Meet Kelley
Kelley McDaneld founded Yampa Valley Acupuncture in 2005 in downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado and since then has been practicing acupuncture full-time. In addition to her private practice, Kelley also started the acupuncture program at Yampa Valley Medical Center in 2006. She practiced both at her private clinic and at the UCHealth-YVMC Integrative Medicine Department until 2021, when she left her position at the hospital to focus solely on her private practice.
Prior to her Master’s degree, Kelley worked at a clinic of Chinese medicine in the Seattle area and had the opportunity to work with Dr. Zhaoxu Xing, who was temporarily practicing Chinese medicine in the United States and later went on to serve as the personal physician to the King of Oman. It was this experience with Dr. Xing that inspired Kelley to pursue a career in Chinese medicine.
Kelley’s Background
Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine
from Southwest Acupuncture College, 2005
Bachelor’s of Science in biology
from Duke University, 1997
Board Certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
by the NCCAOM, 2005 to present
Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
from NCCAOM, 2005 to present
Licensed acupuncturist in the state of Colorado
since 2005, License #1139
Licensed acupuncturist in the state of Kansas
since 2020, License #62
Kelley has lived in Steamboat for over 2 decades and loves being close to nature. In her free time Kelley enjoys mountain biking, hiking, cooking, doing yoga, traveling the world scuba diving and hanging out with her husband and two American pit bull terriers.
Located in beautiful downtown Steamboat Springs, our clinic has 2 spacious treatment rooms with natural light and views of Mt. Werner and Emerald Mountain. The clinic also has a central waiting area for patients and parking is readily available in one of the 2 parking lots located adjacent to the building. There is also a patient drop-off area on the second floor for those who are mobility-impaired.
Our Clinic
100 Park Avenue
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
What Is Chinese medicine?
Chinese Medicine is a medical art that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. It incorporates 5 branches including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, exercise, massage and nutrition. Chinese Medicine is founded on the idea that optimum health is achieved when there is internal functional balance in the body.
What can acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat?
Allergies
Anxiety and depression
Arthritis
Colds and flu
Digestive disorders
Headaches
High blood pressure
Infertility
Insomnia
Joint pain
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual disorders
Musculoskeletal pain
Nausea
Neuropathy
Side effects of chemotherapy
Sinusitis
And more…
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by eliciting a neural and vascular response in the body. When an acupuncture needle is inserted into an acupuncture point, this stimulates local nerves that send a message through the spinal cord to the brain where different endogenous opioids, neurotransmitters and/or hormones can then be released, causing a physiological response and often a reduction in pain. Research has shown that acupuncture can lead to an increase in dopamine, serotonin, GABA and norepinephrine levels post-treatment.
When each acupuncture needle is inserted, blood flow to the local area also increases, thereby promoting circulation and tissue healing. There is a low-grade immune response at each point that stimulates the release of mast cells, red blood cells and platelets in the area. Each point also stimulates the release of adenosine, nitric oxide, histamine, prostaglandins and substance P. These contribute to vasodilation and increased circulation. In effect, each needle insertion acts like a red flag, signaling the body to pay attention to the particular area being needled so that healing may occur.
Testimonials