Certified Acupuncturist in Nørrebro, Copenhagen
“Shenmen means Spirit Gate to the mind and the heart”
Acupuncture with the heart
At Shenmen Acupuncture, it’s all about you and your well-being.
Acupuncture Copenhagen
Registered RAB acupuncturist
My mission is to help you feel better as quickly as possible and guide you back to health and balance. I focus on uncovering and treating the root cause of your concerns, not just addressing the symptoms. Each session begins with a conversation based on presence, empathy, and a holistic approach. I believe the body and soul are deeply interconnected, and both are always considered in the healing process.
In addition to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, I integrate other powerful techniques such as Master Tung Acupuncture, Gua Sha, Chinese Cupping,Traumatology, and NADA. These methods work to restore your body’s natural balance and provide relief for a wide range of conditions.
Acupuncture offers a gentle yet highly effective way to enhance your health and well-being.
WHO recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions.
By stimulating specific points on the body, it can address issues such as pregnancy-related nausea, stress, anxiety, headache, whiplash, insomnia and many more conditions. I work with a diverse range of patients, each with unique needs and goals.
A typical session lasts about 45 minutes, with the initial consultation taking a bit longer. I look forward to helping you rediscover a sense of calm, balance, and vitality.
All treatments take place in my clinic at the address:
Jægersborggade 29, 2200 Copenhagen N
Treatments with Acupuncture
Pain relief
-
Headaches and migraines can have many different causes, which is why an accurate diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. Acupuncture is an effective method for alleviating and treating these conditions, as it targets the underlying causes rather than just addressing the symptoms.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture provides fast and long-lasting relief from headaches, often yielding better results than painkillers because it doesn’t simply mask the pain—it restores the body’s natural balance. Treatments are personalized and tailored to your specific type of headache, whether it’s caused by an excess or deficiency of energy, and whether it’s acute or chronic.
Migraines
Migraines are often characterized by intense, one-sided headaches and may be accompanied by sensory disturbances, known as aura, before an attack. These disturbances can include visual changes, sensitivity to smells, or aversion to light, and many people also experience nausea during a migraine episode.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), migraines are thought to result from rising Yang energy in the gallbladder meridian. This imbalance may stem from excessive internal heat requiring drainage or a deficiency in another meridian that needs strengthening. Acupuncture can provide relief during an acute migraine attack and act preventively between episodes by addressing the imbalances causing the migraines.
Migraines and Menstruation
Many women experience migraines in connection with their menstrual cycle. Understanding the cycle—whether it’s long, short, irregular, and the nature of the associated pain (location and timing)—is crucial. By treating the menstrual cycle and correcting any imbalances, acupuncture can often reduce or completely eliminate migraines.
Unfortunately, many women are told that menstrual pain is a normal part of being a woman and must be endured, or that birth control pills are the only solution. Acupuncture offers an effective and natural alternative for managing these issues.
Migraines and Muscular Problems
Migraines can also be triggered by muscular conditions. Tension in the neck, whiplash injuries, misalignments in the body, an improper bite, or jaw tension can all contribute to migraines. Acupuncture can help release these tensions and restore balance in the body, reducing or eliminating migraines caused by these factors.
-
Treatment of Neck Pain and Headaches with Acupuncture
Nearly everyone in Denmark has experienced neck pain at some point, and for many, this discomfort can spread to the head, causing headaches or migraines.
When you visit my clinic, my priority is to determine the root cause of your pain. Is it related to your work posture, jaw alignment, poor posture, stress, sleeping position, or other factors? By identifying the underlying cause, I can tailor the treatment to ensure it is both effective and long-lasting.
A Holistic Diagnosis
As part of the treatment, I conduct a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis by examining your pulse and observing your tongue. This helps me identify imbalances in your body and select the most appropriate treatment approach.
Acupuncture for Neck Pain
Acupuncture is a highly effective way to relieve neck pain and the headaches that often accompany it. Fine needles are placed at specific points to release tension, improve blood circulation, and restore balance to the body’s energy. This process helps reduce symptoms of both neck pain and headaches.
In addition to acupuncture, I may also use cupping and Gua Sha to release deep muscle tension and enhance the body’s natural healing processes. These complementary techniques can provide further relief and accelerate recovery.
-
Whiplash, also known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) injury, often occurs after a sudden strain or trauma, such as a rear-end collision, where the head is forcefully whipped back and forth. This can result in neck pain, headaches, and tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.
