“Every time I leave the office after a treatment I feel so relieved, relaxed and renewed. I can’t wait to go back soon.”Ana, patient
Acupuncture in Norwood, MA Individualized care for pain, stress, and recovery
Yuanling Liu, L.Ac., has practiced acupuncture in Massachusetts since 2006. Every treatment is built around your body’s own pattern of imbalance, using fine, sterile needles to calm the nervous system, ease pain, and help you heal.
What is acupuncture?
An ancient therapy that helps the body heal itself
Acupuncture is an ancient healing modality from traditional Chinese medicine. Fine needles are placed in the skin at specific locations on the body, known as acupuncture points, to calm the nervous system, promote the flow of energy and blood, and assist the body’s healing and recovery.
At Yuanling Acupuncture, each treatment is individualized to the person. Two people with the same back pain can have very different patterns underneath it, so Yuanling treats the person, not just the symptom.
How it works
Qi, meridians, and balance
Qi, your vital energy
Chinese medicine holds that Qi (pronounced “chee”) flows throughout the body. It animates every function and protects you from illness, pain, and disease. Your health reflects the quality, quantity, and balance of your Qi.
Meridians carry it
Qi travels along pathways called meridians, like rivers running through the body. Where they flow freely, they nourish every cell, organ, gland, tissue, bone, and muscle.
When the flow is blocked
When Qi backs up, like water behind a dam, other areas go short of energy, blood, nutrients, and oxygen. That can lead to inflammation, pain, and weakness, and the body loses its balance.
Acupuncture works on those pathways directly. Needles placed at specific points can calm the nervous system, clear the obstruction, and let Qi circulate freely again, so your body can do its own healing.
Your treatment
What happens during an acupuncture treatment
Your first visit is 90 minutes, so there is time to talk through your health history and what you want help with. Follow-up visits are about an hour.
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A look at the whole picture
Yuanling first evaluates your body’s energetic system to identify your specific pattern and where Qi is out of balance. That pattern, not just the symptom, guides the treatment.
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Fine needles at chosen points
She places fine, sterile needles at acupuncture points along your meridian pathways. Insertion is safe and gentle.
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Rest while Qi circulates
With the needles in place, you rest comfortably while your nervous system calms. Most people find it deeply relaxing.
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Guidance for between visits
Yuanling helps you understand the energetics of your body and gives you direction on lifestyle and eating habits that support your healing. When it will help, she adds a custom herbal formula.
A case of inspiration
Back to life, and sleeping peacefully
53 years old J, works as an electrician, came to the office with lower back pain and walked gingerly due to the pain traveling down to the lower leg, and feeling exhausted from poor sleep.
When he woke up at the end of the first acupuncture treatment, pain was 60% better, and 4 treatments later, he was back to life and sleeping peacefully.
He shared his understanding of how acupuncture works:
“It’s like you helped my body to reconnect the wires, so electricity can circulate smoothly, and you asked me to drink enough water, eat properly, take time to de-stress and sleep, so there are a healthy source of electricity supply to my body. Now I have the lights on and all the systems are working again in my body.”
One patient’s experience. Results vary from person to person.
Conditions
What acupuncture can help with
Acupuncture is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of pain conditions, digestion, and allergies. It has gained widespread use around the world because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
Back, neck, and sciatic pain
Arthritis and nerve pain
Allergies and sinus problems
Migraines and headaches
Fertility and women's health
Stress, anxiety, and sleep
Digestive health
Acupuncture is also used for quitting smoking, weight loss, and support during cancer treatment.
Acupuncture that takes your insurance
We are in-network with major insurance plans. After scheduling, you can provide your insurance information, and we can verify your benefits before your appointment.
We accept BlueCross BlueShield, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Aetna, and Harvard Pilgrim. If you are not sure whether your plan covers acupuncture, call us and we will help you find out.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, much finer than a needle used for a shot or a blood draw. Most people feel a light tap or a brief tingle as a needle goes in, then a dull, heavy, or warm sensation. Many patients relax so much they fall asleep on the table.
What if I am afraid of needles? Can I still try acupuncture?
Yes. For kids, infants, or anyone who is very sensitive to needles, we can do the treatment with acupressure on the points instead.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes, when it is done by a licensed practitioner. Yuanling has been licensed in Massachusetts since 2006 and uses fine, sterile needles. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild, such as slight soreness or a small bruise where a needle was placed.
How many treatments will I need?
It depends on what you are treating, how long you have had it, and how your body responds. Some people notice a change after one or two visits. Long-standing conditions usually take a series. Yuanling will talk through a plan with you at your first visit.
How long is a visit?
Your first visit is 90 minutes, which includes time to talk through your health history. Follow-up visits are about an hour.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Many plans do. We accept BlueCross BlueShield, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Aetna, and Harvard Pilgrim, and we can verify your benefits before your appointment. See pricing and insurance for rates.
What should I wear?
Loose, comfortable clothing that rolls up easily above the elbows and knees. It also helps to eat a light meal beforehand rather than coming in on an empty stomach.
Ready to try acupuncture?
Whether it is pain, stress, allergies, or you just want to feel more like yourself again, we would be glad to help. Booking online takes a minute.