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Acupuncture is an ancient practice of medicine that originated over 2,500 years ago in China and continues to be one of the standard therapies used today. Acupuncture is rooted in the belief that energy flow, called qi ("chee"), moves through the body along 12 main channels known as meridians. Acupuncture directs qi to create balance and health. In more modern terms, our body's connective tissue, aka fascia, helps keep our bodies balanced with a complex neural net of signaling to the brain and spinal cord. Placing acupuncture needles in specific areas of the body activates the neural net and creates/restores balance and health. At AcuBoston, we bring this ancient knowledge to modern healing. Curious to learn more? Email or call for a complimentary consultation to determine how acupuncture can help you.

While laser and light therapies (LLTs) may sound exotic, you’ve actually been taking part in laser and light therapy your whole life. Think about the beautiful feeling of basking in the sun’s natural warmth – that’s laser and light therapy! What’s different is that unlike sunbathing, LLTs do not emit harmful rays. They are an excellent complement to acupuncture and help increase blood circulation, regulate nerve activity to relieve pain, improve lymphatic system activity, and quicken tissue regeneration in wound healing. At AcuBoston, we administer laser and light therapy in measured doses using specific tools like Luminex Laser and Joovv Red Light Therapy. The light emitted by these tools stimulates the body’s anti-inflammatory response and promotes healing. Laser and light therapy are complementary with acupuncture treatments and we are happy to discuss them with you at any point in your treatment.

When people hear the word “sauna,” they tend to think of an experience they need to endure rather than enjoy – sweating, suffering, and counting down the minutes until their time is over. The Sunlighten infrared sauna is different. Unlike traditional unbearably hot, steamy saunas that are hard to breathe in, the Sunlighten sauna’s infrared rays provide a soothing, healthy heat that helps eliminate toxins and supports the healing process. Like the infrared heat used to warm newborn infants, the infrared sauna’s rays gently penetrate tissues without burning and heat the body directly at the core, providing a comfortable, gentle heat that is enjoyable for the entire session. The deep, detoxifying sweat complements acupuncture in removing toxins at the cellular level. Sauna treatments can also be scheduled as sessions on their own. Book your Sunlighten sauna session through our website for an experience that will leave you feeling invigorated, light, and energized.

First, let me ask you: Did you know that aspirin originated from weeping willow bark and only later became chemically synthesized? Or that many herbal formulas include common cooking ingredients, such as ginger, licorice, turmeric, and mint? It’s true! In Chinese Herbal Medicine, “food is medicine,” a philosophy over 2,000 years old. Whereas conventional medicines are pharma(cology) strong, Chinese herbal formulas are farm strong. At AcuBoston, we customize herbal formulas to remedy symptoms ranging from cold and flu ailments, breathing issues, and digestive problems to infertility in all genders and menopausal symptoms. We typically include 3 to 15 herbs and/or minerals, which you can take as capsules or brew into teas. Ancient and Modern Medicine can complement one another, but NEITHER should substitute the other. Please do NOT discontinue doctor-prescribed meds, and please DO inform your herbalist about meds you take to ensure unintentional medical interactions.

Acupuncture is about becoming attuned to your body and mind and the healing process takes time. Similar to how children seem to grow significantly, yet their parents don’t notice, acupuncture relief is gradual and not immediately apparent. In your initial consultation at AcuBoston, we’ll determine a course of treatment at a frequency that aligns with your particular set of symptoms. For acute pain, we’ll suggest more frequent visits until your symptoms subside. For chronic, less acute issues, we’ll typically suggest 6-8 weekly visits. In all cases, we’ll continue to check in with you about how you feel physically and emotionally and adjust treatments accordingly. Clients who follow their recommended course of treatment report better sleep, better digestion, and, in the case of pain, a gradual relief from what hurts. Others feel more energized and focused. What’s important to remember is that each person’s journey is their own and we will help get you to the other side.