When you visit my clinic, I focus on identifying the root cause of your symptoms. I conduct a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis by examining your pulse and tongue to gain a clear understanding of your body’s imbalances.
With extensive experience in treating both concussions and whiplash, I have helped many clients reduce pain and restore mobility.
Treatment with Acupuncture
Acupuncture, along with cupping and Gua Sha, is highly effective for relieving neck pain and tension. These treatments work to:
Release muscle tightness and alleviate stiffness.
Improve blood circulation to the affected areas.
Support the body’s natural healing processes.
By addressing the underlying causes of your discomfort, these techniques not only relieve symptoms but also help restore balance and improve your overall well-being.
-
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that significantly reduces shoulder mobility due to inflammation and scarring in the joint capsule. This condition can make everyday movements difficult and may persist for months or even years without proper treatment.
Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder
Acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. By placing fine needles at points around the shoulder and throughout the body, acupuncture helps:
Relieve pain by calming the nervous system and reducing sensitivity.
Improve blood circulation to the affected area, promoting healing.
Reduce inflammation and swelling in the shoulder joint.
Enhance mobility by loosening muscle tension and breaking up adhesions.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder
Natural pain relief without the use of medication.
No side effects like those associated with steroids or painkillers.
Personalized treatment: Acupuncture can be tailored to your unique needs, targeting both the local area of pain and the whole body to encourage healing and restore balance.
Comprehensive Treatment Approach
In addition to traditional acupuncture, I incorporate:
Auricular (ear) acupuncture to enhance pain relief and support overall healing.
Cupping therapy to release deep muscle tension and improve circulation.
Gua Sha to break up stagnation and promote mobility.
Electroacupuncture for deeper stimulation and faster results.
These combined techniques work together to address the root cause of frozen shoulder, providing relief and improving function while supporting your body’s natural ability to heal.
Gynecology problems
-
Acupuncture offers great relief for menstrual pain.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the woman’s menstrual cycle is an important diagnostic tool. The length, regularity, consistency, quantity, color, PMS symptoms, timing of pain, and the location of pain are all considered to form an accurate diagnosis.
During our first consultation, I will map out your imbalances to get a clear picture of the underlying issues in your body and gather the necessary information for the final diagnosis.
Many women experience migraines in connection with their menstrual cycle. When the menstrual flow is treated to become more harmonious, the migraines often disappear. Some believe that menstrual pain is just a part of being a woman and that one must learn to live with it. The only alternative in Western medicine is often birth control pills, which are also prescribed to young girls. However, menstrual pain can have various causes.
As always, I will perform an accurate TCM diagnosis to identify the specific imbalance.
In TCM, we often differentiate between Kidney deficiency, Liver imbalance, or Blood stagnation, depending on where the pain is localized.
When we talk about organs in TCM, we refer to the Chinese understanding of the organ, which differs from Western functional definitions.
-
The number of labor inductions for pregnant women in Denmark has increased significantly in recent years. This is due to the increased risk of complications if the baby is not born before the 42nd week of pregnancy. The issue has sparked significant debate in the media, and induction procedures have been repeatedly reassessed at hospitals.
The medication Misoprostol, which contains the hormone Prostaglandin, is used to soften the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions. Routine induction of labor with this medication is now recommended after the 41+3 week of pregnancy. Inducing labor can be a prolonged process, lasting several days, and you may have to travel back and forth to the hospital multiple times.
This can cause worry, uncertainty, and fatigue at a time when it is crucial to conserve energy for the birth.
With acupuncture, you can avoid medical interventions and go through the birth naturally. Acupuncture helps stimulate the uterus and prepares the body for labor as the due date approaches.
After the due date, acupuncture is actively applied over a three-day period, where I provide acupuncture on the body and in the ears each day.
I always recommend drinking raspberry leaf tea three weeks before the due date. This softens the perineum, helps the uterus contract, and promotes a smoother birth. Raspberry leaf tea can be found in most health food stores.
-
Infertility is a condition that affects many couples and can be caused by a variety of factors, both in women and men. It can be emotionally challenging and frustrating for those experiencing difficulties in conceiving.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), infertility is approached by addressing the root causes and balancing the body's energy. TCM looks at factors such as hormonal imbalances, stress, and lifestyle choices that may be affecting fertility.
