Often what brings someone into our office looks straightforward at first—a concussion, dizziness, headache, or a sense that something is not quite right. But what begins as the search to fix a symptom often reveals something deeper—a nervous system that has lost its bearings, sensory maps that no longer line up, and a body quietly adapting around signals it can no longer fully trust.
Ayla Wolf and Clayton Shiu both work at the intersection of functional neurology and East Asian medicine. Through clinical observation, modern diagnostic tools, and hands-on palpation, they’ve developed ways of seeing patterns that often sit beneath symptoms most people wouldn’t connect to the brain.
Listen into this conversation as we explore how concussion can masquerade as digestive issues, tinnitus, anxiety, or vestibular dysfunction. And why the neck, eyes, inner ear, and autonomic nervous system all can be part of the problem. We’ll explore how acupuncture can help restore orientation, balance, and sensory accuracy. And what becomes possible when ancient medicine intersects with a modern understanding of neuroplasticity.
Ayla Wolf – When people have dysautonomia, less is more.
Clayton Shiu – I highly recommend learning to differentiate treating the central nervous system disorders vs. orthopedic conditions. It adds a lot of clarity to the session in terms of treatment plans, where to focus both needling and herbal approaches. And whatever the approach, I recommend 10 sessions because it takes time to train neurological tissue to behave optimally.
Clayton Shiu, Ph.D, L.Ac
I have focused my career on integrating acupuncture with neurological science to achieve optimal patient outcomes. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Boston University and a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health Sciences. After founding a successful sports and orthopedic clinic in New York City, I received a scholarship from the Chinese government to advance my studies. I earned a Ph.D. in Acupuncture and Moxibustion from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, specializing in stroke rehabilitation under the tutelage of Dr. Shi Xue Min, the “Godfather of Modern Acupuncture.”
My research on cerebral, neurological, and speech disorders led to the development of “Nanopuncture®,” a certification system that combines neuroscience and functional neurology with acupuncture in clinical practice.
Returning to New York, I founded The Shiu Clinic, where I refined Nanopuncture® to treat Parkinson’s, concussion, and Alzheimer’s dementia.
Currently, I am developing a palpation method for efficiently treating neurological conditions. As a lineage disciple in Wu style Taiji, this practice has guided my career. My work has been featured in Creative Success Now, Fix My Face, Concussion Discussions 2, and Brain Health Magazine.
Ayla Wolf, DAOM, L.Ac
Dr. Ayla Wolf, a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, is a leading specialist in neurological rehabilitation and author of the book, The Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces to Recovery. She hosts Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she is known for her integrative approach to treating complex conditions like post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury, dizziness, migraines, and dysautonomia.
As the founder of Healing Response Acupuncture & Functional Neurology in Stillwater Minnesota, Dr. Wolf combines applied clinical neuroscience with holistic therapies to deliver highly personalized care. She is as an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine at the Carrick Institute and speaks internationally on concussion recovery and brain health. She is involved in ongoing clinical research on the effects of acupuncture for post-traumatic headaches. Prior to living in Minnesota she served as the team acupuncturist for UFC and Legacy fighters at Fortis MMA in Dallas, Texas.
Explore Clayton Shiu’s work at Shiu Clinic, his blog, and Nanopuncture Seminars.
Discover Ayla Wolf’s work through her book and podcast, take her courses, and visit her Clinic.
She’s also on instagram. Follow Ayla Wolf insights and Tiktok. And subscribe to her YouTube Channel.
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