As a general rule, it's best to separate bodywork and acupuncture by 48 hours. Spacing appointments gives your body a chance to 'digest' each treatment. The only exception to this rule is during an acute injury. For example, at AcuBoston, we had a patient with acute lower back pain from falling off a horse. She came to see me the next day after her injury to reduce her pain. After her pain decreased from 10 to 3, she could tolerate lying down on a massage table, she went to see a massage therapist that afternoon for further adjustments to her back. The result: she was back in the saddle at a horse show the following weekend pain-free!

The goal of every acupuncture treatment is to balance your body and soul. Even if you are getting treated for shoulder pain, your acupuncturist will include acupuncture points that will help relax you, calm your parasympathetic system (aka fight-or-flight response), and engage your sympathetic system (aka rest-and-restore response). When you are fully relaxed and not guarded, your heart might give you permission to get in touch with the feelings that have been buried deep inside. Some patients embrace these emotions and find them therapeutic . Others feel that such feelings are too tiring and exhausting and they would prefer not to feel that way after acupuncture. For the latter, please be sure to tell you acupuncturist how you feel so that they can adjust their treatment. The beauty of acupuncture is that it can be 100% tailored to your needs!

Your doctor’s ability to recommend acupuncture depends mainly on their training. Doctors trained primarily in Western-style medicine tend to take a hard-science approach. Since research on acupuncture is fairly new or based in Europe and Asia, they are yet too cautious to recommend acupuncture. Some doctors have incorporated acupuncture into their practice after pursuing certified training and administering acupuncture themselves. Some oncology treatment teams include an acupuncturist who focuses on alleviating symptoms from chemo and radiation. Some fertility specialists incorporate acupuncture into their practice as well. At AcuBoston, we are committed to working cooperatively with your doctor in treating your symptoms. We can partner with your doctor to incorporate acupuncture to aid in what ails you.

Second only to fear of needles is the fear that parking at our practice is difficult, given we are located in Brookline. The good news is that parking isn't a problem; we offer parking right outside the door of our office!

AcuBoston, Inc. accepts insurance. To check if your insurance benefits include acupuncture, please contact us and we can verify your level of coverage. Verification of benefits usually takes place within 24-48 hours. If your health insurance does not cover acupuncture services or we cannot verify your coverage prior to your visit, per visit fees apply, which you can see on our website. We also offer packages of services for acupuncture. In addition, we offer laser treatment and herbal consults, which can be combined with acupuncture, or offered separately.

The number one barrier to exploring acupuncture is the idea that it hurts. At AcuBoston, we prefer to discuss The Experience of Acupuncture, with a focus on sensation rather than pain. Needles are thin and small, and we take time to insert them calmly and gently. Often you won't feel when they’re inserted. Once a needle reaches its intended depth, you may feel a mild, dull ache or a slight tingling, signifying activation at the acupuncture point. You may also feel warmth, heaviness, or an electric sensation at acupuncture points. Of course, "your mileage may vary," depending on your pain threshold and overall sensitivity. For some patients, the first treatment feels more intense because energy points are being activated for the first time, later treatments less. The key way to mitigate discomfort? Communication. A thorough intake process that involves listening to your experience with pain and check-ins during treatment ensure a healing, not hurtful experience.

Acupuncture literally means “to puncture with a needle.” Needles are inserted through the skin at points along the body’s meridians (energy channels) and site-specific areas for certain diseases and disorders. But acupuncture is more than needles! Moxibustion, the burning of select herbs on or over the skin, is often paired with needling to correct imbalances and restore health. The combination treats and relieves symptoms for a wide range of diseases and conditions. At AcuBoston, we incorporate Laser and Light Therapies to treat ailments related to post-trauma and post-surgery inflammation, fractures, and wounds. Patients seeking to improve skin conditions also find laser and light treatment helpful, as have clients who've sought to reduce pain pre- and post-dental procedures. No two acupuncture treatments are alike. All treatments are tailored to your specific needs and can change over time. Visit our website to learn more about the therapies we use.