How Acupuncture Helps with Infertility
Acupuncture is a proven method for enhancing fertility by promoting overall health and restoring balance to the reproductive system. Acupuncture helps by:
Regulating hormone levels: Acupuncture can help regulate the hormones responsible for ovulation and sperm production, improving the chances of conception.
Improving blood circulation: By increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, acupuncture helps improve the health of the uterus and ovaries in women and enhances sperm quality in men.
Reducing stress: Acupuncture helps reduce stress and anxiety, which are often underlying factors contributing to infertility.
-
Irregular menstruation is a common issue that many women face. It refers to cycles that are shorter or longer than usual, missed periods, or irregular bleeding between periods. While it can be frustrating, understanding the underlying causes can help manage and treat the condition effectively.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), irregular menstruation is seen as a sign of imbalance in the body, often involving the liver, spleen, kidney, or blood systems. TCM aims to restore balance to these systems, promoting a healthy menstrual cycle.
How Acupuncture Helps with Irregular Menstruation
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for irregular periods, as it works to address the root causes of the issue and harmonize the body’s energy. Acupuncture helps by:
Regulating hormonal imbalances: Acupuncture can help balance the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, promoting regular ovulation and menstruation.
Improving blood circulation: By stimulating specific acupuncture points, blood flow to the reproductive organs is enhanced, helping to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Balancing the body’s energy: Acupuncture works to restore the balance of Qi (energy) in the body, particularly in the liver and kidney systems, which are often involved in menstrual irregularities.
Addressing stress: Acupuncture helps reduce stress, which is a common cause of irregular periods, by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system.
Mental health
-
Do you struggle to fall asleep when you go to bed? Do you toss and turn during the night, wake up too early, or experience interrupted sleep?
Acupuncture can help calm your mind, restore balance, and enable you to enjoy restful, rejuvenating sleep once again.
Common Causes of Insomnia
There are many reasons for insomnia, with the most common being:
Stress, overthinking, worries, or grief.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we further differentiate between imbalances such as Yin/Yang disharmony and other specific TCM diagnoses.
Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment
When you visit me for insomnia, I begin with a full TCM diagnosis to tailor your treatment as precisely as possible. This ensures we address the root cause of your sleeplessness and not just the symptoms.
Treatment Approach
The treatment combines acupuncture, cupping, and Gua Sha to provide:
A calmer mind and a sense of inner peace.
Improved sleep quality with fewer interruptions.
A more balanced daily life and increased energy levels.
With this holistic approach, you’ll experience deeper, more restorative sleep, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to face the day with a renewed sense of well-being.
-
Stress affects a significant number of people in Denmark and is often referred to as a modern epidemic.
If left untreated, stress can lead to lasting physical and mental health issues. When the body is under psychological or physical pressure, it naturally releases adrenaline—a useful response in the Stone Age, but less helpful in today’s world.
Stress is often triggered by work-related challenges or personal problems that place heavy demands on daily life.
Common Symptoms of Stress
Stress can manifest in many ways, including:
Insomnia
Tension
Headaches or migraines
Neck and shoulder pain
Short temper
Emotional sensitivity
Anxiety
Difficulty concentrating or poor memory
Acupuncture: An Effective Remedy for Stress
Acupuncture is highly effective for alleviating stress, helping you tap into your inner resources and restore calm to your system. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the key is to re-establish balance within the body.
Tailored Treatment Plans
During your first visit, I will conduct a thorough consultation to create a TCM diagnosis, identifying any imbalances. Based on this, I will design a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Additional NADA Treatments
In addition to traditional body acupuncture, I offer NADA treatments, which are particularly effective for restoring balance to both the body and mind. You can learn more about NADA treatments here.
By addressing the root causes of stress, acupuncture not only alleviates symptoms but also supports your overall well-being, helping you regain a sense of calm and resilience in your daily life.
-
Depression is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can manifest as persistent sadness, a lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness, and difficulty finding joy in daily life. In addition to emotional symptoms, depression can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and disrupted sleep patterns.
How Acupuncture Can Help with Depression
Acupuncture is a powerful tool in the treatment of depression, as it helps to restore balance in both the body and mind. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture promotes the flow of energy (Qi) and blood, supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Depression
Improved mood: Acupuncture helps release endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals, which can alleviate feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Reduced anxiety: Acupuncture can help calm the nervous system, reducing the stress and anxiety that often accompany depression.
