We have a big change coming up this month! We will be changing our business name from River Valley Acupuncture to Down to Earth Acupuncture.

Why the change? River Valley is a name that Emily began using when she was treating in a private-room setting. As we transitioned to practicing community acupuncture, we began to feel the need for a name that better reflected the community acupuncture philosophy. We think that Down to Earth better conveys the impression of a welcoming, comfortable community space.

What else will change? Business cards, brochures, and office forms will all have the new name. Our website will be updated and our signs will need to be replaced.

Everything else will stay the same. Same business owner, acupuncturists and location, and same affordable care!

This also means that our River Valley t-shirts are becoming collector’s items! We still have a few shifts left, in Women’s and Men’s sizes Large and XLarge (Women’s run small). We will sell these t-shirts for just $5 per shirt, until they’re gone.

When will the change take place? It may take several months before everything is completely changed over. Our revised website should be up by April 16, and we will probably start answering the phones with the new name for our May 1 May Day celebration (see below for more information).

It might be confusing for a short time, but we are very excited about the new name!

Join us for our 3rd annual May Day celebration. In honor of International Workers’ Day, we are offering free acupuncture for everyone!

All are welcome, whether you are a new patient or you have been coming for years!

Treatments will take place on Tuesday, May 1 from 2:30pm-6:30pm. Appointments are strongly recommended. Walk ins will be taken on a space-available basis.

Treatments on May 1 will last for approximately 45 minutes, so that we can serve as many people as possible. If your normal appointment usually falls on a Tuesday, you have the option to come in for the May Day celebration, or reschedule for another day.

Please help us spread the word!

We have great new artwork in our office by Jackie Penny, the author and illustrator of the children’s book Goodnight Worcester. On display are the original watercolors from the book, which are beautiful scenes depicting Worcester landmarks like Union Station, Shrewsbury Street, and the Worcester Public Library.

Jackie wrote Goodnight Worcester for her own children. Because of the sentimental value, this artwork is not for sale and it has never before been displayed in public. This may be your only chance to view the original watercolors in person, so stop into the office to see them soon!

For the rest of March and all of April, we will be offering a $10 first treatment for new patients who book on Friday. Please tell your friends!

This offer is for Friday appointments only (morning or evening shift), and is limited to the patient’s first visit.

To schedule an appointment, call the office at (508) 890-8899.

We are doing another moxa class on March 17 for those of you who couldn’t make the first one.

Moxa, short for moxabustion, is a Chinese herb that is used externally to warm acupuncture points and channels. It’s a treatment that you can take home to use on yourself for a number of different conditions, such as joint and muscle pain and stiffness, fertility and menstrual issues, weak immune system, skin disorders, and fatigue.

Come to our class to learn about moxa and how to use it to improve your health.

Date: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Time: 9:00-9:45am
Location: River Valley Acupuncture
Cost: Free
Optional materials fee (1 moxa stick): $2.13

Registration is required in advance and is limited to 10 people (minimum 4 people to run the class). Register by calling the office at (508) 890-8899.

On Wednesday, February 8 from 3:30-6:30pm (Ellen’s shift), we will be holding a fundraiser for Abby’s House of Worcester.

All proceeds from acupuncture treatments during this shift will be donated directly to Abby’s House. In addition, we will have a donation jar out in our waiting room for the entire week, so that you can still donate, even if you can’t make it on the 8th.

Abby’s House is a local Worcester service organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to women and children. We will have brochures available in the office so that you can find out more information about the programs your donation is supporting. Also check out their website for details, or to donate online.

To make an appointment, call the office at (508) 890-8899, or use the online scheduling link on our website.

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this information on to your friends and family.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Our walls are now brightened by the photography of Wes Nickel. Wes’ landscape art is in our waiting area and both treatment rooms (my favorite is the birdhouse picture). He also does landscape art, sports art, and portrait sessions. Here is a statement from Wes:

I have been doing photography most of my life. My first camera was a Canon AE1 given to me by my dad. I took all the courses I could in college which increased my interest in photography. My favorite subjects to photograph are nature and sports (thanks to my kids). I hope you enjoy looking at my photos as much as I enjoy taking them.

Wes doesn’t have a website, so you will have to come into the office to see his work. Thanks, Wes, for loaning us your beautiful photos!

Moxa, short for moxabustion, is a Chinese herb that is used externally to warm acupuncture points and channels. It’s a treatment that you can take home to use on yourself for a number of different conditions, such as joint and muscle pain and stiffness, fertility and menstrual issues, weak immune system, skin disorders, and fatigue.

Winter is the perfect time to do moxa treatments (though it can be used at any time of year). Come to our class to learn about moxa and how to use it to improve your health.

Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012 (snow date January 28)
Time: 9:00-9:45am
Location: River Valley Acupuncture
Cost: Free
Optional materials fee (1 moxa stick): $2.13

Registration is required in advance and is limited to 10 people. Register by calling the office at (508) 890-8899.

Emily’s article about how to find a holistic health practitioner on a budget was recently featured on MassMoms.com. Read the full text here.

Do you know someone who still hasn’t tried acupuncture at River Valley?

For the rest of the month, we are offering a 2-for-1 deal on Fridays:
If a returning patient brings in a new patient on a Friday in December, the cost is just $20 for both treatments!

You can bring in as many new patients as you want and continue to get the deal for the rest of this year!

Fine Print:
Remember, a patient is only “new” for their first visit—after that, treatments are at the regular sliding scale. This deal is for Fridays only, and you can choose either the morning shift with Emily or the evening shift with Marina. Make sure to mention the special when you come in.