Acupuncture is a word that often scares people off due to its association with needles. In reality, however, acupuncture is a gentle healing medicine that has been around significantly longer than our current Western Medical model (debatably 3,000-5,000 years compared to only a few hundred!). With its beginnings in China, it has expanded across a multitude of countries and began to gain its notoriety in the United States in the 1970s when a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from the New York Times, James Reston, suffered from appendicitis while accompanying Richard Nixon on a trip to China. He was given acupuncture to deal with his post-operative pain which was so effective for him that he wrote about it upon his return to the US prompting a newfound curiosity in the ancient healing art. In 1996 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical devices and a FDA study estimated that there are approximately 12 million acupuncture visits completed per year in the US. At Island Acupuncture & Assoc, Inc. we treat all ages, children to adults year-round on our beautiful island. We strive for gentle, relaxing treatments where many fall asleep or find a profound sense of relaxation. We love what we do and are happy to talk about it, so please call us if you have more specific questions. We look forward to setting your mind at ease about the safe, comfortable, and healing effect that this magnificent medicine has to offer!

Modern Western research shows that acupuncture works by activating the nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that reduce pain and inflammation, enhance circulation, and regulate immune function. Studies also suggest acupuncture helps modulate the brain’s pain perception and supports the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, making it an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions.

As we all know, our bodies are comprised of many “systems”. Well-known systems are the skeletal (bone), muscular, circulatory (heart and blood vessels), and nervous systems. In the realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we also believe there is a meridian system or a network of channels that courses through our bodies connecting us from head to toe. Much like blood courses through veins, we believe that there is an energy called “Qi” that runs through the meridians. We believe that if that energy is blocked for whatever reason (physical or emotional traumas and stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc.) it can cause faulty workings or disharmony within the body resulting in whatever ailment someone presents with.

Imagine a free-flowing river. In the area around the river, the fish are jumping, the grass is green, flowers are blooming, and you may want to spend a leisurely day enjoying the beauty of a nearby picnic area. If however, some beavers build a dam in the middle of the river, homes behind the dam are flooded, the picnic area is full of water and mosquitos, flowers beyond the dam have died from lack of nourishment and basically, the entirety of the river banks and surrounding areas are unhealthy, out of balance, and not an area you want to stay and enjoy. The same thing happens within our bodies when channels are blocked or don’t have enough energy. We feel unwell, out of balance, and may experience pain or discomfort.

Acupuncture is kind of like putting a stick of dynamite in the beaver dam. Once the dam is removed, the river can flow normally and return the area to a picture of serenity. In the office, acupuncture needles (or Small Diameter Energizers/SDE’s as we like to call them are inserted into strategic points that correlate to your specific blockages which allows an opening of those blockages, optimizes the functioning of the body, and aids in the return of a more normalized state of health and wellbeing.

The study of Acupuncture is lengthy and intense. A nationally licensed and board-certified Acupuncturist often receives “dry needling” training while in university and must achieve a minimum of a 3-4 year post-graduate Master’s degree which requires >2500 hours of hands-on, clinical, and didactic practice assessing anatomy, depth of various tissues and organs, depth of needling, angles of needle insertion, and safe needle handling techniques for optimal patient safety and comfort. Acupuncturists even need to pass a national “Clean Needle Technique” exam to show competency in the safe handling of needles. Alternatively, most dry needling courses for those without an Acupuncture degree are approximately 16 hours or less, many of which are coursework/lecture-based without actual or very limited hands-on needling training. Dry needling (eliciting a spasm in a motor point of a muscle to relax the muscle), tends to be more painful and needles are inserted much deeper than that of Traditional Acupuncture. Both use standard acupuncture needles, there is no difference, except that many Acupuncturists, including myself, use needles that are much thinner and “body-friendly” than that of dry needle practitioners without an Acupuncture background. While both can be effective, the technique of an Acupuncturist, the knowledge as to the depth of critical organs below the skin, and a true understanding of how the trigger/motor or Acupuncture points work can only be known by a licensed Acupuncturist. Unfortunately, I have had many clients who have experienced dry needling from other practitioners and often find it very painful, potentially dangerous, and an unpleasant experience. Please don’t let this be a deterrent to trying Acupuncture! Acupuncture with a nationally board-certified practitioner can be incredibly different, effective, and even a pleasant experience! Fortunately, Dr. Tammy has had extensive training in anatomy both from a Western and Eastern point of view, dry needling training under the tutelage of skilled Acupuncture practitioners, ongoing continuing education coursework, and many years of ongoing successful clinic experience to ensure your safety.

While everyone responds differently, Acupuncture treatment plans can be similar to that of your local chiropractor or physical therapist. Treatments done closer together at the onset of an issue or illness encourage faster healing and remind the body not to slide back into its patterns of holding onto pain or irregularities. Younger people typically respond faster and with fewer visits, and illness and pain that is acute or new will require less treatment than longer-standing conditions. Rest assured, it is our goal to get you out of acute pain/illness or discomfort as fast as possible to allow you to enjoy life!

Rest assured, acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed, Nationally Board-Certified and appropriately trained practitioner. While the traditional tool of our trade is a sterile, single-use only, disposable needle, we here at Island Acupuncture & Assoc, Inc. like to refer to them as SDEs or “small diameter energizers”. When needles are initially inserted, there may be a slight sensation, but once the SDE is in, it should be very comfortable and not have any pain associated with it. Instead, things commonly felt are a heaviness, a warming sensation, something you can’t describe, a referred sensation (ie. A SDE in the leg may produce a mild sensation in the shoulder), a radiating sensation, or most commonly, nothing at all. All are very normal. We strive for comfort in our clinic and clients always are given a means of access to our practitioner and treatments are often accompanied by soft music of your choice, heat lamps, and individual, private treatment spaces to rest, relax and rejuvenate.

