As defined and applied, acupuncture is a healing modality that treats pain, illness and disease through the insertion of needles at various points in the body. By doing so, it regulates the flow of Qi -- the energetic “life force” that when allowed to flow freely creates health, balance and harmony.

For the past decade – and the last three from her studio on Kennett Pike in Chadds Ford – Jaime Kerrigan of Spring Point Acupuncture has been combining classical acupuncture theory with Western pathophysiology in moving her patients from pain to transformational healing. Much of her practice takes its inspiration from Kiiko Matsumoto, an internationally renowned practitioner and teacher with whom Kerrigan studied at Tri-State College of Acupuncture as part of Matsumoto’s clinical teaching team.

The gift Kerrigan brings to her practice was first developed either by accident -- or by pure destiny.

During her earlier career as a residential architect in Los Angeles, she found herself inspired not by the physical tools of her profession but by the clients she was working for.

“It became less about physical space and more about helping people express who they are and how they want to live,” Kerrigan said. “I was looking for a greater purpose, and so I was in pursuit of the question, ‘What does it mean to feel at home in one’s own self?’”

To recover from a repetitive strain injury, she turned to acupuncture and became fascinated by how her body improved. While sitting at her desk one day, she saw an advertisement for an open house that evening at an acupuncture school. She attended the event, and her entire world – and career – began to transform.

“There is a tuning into our own heart’s GPS systems – the following of breadcrumbs,” Kerrigan said. “Following the call of the heart, there is always risk, fear, and a band of resistance, but this is where we begin to develop self-trust. While I faced all of those fears of leaving one profession and starting another, I felt this peace and that basically began my journey.

“I had an inner knowing that was louder than the fear.”

To Kerrigan, acupuncture is the art of healing, and it has enabled her to achieve her greater purpose and answer the question, “What does it mean to feel at home in oneself?”

“I am an artist and a scientist, and I love the dance between the two forms,” she said. “For me, each treatment I perform is like writing a poem to the body and all the points have names and all of the names have meaning. I see it as if someone is coming to me and telling me their story, and I am translating it into a poem with needles.”

To learn more about Jaime Kerrigan and Spring Point Acupuncture, visit www.springpointacupuncture.com.