Enhanced energy levels: By addressing imbalances in the body, acupuncture can help combat fatigue and restore vitality.
Better sleep: Many people with depression also suffer from sleep disturbances, and acupuncture can help improve the quality and duration of sleep.
-
Anxiety is a common condition that can range from occasional feelings of unease to persistent and overwhelming worry. It can affect all aspects of life, including work, relationships, and physical health. Symptoms of anxiety often include rapid heart rate, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and physical tension.
How Acupuncture Can Help with Anxiety
Acupuncture is a natural and effective way to manage anxiety. It works by stimulating specific points on the body to help balance the flow of energy (Qi) and promote relaxation. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the overactivity of the nervous system, helping the body shift from a "fight or flight" state to a more calm and balanced state.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Anxiety
Calming the nervous system: Acupuncture helps regulate the body’s stress response and calms the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a reduction in feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
Reducing physical symptoms: Acupuncture can alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues.
Improved emotional well-being: Acupuncture promotes the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that help improve mood and overall mental clarity.
Better sleep: Anxiety often disrupts sleep, but acupuncture can help improve the quality and duration of rest, which is essential for emotional and physical recovery.
Meet your practitioner
I am Anders Thorhauge, and I love working with people.
As a practitioner, I have had the great pleasure of meeting individuals in all stages of life – from joy to sorrow, from new beginnings to old family bonds. I have accompanied many people over the years and been a part of their journey, which fills me with deep gratitude.
The full spectrum of amazing lives and destinies I’ve had the opportunity to meet, help, and be a part of is something I am truly grateful for.
Before becoming an acupuncturist, I had a career as a professional dancer and singer after training in London and New York. This gave me a profound understanding of how the body and mind are interconnected and how they influence each other.
Since 2008, I have worked as an acupuncturist. I studied with Nigel Ching in Denmark and educated myself further in China, Germany, England, and Israel.
When I was first introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was like opening my eyes to a completely new world. It completely changed my view on people and their imbalances, and it has been a gift to be able to use this knowledge to help others.
In my treatments, I combine acupuncture with other effective techniques such as Master Tung Acupuncture, Gua Sha, Chinese Cupping, Traumatology, and NADA. My approach is holistic, and I always strive to create balance and harmony, both physically and mentally, for those I treat.
In addition to my work in my acupuncture clinic in Copenhagen, I have been a study advisor and supervisor at the Acupuncture Academy in Copenhagen for many years, taught at Gl. Kongevej Acupuncture School, and the Nordic Acupuncture Education.
I look forward to welcoming you and supporting you on your journey towards health and well-being.
Forms of treatment
Before the treatment:
In your first consultation, I will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. I also examine your pulse, tongue, and posture to get a holistic view of your condition. This assessment helps determine which acupuncture points should be stimulated.
Acupuncture
-
I use very thin, sterile disposable needles. These are carefully inserted into selected acupuncture points on the body. Most people only experience a mild prick or no pain at all during insertion. You may feel a slight pressure, warmth, or a tingling sensation around the point. The needles typically remain in place for 30-45 minutes, depending on the treatment plan.
Here, you can relax to gentle music, if you wish. I may also choose to stimulate the needles by gently twisting them or using heat or a mild electrical current (electroacupuncture) to enhance the effect.
When the treatment is finished, the needles are gently removed. This is usually painless.
Many people feel relaxed or energized after a session, while others may experience mild fatigue. The effect can vary depending on your individual needs and health condition. Typically, at least 3 treatments are required before you can notice an effect.
Do you suffer from frozen shoulder, neck and shoulder tension, or general muscle problems? Then Chinese cupping may be the solution. This ancient and effective method is ideal for releasing muscle tension and improving blood circulation while also helping to release waste products that have accumulated in the body.
Chinese Cupping
-
I often combine cupping with acupuncture to achieve even better results.
Cupping works by creating a vacuum in small glass cups, which are placed on the skin over acupuncture points. The vacuum affects the point and increases blood and lymph flow, helping to remove stagnation in the connective tissue. It is a technique with deep roots that has been practiced since 1000 BC in large parts of Asia.
The treatment acts as a form of deep tissue massage, working intensively to release tension, reduce blood stagnation, and stimulate the body’s energy – Qi, the life force.
