Acupuncture [back to top]

Trained in both Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture, I do a complete intake and diagnosis and share my thoughts with you on what I see and how long it will take to address your health care concern. I take my time, seeing only one person in my office at at time and make sure that you have a positive and informative experience. I am happy to answer all your questions both before and after the treatment. The nature of acupuncture therapy is a process of re-balancing--symptoms are viewed as evidence that the body is out of balance. An acupuncturist works with the body's innate ability to heal--inherent in that process is a time factor. Nature takes time--to grow a tree, a baby and to heal. Western medicine has created the expectation that cures are often quick. The right pill, and you'll be better. Acupuncture recognizes that to heal the illness, rather than suppress the symptoms, it takes time. Therefore a series of treatments is necessary (between 6-10, sometimes longer). The result can be permanent, and can mean an end to taking medication for some patients.

Moon River Acupuncture also offers a Community Acupuncture Clinic, for those who are open to being treated in a group setting instead of a private office.

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture [back to top]

I am a certified practitioner of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, which required completion of a comprehensive training in auricular (ear) acupuncture, and a ten month curriculum in addiction behavior and treatments. I participated in two supervised internships over one year at the Dimock Community Health Center in Jamaica Plain, MA and the Wellness Center in Boston, MA.

I use ear acupuncture to treat depression, anxiety and addictions. These conditions are complex, and positive changes are unlikely to be permanent unless other support services, such as counseling, are also in place. Auricular acupuncture, in conjunction with other support services can dramatically reduce recovery time.

Ear acupuncture can also be used to supplement treatments for other kinds of conditions.

Moxibustion
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Moxa is an herb that has been used for its therapeutic effect for thousands of years. It is made from the crushed leaves of the plant artemesia vulgaris. Its special properties are very effective in relation to acupuncture. Many conditions people have are caused by "cold" becoming lodged in a meridian (energy pathway), causing pain and/or fatigue. Moxa is an effective method to add heat to the meridian and eliminate the cold. Moxa also moves the "qi" or energy, in places where it is stuck, and builds up the "yang" energy of the body, part of which acts to strengthen the immune system. Moxa therapy is soothing and enjoyable. Although the herb is burned, you are not! Depending on your diagnosis, moxa therapy may or may not be appropriate. Due to the smoke produced by moxa, I do not use it in the clinic setting, but only in my private office.

Cupping & Guasha&[back to top]

Cupping is also a very traditional healing tool, used all over the world, not just in Asia. Cupping is appropriate for pain and the early signs of a cold. Pain causes a contraction of the muscles, and this in turn results in less blood and oxygen flowing to a particular area. The blood in the contracted area tends to stagnate, causing more discomfort. Cupping is an effective method for moving the stagnant blood out of the area and allowing new blood and oxygen to come in to heal the tissue. This is a painless process that involves applying suction cups to the affected area. Sound too silly to work? Maybe, but it does! The suction also works to relieve the early signs of a cold. In Chinese medicine, the "bug" is thought to enter the superficial layers of the body first (just under the skin)--when you feel aches and chills and fatigue, but not the runny nose or sore throat--yet. At this time, when the "bug" is not yet deep in your system, the suction cups are able to withdraw or "expel" the pathogen from the superficial layer of the body. Cups also work great to clear congested lungs from colds or asthma.

Guasha is the systematic stroking of the skin using a smooth object with a thin layer of lubricant on the surface of the skin. Guasha works effectively to move stagnant blood in the muscles (showing up as pain) on the back and shoulders. Quick and easy to do, it can be an effective, permanent pain reliever.