)
Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington
Chengdu University of TCM Hospital (Chengdu, China)
Shanghai University of TCM Hospital (Shanghai, China)
Providence Regional Cancer Partnership (Everett, WA)
Mariners’ MLB Team, Athletic Training Department (Peoria, AZ)
Mayo Clinic, Complementary and Alternative Health (Rochester, MN)
International Clinic, Harborview Medical Center (Seattle, WA)
Chronic Fatigue Clinic, Harborview Medical Center (Seattle, WA)
Rehabilitation Center, Providence Mount St. Vincent (Seattle, WA)
UW Neighborhood Clinic (Northgate, WA)
Bastyr Center for Natural Health (Seattle, WA)
Immune Wellness Clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health (Seattle, WA)

DEDICATED TO CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Gracia understands the importance of continuing education in Western medicine in addition to Eastern medicine. She has pursued professional enrichment opportunities at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and at the University of Washington Neighborhood clinic in Seattle to stay informed on current research and treatment methods in allopathic medicine.

Gracia also continues to take courses and trainings in Eastern medicine to explore additional advanced treatment methods for her patients. In 2014, Gracia served at Bastyr University as a teacher assistant in one of the core curriculum courses for acupuncture students.

Nationally and within the state, acupuncture is emerging in the Western clinic setting. Gracia served on the Board for Washington East Asian Medicine Association to aide professional development. She also helped implement a pilot project to include acupuncture as a covered modality for Labor & Industries related claims specific to low back pain. She has great interest in expanding and educating the general public on integrative care specific to acupuncture.

WHY SCHEDULE?

Preventative medicine is a key component in attaining a level of health that allopathic medicine alone cannot reach—and lowers health costs. By integrating these two medicines, Gracia will help you reach your optimal health and avoid expensive interventions.

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