Acupuncture

“Because I was simply enjoying a ‘free sample’ of acupuncture, 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 Beatrice, Maynard, MA

Acupuncture is a proven medicine modality for treating a variety of ailments. It is a part of the larger package of Chinese Medicine used for at least 2000 years. Chinese medicine is a comprehensive system that also consists of self-cultivation (Chi Kung and martial arts including TaiChi), herbal medicine, nutritional therapies, massage (TuiNa or Shiatsu in Japan) and meditation. There are more styles of acupuncture than there are languages in the world. I practice the “Kiiko” style acupuncture developed by my teacher Kiiko Matsumoto as well as a Tung style from Taiwan handed down through many generations.

For treatments I use micro-thin, disposable, sterilized needles inserted into specific points on the skin. While there is a some controversy over precisely what these points represent, there is no question that working with them can create powerful healing. In Chinese medicine, the points lie along pathways called “meridians.” Modern research is currently attempting to uncover the physiology of these meridians, and one theory suggests that they lie along the fascial planes of the body. 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. Because the vast majority of my needle insertions are shallow, going no deeper than the superficial fascia. It is the belief of many that the meridians set down some 2000 years ago do correspond to the fascia system.

Acupuncture adjusts and stimulates your healing energy to improve the health of your inner (organ function) or outer (musculoskeletal) body. Acupuncture performed correctly helps bring the body back into homeostasis, or balance. Acupuncture is adaptogenic, meaning that it helps the body adapt to different stresses and to generally normalize its functions. For the majority of people, the treatment is so relaxing that at some point they’ll fall asleep.

As part of your treatment I sometimes use an herb known as artemesia vulgaris (Mugwort) or moxabustion. This helps to stimulate certain points or to warm an area. I’ll also use electro acupuncture for certain pain conditions as well as cupping for back pain. Since I love using my hands as a tool for healing, I often practice an Asian bodywork technique known as TuiNa for back, neck or extremity pain. For anyone who is anxious or sensitive about acupuncture needles, I offer massage, magnets and moxabustion as alternatives, all of which are also very beneficial and effective when used on acupuncture points.

People that are afraid of needles often respond to their first needle with “oh that’s it!?!”. Acupuncture needles are very different than hypodermic needles which have teeth to cut through skin and are 10-20x as thick! I offer a free consultation and if you come for a treatment and realize that acupuncture isn’t for you then there is no charge. So there is nothing to lose by trying out acupuncture and only your health to gain.

Please call the office to schedule a free consultation. 978-461-2001.

Insurance: As a Licensed Acupuncturist George Mandler will bill Aetna and United HealthCare if your plan has acupuncture coverage. For other insurance plans that cover acupuncture he will provide you with a Superbill that you can submit for reimbursement. Please check your individual plan for your acupuncture benefits as coverage can vary within the same insurance carrier.