In January of this year, I radically changed my business model– from private room to community acupuncture. Now, almost a year has passed and I am thrilled that I made the switch. I feel truly blessed to be doing work I love and I owe a huge thank you to the people who made it possible.

Thank you to Acupuncturists Without Borders, Working Class Acupuncture, and the Community Acupuncture Network for making community acupuncture possible in the United States. Of course, thank you to my friends and family who provided the moral support– and sometimes the heavy lifting. And most importantly, thank you to my wonderful patients whose faith and loyalty have made my community practice thrive!

I am wishing all of you the very best this holiday season. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Not surprisingly, the #1 answer to my poll question “Why Don’t More People Try Acupuncture” was: “They Don’t Know Enough About It.” This answer combined with the #4 answer, “They Don’t Think It Will Work” (which I see as an extension of #1), accounted for over half of all responses.

The survey participants confirmed what I see to be the biggest challenge facing the acupuncture profession today– not enough people are aware of how acupuncture can help them.

Of course, providing that information is a major part of why I write this blog (and have a Twitter account, a Facebook account, and do speaking engagements whenever I’m asked). But one person, even with the amplification of the internet, can’t reach everyone. This is why I’m hoping that each person who reads this article will share the information.

Here’s what your friends, family, and colleagues need to know:
1. What acupuncture can treat. You’ll find a partial list here. Acupuncture is appropriate for most non-emergency conditions (although in China it is sometimes used for emergencies as well).
2. The benefits of acupuncture. In addition to being effective for many conditions, acupuncture is all natural, safe, and virtually side-effect free (you might come away with an occasional bruise).
3. Who should try acupuncture. Many people prefer to start off with the least invasive treatment– sometimes drugs or surgery are not the only option. If you know someone who is seeking a natural treatment strategy or even someone who has tried many kinds of treatments without success (I see that a lot), these folks would be good candidates for acupuncture.

What if someone wants more information before making a decision? I offer free telephone consultations (508-890-8899), or they can contact me through the website.

Thanks for spreading the word!

This week I sent out the first issue of River Valley’s e-newsletter. It contains news about what’s going on in the office, health news, and health tips (this month’s was about staying healthy during cold and flu season). I hope everyone who received it enjoyed it!

If you would like to sign up for future editions, please contact us.