Acupuncture Associates of Worcester

I have been practicing acupuncture and chinese medicine since 1989 upon graduating from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). People are often curious how I chose to be an Acupuncturist. My answer is Acupuncture chose me. Preparing for the MCATS and working at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in a Biomechanics research lab, I had the opportunity to meet a unique woman who was working as a lab administrative assistant. She asked me about my future career plans. I told her I planned to apply to Medical School and practice holistic medicine. I went into detail about my conception of the healthiest way to treat patients. I emphasized that our bodies were built to self heal and that in combining proper nutrients with mind and body exercise we could achieve optimal health. I also stated that my goal would be to minimize the amount of prescription medications and surgeries by replacing it with a healthier treatment regimen, including supplements, herbs, exercise and meditation. She responded, “did you know you will probably get less than a semester of Nutritional Education in Medical School. Have you ever considered Acupuncture School?” I had not and knew very little about it. She described her experience working for one of the few Acupuncturist in MA at the time, a man who became an Acupuncturist after he was successfully treated with Acupuncture and regained the ability to walk. He treated all kinds of conditions and had a thriving practice in Harvard Square. She promised to provide me with additional information the next day. I was very interested in learning more and admittedly, a little skeptical. The next day, was the first day I realized I was going to be an Acupuncturist. While reading the information describing the theory of Chinese Medicine, a feeling came over me. It was a feeling I had never experienced before and difficult to describe. It was an inner knowing that I was to study this ancient art of healing and that in some way the philosophy was innate. I enrolled in the NESA program a month later with overwhelming enthusiasm. During the first week of classes, it came to my attention that I was the only student that had never had an Acupuncture treatment, and so I made my first appointment with Kiiko Matsumoto, Lic. Ac., a famous Japanese Acupuncture professor and practitioner. To this day, I still remember how wonderful I felt after that visit. I also remember how fortunate I was to meet the lab assistant from Brigham, as she introduced me to the most amazing medicine and healing modality. I feel privileged to be a member of this ancient tradition, which has helped heal billions! Professional Associations

Massachusetts Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Board Member 1990-1992
Vice President 1992-1994
President 1994-2000

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 1990-present
Organized and Chaired Eastern Regional Conference 1992
Awarded State Association President of the Year 1997

Advisory and Consultation Positions:
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. 2010-present - Complementary and Alternative Medicine Academic Interest Group

Lucy’s Love Bus, Foundation for Children with Cancer 2010-present

Holy Cross College- Community Acupuncture Program-present

WPI-Community Acupuncture Program-present

Project-Board Member 2007-present

St Vincent’s Hospital Allied Health Profession Committee-Board Member 2001-200
Project Worcester, MA-Tools for Living Well-Grant Recipient 1996
Visiting Nurses Association of Central Mass. (Project Care-HIV Program 1995
YWCA- Member of the Board of Directors Wellness Initiative Committee 1992-1995
Instruction
Assistantship site for students of New England School of Acupuncture 1995- present
Presented Grand Rounds Lecture on Acupuncture at Memorial Medical Center 1998
Provided in office rotations to family Health residents from Medical School 1998-2000
Published Acupuncture Appendix
for book “Cancer As Initiation: Surviving the Fire, Barbara Stone PhD. 1994