Our Office

Down to Earth Acupuncture Office

What Can I Expect From My Treatment At Down to Earth Acupuncture?
Every treatment at Down to Earth Acupuncture is individualized. Your visit will begin with a consultation with your acupuncturist, including questions about your main complaint and your general health. This will help to determine which acupuncture points or other treatments will be most useful for your condition.

Acupuncture needles are made of very fine stainless steel, which allows for minimal or no pain upon insertion. You may feel sensations around the acupuncture needles, such as itching, tingling, heaviness, or warmth. This is the result of the movement of energy in your body.

You will be treated while sitting in a recliner, in a community treatment room. Patients find the rooms to be quiet and relaxing. You will remain fully dressed for your acupuncture treatment. Please wear loose clothing to allow for access to the acupuncture points, as well as to promote an environment of relaxation.

Treatments last approximately one hour. You may feel calm or energized after the treatment.

What if I am Afraid of Needles?
Acupuncture needles are much thinner than the hypodermic needles at your doctor’s office. Most people find that their initial anxiety fades and they are able to relax once the needles are inserted. If you prefer a treatment without needles, please consider Chinese Herbal Medicine.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Your acupuncturist will consult with you about the number of treatments necessary for your condition, which will depend on the individual and the condition being treated. Although you may experience some effects immediately, such as relaxation and temporary pain relief, it may take 3-5 treatments to see initial benefits. Substantial improvement can require 10 or more treatments.

Most patients initially will need to come for treatments at least once a week, more often for severe conditions. As the condition improves, visits can lengthen to every other week or even once a month. Consistency is key in achieving maximum benefits.

What Kind of Training do Acupuncturists Receive?
Currently, to become a Licensed Acupuncturist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires a 3-year Master’s Degree, a clinical internship, and a national examination.

Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
Only a Licensed Acupuncturist with herbal training should prescribe Chinese Herbal Medicine. Our extensive training enables us to select suitable herbal formulas and to monitor our patients’ progress. Most patients experience no side effects. If there is a question of whether herbs are appropriate for a specific individual, or if there is a potential for interaction with Western medication, we will proceed with caution.

At Down to Earth Acupuncture, we only use herbs from suppliers who have committed to closely screening the quality of their products.

How Do I Schedule a Treatment?
Appointments are recommended. Walk ins are taken during regular office hours when space is available. To make an appointment, please use the ‘Book an appointment‘ page or, call our office at (508) 890-8899 to find a time that is convenient for you.

You can download our New Patient Welcome Packet for more information about our office. You may find it convenient to fill out the Health History Form in advance. Please arrive 15 minutes before your first appointment to complete the necessary paperwork.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please give us at least 24 hours notice.

Where Can I Learn More About Acupuncture?

  • Mayo Clinic
    A good overview of acupuncture from the staff at the Mayo Clinic.
  • National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
    A division of the National Institute of Health (NIH), this site provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions about acupuncture.
  • The People’s Organizati0n of Community Acupuncture (POCA)
    POCA is a cooperative made up of acupuncturists, patients, students, and other community members. Its goal is to make acupuncture affordable and accessible. There are currently over 200 Community Acupuncture clinics across the United States and internationally. The POCA website is a great resource to locate a Community Acupuncture practice, find out more information about Community Acupuncture, or become involved by joining as a member.

Weather Policy
In case of bad weather, if we make the decision to cancel our shift we will call the scheduled patients and leave an outgoing message on our answering machine. Every effort will be made to contact patients at least 2 hours before the start of the shift.

If our shift is open but you do not feel safe driving, please call the office and inform us as soon as possible. There are no fees for late cancellations due to weather.

Sickness Policy
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we ask that you review the following questions before your appointment:
In the past 24 hours, have you experienced any of the following new symptoms that you cannot attribute to another health condition?

Fever
Cough
Chills
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Muscle aches that aren’t caused by specific activity such as exercise
Headache
Loss of taste or smell
Diarrhea
Red/painful/itchy toes

Have you been in close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days? Close contact means being within 6 feet of a person for 15 minutes or more.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you will not be able to receive a treatment.