deniseanlacom@gmail.com | 720-226-7501
My Mission
I believe that each person holds the key to their own healing.
At times, our body needs guidance and support towards balance.
As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Health, I work with all persons to restore balance from informed Eastern and Western perspectives.
Conditions I treat:
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chronic (longstanding) and acute (current) neck, back, low back, hip, knee, foot, shoulder, sciatic, foot, or pain from work|sports injuries, or overuse
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pain from inflamed | injured nerves and nervous system disorders
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digestive disorders
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long or post-Covid syndromes (brain fog, fatigue, low-appetite, and sleep disorders)
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anxiety, depression, feeling stuck, or unsettled
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optimal wellness and longevity
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a need for deep detoxification
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Companion services:
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cupping
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gua sha
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microneedling
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moxibustion
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injections of homeopathic remedies
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B-12 injections
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perineural injection therapy (PIT | Lyftogt Technique) - reduction of nerve inflammation and irritation
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neural therapy (autonomic nervous system regulation)
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craniosacral therapy
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If you are a new patient seeking acupuncture or Chinese herbs for the first time, please click the "New Patients" button below to be directed to schedule a free 15 minute consultation, a 50 Minute In-Person Chinese Herbal Consultation, or a 90 Minute New Patient Intake and Acupuncture Treatment. ​​QUESTIONS? Please ask!
Free 15-Minute Consultations
Treatment Options
ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
How does acupuncture work?
The short story: Acupuncture works through neurohormonal pathways.
The insertion of sterile, single-use, stainless steel needles at specific acupuncture points stimulates nerves to send signals to the brain to release beta-endorphins; these increase the body’s pain threshold, and will promote feelings of well-being and calm.
Acupuncture reduces pro-inflammatory markers TNF and Il-1b, which increases energy and immunity, and decreases chronic inflammation.
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Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a companion treatment to acupuncture, and often will not be separated in your treatment plan. Chinese herbs work to treat both the root and the branch of your condition. Root conditions are conditions that you have as a part of your constitutional physical and chemical makeup, or have acquired over time due to a combination of your internal environment and the external environment. These root conditions can lead to branch manifestations or your current conditions. CHM works as an at-home treatment that is taken in specific dosages, at specific times, to supplement your acupuncture treatment plan. Chinese herbal medicines are customized and prescribed on-site.
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE/FACIAL REJUVENATION/MICRONEEDLING
How does cosmetic facial acupuncture work?
Facial acupuncture increases blood flow and promotes the production of collagen and elastin by the insertion of small, single-use stainless steel needles at specific acupuncture points, both locally, on the face, and farther away, on the limbs.
Facial acupuncture works its magic by plumping and filing lines naturally, increasing the appearance of youthfulness and muscle tone.
Facial elasticity is positively affected by restoring resting mimetic muscle tone through the insertion of needles into the muscles of the head, face, and neck.
Facial acupuncture creates a natural lift by the insertion of needles in strategic scalp and facial acupuncture points and facial muscles where cosmetic face lifts are usually performed.
How Does Microneedling (Collagen Induction Therapy) help with
wrinkles, age spots, stretch marks, scars, large pores, and lax skin tone?
A gentle, oscillating pen (a class-2 device), using single-use stainless steel needle tips, triggers natural facial renewal while infusing serums (hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide [B3], and others) into the patient's skin.
Microneedling is applied at a .5mm depth to affect keratinocytes in the stem cell layer, which increases topical absorption up to 97%.
The most commonly applied topical during microneedling treatments is hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar molecule that draws 1000x its weight in water to plump and fill wrinkles. It breaks down very slowly, and doesn't trigger breakouts.
Microneedling works by taking hyaluronic acid to a subdermal level, creating a deeper, longer-lasting treatment than if it were applied alone.
It is very much like aerating your lawn!
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What is the Difference Between Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling?
Both facial acupuncture and microneedling achieve the same results, as mentioned in the headline above.
However, facial acupuncture is preventative--the patient also receives a corresponding body acupuncture treatment to address the underlying causes of aging, according to the patient's constitution. This is necessary for long-lasting results, and is preventative of accelerated aging.
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It is recommended to receive both facial acupuncture and microneedling for optimum results.
INJECTION THERAPIES
How do injection therapies work?
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Conventional methods to treat pain, such as over-the-counter painkillers, prescribed medications, and surgery, are often only effective in the short term. Many patients are now searching for solutions that are non-addictive, longer lasting, and permanent. In addition to injectible anesthetics, I also offer injectible homeopathic remedies and B-12 shots.