An initial visit begins with a private one-on-one discussion with our Acupuncturist about your current health needs, your past medical history, previous and attempted treatments, and your goals for treatment. Our practitioner will perform some diagnostic testing consisting of a traditional pulse reading and possibly an evaluation of your tongue, and a treatment plan will then be established to maximize your healing. The initial treatment begins on day 1 and recommendations will be made for herbal prescriptions/supplements/etc. as needed to enhance the speed and efficacy of your treatment.

Comfort, relaxation, and peaceful healing. Again, everyone’s response is different. Some folks feel extremely energized after a visit while others find a state of deep relaxation during and after a session. Because our bodies function as one machine, you may also experience decreased pain, improved sense of well-being, improved sleep, improved digestion, and clarity after treatment.

This is my favorite question! Unlike Western medication which often comes with a list of undesirable side effects to watch for, generally, the side effects that we see with Acupuncture are for the better! Our clients consistently tell us they may feel a sense of “Acu-fog” or a sense of light floating directly after treatments that is a pleasant reminder of their relaxation in the treatment room, increased energy, increased depth and duration of sleep, improved mood, and sense of well-being, decreased pain and discomfort and improved digestion.

Our goal is to keep you comfortable. Most treatment can be performed fully clothed, but we do recommend wearing looser clothing that will allow access to points below the elbows, knees, abdomen, and back as needed.

• Acute pain

• Addiction recovery

• Allergies

• Amenorrhea (loss of period)

• Anxiety

• Arthritis

• Asthma

• Bell’s palsy

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Chronic and post-operative pain

• Colds and flu

• Covid symptoms/long-term covid

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Facial rejuvenation

• Fatigue

• Fibromyalgia

• Gastrointestinal disorders

• Headaches

• High blood pressure

• Induce labor (beyond due date)

• Infertility

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Lateral epicondylitis (Golfers elbow)

• Medial epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)

• Menopause

• Musculoskeletal disorders (back, neck, knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, fingers, toes) and pain)

• Nausea + vomiting related to pregnancy/chemotherapy

• Neuropathy

• Pain (muscular, dental, gastric, nerve, emotional, etc.)

• Sciatica

• Sinusitis

• Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)

• Sports injuries

• Stress

• Stroke rehabilitation

• Turning a breech fetus

• Weakened immune system

• And so much more!!!......

We pride ourselves on keeping a timely schedule so as not to inconvenience you or anyone else seeking treatment. Please try to be prompt, not only to allow for your full treatment session but to allow continuous flow within our clinic. Our driveway is 3 car widths wide, and parking is allowed in any of the three widths or in front of the office on the street. Feel free to park behind any of our vehicles with the Island Acupuncture & Assoc. signs on the back as well. We do request 24 hr. notice of cancellations to allow others on our waitlist or emergency cases access to the clinic.

Dr. Tammy has been practicing Western medicine as an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years in all types of clinical settings, and has practicing acupuncture for over 25 years. Many years of clinical practice have not slowed her love for learning however and she continuously studies the medicines she loves. Fun fact: Acupuncturists in the state of MA are required to have at least 30 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to maintain licensure. Tammy regularly averages many more than this!

Absolutely! And babies love acupuncture! Children respond extremely well to acupuncture techniques and generally love acupuncture…even in utero! Ask any pregnant woman who has had acupuncture and they will tell you how much increased fetal movement they experience during an acupuncture session. Children’s energies are naturally stronger than adults (picture a child running circles around their parent 😉) which allows them typically to require fewer treatments and see faster results than adults. And even better…we have non-needle techniques that can be used with children so even if they are needle phobic, we have an option to treat them! Children are often seen for the treatment of colic, coughs/colds, digestive issues, school stress and anxiety, aches/sprains, and so much more!

Yes! We often find that folks who do acupuncture in conjunction with other modalities such as these, often find faster and long-lasting results. Coming from a rehabilitation background, I appreciate a team approach and as mentioned, we all heal differently and have different needs. I value being able to take a multidisciplinary approach to difficult cases when needed (only with your permission of course!)

While Dr. Tammy is constantly assessing and utilizing both Western and Eastern thought processes and modalities, our primary method of treatment here at Island Acupuncture & Assoc., Inc. is Traditional Chinese Medicine which includes Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal prescriptions. Herbs or herbal remedies may be prescribed based on your individual needs as assessed by our skilled practitioner. Dr. Tammy also practices electro-acupuncture and electromagnetic acupuncture to further relax musculature and decrease pain. Cupping (think Olympic swimming) is meant to encourage increased blood flow to an area through suction on the skin, moxibustion (a warming technique performed with an herb to move and nourish energy and blood to enhance healing), gua sha (a scraping technique to move stuck energy and blood), and Microneedling to enhance skin appearance and reduce the effects of aging. TDP lamps and our Biomat use far infrared technology promote cellular healing and circulation and our Red Light Therapy aids in the healing of and regeneration of skin. We have plenty of topical treatments as well including linaments with CBD and Traditional Chinese Herbals to match your complaints. Ask us about our Evil Bone Water!