Ancient Wisdom Treats Modern Diseases

Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a clinically proven medical modality for treating a variety of ailments. It is one branch of the Chinese medicine system that has been used for at least 2000 years. Acupuncture uses needles in a specific combination at select points to treat illness, prevent disease, and improve well-being. Sounds crazy, eh? It is truly amazing how inserting stainless needles in specific locations can have significant beneficial effects on our bodies!

There are thousands of styles of acupuncture.  I liken an acupuncture needle to a paintbrush.  You cannot say, “I tried acupuncture,” but it didn’t work.   That is the equivalent of stating, “I saw a painting and wasn’t impressed,”  and then making a judgment that all paintings are unimpressive.  Many factors go into making an acupuncture treatment a successful therapy for you.  Obvious ones are, of course, the practitioner’s skill and depth of their toolbox.  Also meaningful is the patient/practitioner relationship – how well do you connect?    Some people also respond to certain styles better than others.

 

What are the needles like?
All of us acupuncturists nowadays use only FDA-approved sterile disposable needles. They are used only once.  These needles are carefully manufactured under the guidance of the FDA and carry close to zero risk of infection. Some people are afraid of acupuncture needles because of their experience with hypodermic needles, which are designed to tear through skin and blood vessels. Acupuncture needles are designed to penetrate the skin at a shallow depth.   The needles I use range in gauge from 26 to 30 gauge.  Other acupuncture practitioners such as those who practice Japanese acupuncture styles (which I used to do) use 36-40 gauge needles.

How many needles do you use, and where do you put them?
The number of needles and location depend on the style used.  Since January 2018, 99% of my treatments have been an amazingly effective Korean style called Saam, which typically uses four needles per treatment.  But sometimes I’ll use a Tung-style treatment for pain conditions that can have from 3-8 needles.   But most treatments typically use four needles but hardly ever more than 8.   All the points in the Saam system are distal from the elbows and knees down.  These are the only points mentioned in the Classic Huang Di Nei Jing.

Does acupuncture hurt?
In my practice style, you may feel the needle penetrate the skin.  But once the needle is inserted and you settle on the table there should not be any more discomfort and people typically settle into deep relaxation..  You may feel a sensation of warmth, heaviness, or energy moving through the body or at the needle site. The vast majority of people, even those who were afraid of acupuncture, find the experience very relaxing and rejuvenating.

What conditions do you treat?
Even the most chronic conditions are worth trying three treatments to determine benefit.  I have been amazed at the changes that happened before my eyes with only four needles.  Our bodies have amazing healing capabilities when given the correct input, and I see miracles every day.  (One thing I have not had much success with is tinnitus.  If your only complaint is tinnitus, then I am not your person.)  However, if you have several other complaints besides tinnitus then often patients experience other improvement in health.

The standard line you find on many acupuncture websites, including mine, is:

  • The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as effective for a variety of ailments, some of which include:
    General: Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis, Headaches, TMJ, Back Pain, Sciatica, Musculoskeletal Problems, Insomnia, Anxiety, Dizziness, Depression, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Addictions, Indigestion, Constipation, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Operative Recovery, Palliative Care.
    Women’s Health: Menstrual Irregularities, Menopause, Conception Difficulties, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation Difficulties, Postpartum, Ovarian and Uterine Problems.
    Men’s Health: Prostate, Infertility, Impotence.
    Preventative Health: Prevention, Stress Management, Wellness, Seasonal Attunement.

I do have special interest and excellent results with the following conditions:

  • Digestive issues such as IBS, colitis, gas, bloating
  • Anxiety
  • Gynecological Imbalances
  • Fatigue including CFS
  • Maternal Health, especially during pregnancy and post-partum care
  • Pain management, especially of the lower back, neck and shoulders
  • Men’s urogenital and sexual health

How does acupuncture work?
That is the million-dollar question.  Modern research is currently attempting to uncover the physiological effect of acupuncture, and one theory suggests that it affects the tensegrity of our facial tissue.  The fascia is a three-dimensional matrix of tissue that covers our entire body, and recent research has shown that it contains intricate inter-cellular signaling. Over 80% of all major acupuncture points lie within fascial boundaries between muscles and bones, and certain meridian systems directly correspond with fascial planes.

What should I wear?
You should wear comfortable clothing. You can wear baggy pants or sweats on the bottom and a comfortable shirt on top. I often tell my patients to leave a pair of shorts in the car and change in the room.

How many sessions do I need, and how often should I get treated?
Each person is different in terms of frequency and duration of treatment. For acute conditions, you may come in twice weekly until the main issues are resolved, hopefully not more than 2-3 weeks.  For chronic conditions, typically, it is 1x/week for several weeks, and then we re-evaluate. It depends on your condition and overall health, and I’ll be able to give you a more accurate answer after your first treatment.

It is important to note that 10 people can come in with the same Western complaint above, and each one gets a different treatment based on their presentation.  That is the beauty of the Saam acupuncture system, as it restores function in a body rather than treating it based on a named disease.

How long does a session last?
Each follow-up session, including intake, is usually about 45-55 minutes. Your initial comprehensive session, which includes intake and treatment, will typically last at least 90 minutes.

How much does acupuncture cost?
The normal fee for acupuncture is $80-90 per session, depending on how many times per week you need to be treated and the complexity of the case.  The initial session is an additional $100 for the comprehensive intake.
Since I am a licensed dietitian, acupuncture sessions almost always include a discussion about diet and nutrition which is a cornerstone to good health. Each session is much more than just inserting needles as diet, lifestyle, supplements and herbal remedies are often prescribed.

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
I am a preferred provider for all Massachusetts plans that contract with acupuncturists as preferred providers. Currently, those plans are: Aetna, United,  BCBS, HPHC, Tufts, BMC-Masshealth, MGB,Fallon.   If you have insurance coverage with one of these plans, they are billed directly, and you are responsible for copay.

All acupuncture treatments are covered under pre-tax health savings accounts. You can use health savings plan credit cards or submit superbills for all acupuncture visits.

Find out how you can benefit from acupuncture by making a free 15 minute consultation appointment. Call 978-461-2001.

*”I didn’t even tell George anything was wrong. Yet he knew my symptoms just by checking my tongue and pulse. I was sold. Since starting treatment for fatigue, my energy has been steadily increasing and I’m functioning at a steadily higher level. As a single mom, this is vitally important.”
Janet B, Maynard, MA

*These testimonials do not imply that similar results will happen for you by using our services. The testimonials displayed in the text are shown verbatim and in their full length, and no compensation was received in return.

Skip to content