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Perineural therapy (PIT) is a safe, and effective treatment that heals inflamed and damaged nerves due to trauma, sports or accident-related injury, arthritis, or overuse. When nerves are injured, they continue to send a pain message to the brain, even though the nerve is not being stimulated by pain. This creates a “short circuit” like an open wire with electricity flowing through it. The substances that cause pain also prevent tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments from healing. Once damage nerves are healed, the surrounding tissues are also able to heal. PIT injections may also contain a local anesthetic.
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Neural therapy is a safe, and effective treatment which uses an anesthetic to treat pain and other conditions. These superficial injections promote healing of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). When trauma occurs to the body, an interference field is created which interrupts and redirects the electrical signals sent through the ANS. This interference field does not allow the body to regulate and heal properly. Neural therapy is very effective in relieving interference fields. In neural therapy, scars, trigger points, the autonomic ganglia, and peripheral nerves are used to treat chronic pain with numbness, restricted movements, poor circulation, headaches, kidney disease, allergies, depression, thyroid imbalances, and trigeminal neuralgia, to name a few.
INTEGRATIVE BODYWORK/
TUI NA & CUPPING
What is Tui Na?
Tui Na is the gentle, yet focused, manipulation of the body’s tissues in order to relieve muscle tension and tightness. It differs from Swedish massage in that the focus of the manipulations may be on specific acupuncture points, and the patient is usually clothed.
Topicals, liniments, and at-home herbal soaks are used in conjunction with tui na, to help break up areas of stagnation (low blood flow, stagnant blood flow), which can lead to pain and reduced healing times.
What is cupping?
Cupping is the use of glass, plastic, or silicone cups which may be heated to produce varying degrees of suction of the patient’s skin, muscle and fascia, to relieve tension and pain.
Often, circular marks of varying colors are left behind, and these help determine various conditions that may be present in the patient.
The color, temperature, and texture of the patient’s skin during and after cupping sessions are used as diagnostic tools which further inform the individual person's treatment.
Meet Dr. Denise An Andert
Dr. Denise An Andert is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Health (DAIH), a Colorado state-licensed acupuncturist, and diplomate of Oriental Medicine through the National Acupuncture Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is a Colorado state-licensed massage therapist and esthetician through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
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Her dynamic approach to Chinese medicine is continuously informed by Western medical theories and current research. She aims to find ways to elevate Chinese medicine as a practice and profession, and continuously assists in its integration with Western medicine and culture.
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As part of her practice and philosophy, Dr. Andert strives to include the patient in their journey to health and healing by providing comprehensive treatment plans, outlining recommendations for care, empowering them to have a better quality of life. She listens to each patient, ensuring that their needs are the priority.
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If you are seeking positive, intuitive, and compassionate patient-centered care, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment to discover how Dr. Andert can be a part of your healing journey to revitalize all aspects of you - Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Education
Doctoral Degree
Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Health
New England School of Acupuncture |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, Massachusetts
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Capstone: Dissemination of findings on the Efficacy of Traditional Chinese in Menopausal Women who Experience Vasomotor symptoms (VMS). The purpose of a capstone project is to thoughtfully question current practices in healthcare, critically search, review, and appraise research literature, understand research methodology, promote research utilization, participate in the development and implementation of evidence-based outcomes in my area of practice, and become a leader and facilitator in the translation of evidence to promote positive healthcare outcomes.
Master Degree
Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization
Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin
Austin, Texas
Degree received from an Eastern and Western integrative, 3006 hour | 206.5 credit master program, of which is comprised of 1008 clinical hours, Chinese herbal medicine, Western medicine, and integrative study hours between Eastern and Western medicine.
Doctoral Degree in Progress
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Colorado Chinese Medicine University
2024 - 2026
Denver, Colorado
Degree in progress - 1215 hours | 450 in-depth learning of Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) theories and methods according to Xiaochuan Pan. These methods are focused on the Chinese Classical texts of the Huang Di Nei Jing, Nan Jing, Shen Nong Ben Cao, and the Shang Han Lun. These methods are world renown for their clinical efficacy, and will bring greater efficacy to the clinical treatment of patients.
Professional Affiliations
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NCCAOM - National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, board-certification in acupuncture, acupuncture theory, Chinese herbal medicine, and allopathic medicine
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NAANT - North American Academy of Neural Therapy
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DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies, Colorado-state licensure for acupuncture, massage therapy, and esthetics
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Malpractice insurance - Allied Professionals
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Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
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AAC - Acupuncture Association of Colorado
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TAAOM - Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
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CAQH - Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare
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VA - Veterans Affairs
Contact
Dr. Denise An Andert
Professional Offices at the Colorado Chinese Medicine University
1441 York Street, Suite 304
Denver, Colorado 80206