I use cupping for a variety of challenges, including muscular tension, respiratory issues such as colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The treatment can be performed on the whole body, but is especially effective on the back, neck, and shoulders.
After a cupping session, you will typically feel wonderfully relaxed and light in your body – much like after a massage that truly reaches deep into the muscles. Cupping is a gentle, yet powerful method to create balance and well-being.
Do you have tension in your neck and shoulders, muscle knots, or tension headaches? Gua Sha might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This ancient Chinese technique has been used for thousands of years and is excellent for relieving pain and improving the body’s natural healing processes.
Gua Sha
-
Gua Sha can be used to treat pain, upper respiratory issues, or digestive discomfort. The technique works deeply in the muscles, releasing accumulated toxins while promoting blood circulation.
The area to be massaged is first coated with oil. Then, I use a special Gua Sha tool to scrape or massage the area.
The skin often becomes red, and sometimes small red spots appear. These marks are signs of blockages and stagnation, and they typically disappear within 2-5 days.
After the treatment, you will immediately notice a difference – less stiffness, reduced pain, and improved mobility. A pleasant warmth will spread through your body as a sign that the healing process has begun.
To get the most benefit from the Gua Sha treatment, it is important to take care of the treated area afterward. Keep it covered, and avoid drafts, direct sunlight, or cold for the rest of the day.
Gua Sha is a simple, yet incredibly effective method to help your body regain balance and freedom of movement.
Ear Acupuncture
Auriculotherapy, also known as ear acupuncture, is a treatment method that focuses on the reflex zones of the ear to promote healing and balance in the body. The system was developed in the 1950s by neurologist Paul Nogier.
By stimulating specific points on the ear that are connected to the body’s organs and systems, ear acupuncture can relieve pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and treat a variety of conditions such as digestive problems, migraines, and addiction.
-
The treatment is gentle and can be performed using needles, pressure, light, or small magnets, depending on the needs. Auriculotherapy is an effective method for restoring the body's natural balance and supporting its self-healing abilities. It can also provide quick relief.
NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) is a method that helps you reconnect with the resources already within you.
The treatment creates balance in the body and mind, provides peace for the soul, and helps you get closer to your emotions and personal development. It’s a moment where you can find inner peace and rejuvenation.
NADA
-
The method is particularly well-suited as a supplement to acupuncture for stress, where it contributes to both physical and mental balance.
NADA is typically conducted as a community treatment, where you sometimes sit in the same room as other patients while receiving 5 small needles in each ear. With me, you can always schedule a session for NADA.
The treatment lasts 45 minutes in silence, without phones, distractions, or conversations.
NADA also serves as a stabilizing supplement to other therapeutic treatments. There is no pre-treatment conversation, and the session itself can create significant results, giving you a sense of inner harmony.
Have you suffered a sports injury or do you deal with chronic pain in your joints or muscles? Electrostimulation treatment may be an effective solution. This method is also suitable for treating muscle tension, joint conditions, and neurological disorders such as hemiplegia.
Electrostimulation helps reduce swelling, improve blood circulation, and accelerate the healing process.
Electrostimulation
-
For example, a sprained ankle can quickly experience reduced swelling and restored blood flow to the area.
The treatment is combined with acupuncture, where a mild electrical current is passed through the inserted needles to enhance their effect.
Small crocodile clips are attached to the needle shafts, and a low-frequency current is applied, providing a mild, pleasant tingling sensation in the area. You control the pace.
Electrostimulation is now an advanced technique with many different programs that can be tailored precisely to your needs and problem areas. It is a gentle yet powerful treatment that not only alleviates pain but also supports the body in its natural healing process.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Prices* & Booking
*Most insurance companies cover acupuncture. Please check with your insurance. Additionally, Sygeforsikringen Danmark provides coverage.
Give a gift card for health and wellbeing
A gift card for Shenmen Acupuncture is a gift for the body and mind - whether it's for a friend, a family member, or yourself.
You choose the amount yourself from DKK 600, and the card can be used for all treatments at the clinic. Gift cards are valid for one year from the date of issue and can be collected in person at the clinic during opening hours or sent digitally - whichever suits you best.
How to purchase a gift card: Contact Anders at anders@shenmen.dk or tel. 31 17 11 50, and we'll sort out the details. Payment is made via [payment method].
If you have any questions, you're always welcome to write or call.