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Inside and Out

How acupuncture works for what ails you

For the uninitiated, acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

To find out more, we talked to Karen A. Vega Rojas the founder of KV Acupuncture in Buckhead. She brings more than a decade of experience, combining Western and Eastern medical knowledge to every treatment. Her training began abroad, as a medical doctor where she developed a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology and clinical medicine before fully specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Over the years, she has continued to study advanced acupuncture techniques, pelvic floor therapy, orthopedic recovery and integrative approaches that blend modern science with classical Chinese principles. After practicing in Pennsylvania, she relocated to Georgia and established KV Acupuncture in Buford, later expanding to Buckhead to serve a growing community seeking personalized, results-driven care.

Thank you for sharing your time. Why did you choose this community as your business home?

Buckhead stands out as the ideal home for KV Acupuncture because it is one of Atlanta’s most vibrant and wellness-forward communities. People here are health-focused, diverse and deeply committed to receiving high-quality care, exactly the type of environment where integrative medicine thrives.

I have been practicing Chinese Medicine for eight years, beginning my career in Pennsylvania before relocating to Georgia. I opened my first practice in Buford, where I have proudly served patients for nearly four years and continue to do so today. After moving into the city of Atlanta, I took time to explore the area, research different neighborhoods and truly understand where KV Acupuncture could grow next.

Through that process, Buckhead emerged as the natural home for my boutique-style practice. Its energy, values and commitment to wellness align perfectly with my vision. That is why I opened my second location here this past April, creating a warm, intimate space that reflects who I am as a practitioner and the level of care I strive to provide.

Buckhead’s blend of young professionals, families and active residents also creates strong demand for services that support stress relief, injury recovery, hormonal balance and overall well-being. KV Acupuncture fits seamlessly into this growing wellness ecosystem, offering personalized, results-driven and transformative care. I’m excited to continue growing roots here and serving this community for many years to come.

For the uninitiated, walk us through a first-timers acupuncture treatment.

The first acupuncture appointment is one of the most meaningful parts of a patient’s healing journey, which is why I dedicate 90 - 120 minutes to every new patient. This time allows us to truly connect, build trust and lay the foundation for a strong practitioner-patient relationship.

During this initial visit, I focus not only on the main concern, though that is essential, but also on understanding the whole person. As a Chinese medicine practitioner, I look at the broader context of someone’s life, because every detail contributes to the bigger picture of their health and helps me to design the most accurate and effective treatment plan.

I ask about sleep habits, lifestyle, digestion, emotional well-being (if they feel comfortable sharing), energy levels and different body functions. Together, these details reveal the patient’s internal ecosystem and help me identify where imbalances may be coming from.

After this in-depth conversation and assessment, I design a personalized treatment plan and select acupuncture points tailored not just to the main condition, but also to any underlying patterns that need support. The needles are placed and retained for about 20 minutes, allowing the body to shift into a deep restorative state.

Once the needles are removed, we discuss the proposed treatment plan: how acupuncture can support their goals, what changes to expect and the next steps we will take together.

My goal is that every patient leaves their first appointment feeling seen, understood and confident about the path we are creating for their healing.

What are the most common complaints that bring patients to your practice?

In my clinic, the most frequent concerns tend to fall into three main categories:

1. Orthopedic Pain & Injuries 
Lower back pain is the number one reason patients seek my care. However, I treat a wide range of orthopedic issues, whether it’s recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain or addressing sudden muscle spasms.

2. Emotional Wellness & Stress-Related Conditions 
Many patients come in experiencing emotional distress, including stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of overwhelm. Acupuncture can be deeply regulating and supportive for people navigating these challenges.

3. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (My Specialty) 
A significant part of my practice focuses on pelvic floor disorders. This includes urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, chronic constipation, postpartum pelvic issues and chronic lower abdominal pain, among others. It is an area where acupuncture can make a profound difference, often providing relief when other treatments have not.

These three categories reflect the diversity of conditions acupuncture can effectively support, and the holistic, patient-centered approach that guides every treatment at KV Acupuncture.

My approach is deeply compassionate and boutique by design: I take time to listen, understand your lifestyle and consider the physical and emotional patterns influencing your health. Whether treating pain, metabolic imbalance, emotional distress or pelvic floor dysfunction, my goal is always the same: To help you reconnect your balance, activate your body’s healing potential and feel supported every step of the way.

 KV Acupuncture

 3155 Rosewell Rd NE, Suite 140 

 KV Acupuncture

 3155 Rosewell Rd NE, Suite 140 

 KVAcupuncture.com

 267.234 8817

 

As a Chinese medicine practitioner, I look at the broader context of someone’s life, because every detail contributes to the bigger picture of their health and helps me to design the most accurate and effective treatment plan.