The Acupuncture Center of Northern Virginia is one of the oldest acupuncture practices in Virginia and has been in operation since 1997. It is owned by Linda Lloyd. Ms. Lloyd believes that acupuncture is a safe and natural way for patients to help heal themselves by bringing their bodies into balance. Ms. Lloyd is also a strong advocate of informing patients of the practice about all the daily activities that they can do for themselves to maintain optimal health. It is her passion to encourage patients to do as much as they can for themselves as their daily activities has a far greater impact on their health than periodic visits to a health professional. She is a Diplomate in Acupuncture from the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ( NCCAOM ). She is licensed to practice acupuncture by Virginia Board of Medicine Her passion to encourage people to do as much as they can for themselves in maintaining good health is the focus of her blog. Ms. Lloyd also reaches out to the public in her monthly column, From an Eastern Perspective found in the Alexandria paper, the Old Town Crier. Excerpts of her work can be found here. The focus of the column is to educate the public about Chinese medicine and to inform readers about ways to stay healthy. She is a member of the Acupuncture Society of Virginia and currently serves on its Board of Directors. She is also a member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and also is a member of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie Slaughter, a graduate of the Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts, is a new addition to the Acupuncture Center of Northern Virginia. She believes that for patients to most effectively find balance in the body, they must look closely at their lifestyles and habits, making modifications for improvement, if necessary, in conjuncture with acupuncture treatments. Ms. Slaughter will aid patients in these transformations with treatments tailored to the individual so as to achieve a healing shift in their energy. Ms. Slaughter is a Diplomate in Acupuncture from the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ( NCCAOM ). She is certified as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist ( ADS ) by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, of which she is also a member. Ms. Slaughter is licensed to practice acupuncture by the Virginia Board of Medicine as well as the Maryland State Board of Acupuncture.