The questions we are asked most often, grouped by the point at which people usually ask them. If yours is not here, get in touch or call 978.524.4888 — we are happy to talk something through before you book anything.
Before you book
Do I need a referral?
No. Massachusetts does not require a referral to see a licensed acupuncturist or a massage therapist. We would still encourage you to keep your doctor informed, particularly if you are being treated for an ongoing condition.
Do you take insurance?
Coverage varies a great deal by plan. Massachusetts has a partial mandate and many plans include a set number of acupuncture visits a year; MassHealth added coverage in January 2022; Medicare covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain only. Please check your own plan before booking — we cannot confirm your coverage for you.
How do I know which treatment I need?
Say what is going on when you get in touch and we will tell you which we think fits, including if the honest answer is that you should see your doctor first. Broadly: pain you can point to usually suits massage, longer-standing or more diffuse complaints usually suit acupuncture.
Can I book the same day?
Sometimes, but the practice runs by appointment only and Saturday mornings in particular fill up well before the week ends. Booking ahead is the safer bet.
Will I see the same practitioner each visit?
Yes. It is a small practice on purpose — you are not passed between rooms, and nobody has to be brought up to speed at the start of an appointment.
Acupuncture
Does acupuncture hurt?
For most people, no. The needles are roughly the thickness of a human hair and nothing like the hollow needles used for injections. A brief sensation on insertion is normal; sharp or lasting pain is not, and you should say so if you feel it.
How many sessions will I need?
For most complaints, a block of around six weekly sessions with an honest review at the end. If nothing has shifted by the sixth session, we will say so rather than keep booking you.
Are the needles reused?
Never. They are single-use, sterile and individually sealed, opened in front of you and disposed of into a sharps container immediately afterwards.
What should I do before an appointment?
Eat something light an hour or so beforehand, wear loose clothing that moves above the elbow and knee, skip alcohol, and bring a list of your medications — blood thinners in particular.
Will I bruise?
Occasionally. A small spot of blood on withdrawal happens sometimes and minor bruising occurs in a small number of cases, more often in people taking anticoagulants.
What conditions do you treat most often?
Muscular and joint pain, headaches and migraine, stress and sleep problems, digestive discomfort, menopausal symptoms and seasonal allergies. We have written about each of these in more depth.
More detail on each of these in our guides to low back pain, migraine and tension headaches, anxiety and stress, sleep and insomnia, digestive discomfort, menopausal symptoms, seasonal allergies, sciatica and knee and joint pain.
Massage and reflexology
Do I have to undress completely for a massage?
No. The phrase is “undress to your level of comfort” and it is meant literally. Many people keep underwear on. You are covered by a sheet throughout, and only the area being worked on is uncovered.
What is reflexology, and how is it different?
Reflexology applies firm pressure to mapped points on the feet, following a set sequence. You stay fully clothed with only shoes and socks removed, which makes it a good option if undressing is the barrier. It is $65 for a session.
How long a massage should I book?
Thirty minutes for one specific area, sixty for neck, shoulders and back together, ninety for whole-body work or a neck problem with a lower back component.
What if the pressure is wrong?
Say so immediately — it is genuinely welcome. Pain makes muscles guard, which works against the treatment. “Could you ease off a little” is all it takes.
See also what to expect from a first massage, massage for neck and shoulder pain, reflexology in detail and recovery work for active people.
Rates and payment
What does everything cost?
Acupuncture is $75 a session. Therapeutic massage is $45 for 30 minutes, $75 for 60 and $105 for 90. Reflexology is $65 and ear candling is $50. Every rate we charge is published; nothing is added at the end of a session.
Is the first appointment more expensive?
No. It runs longer than the ones that follow, because most of it is history-taking, but it is charged at the same rate.
Do you sell packages?
No. Prepaid blocks move the risk onto you — you pay for ten sessions before anyone knows whether two will help. We would rather be able to tell you at session six that something is not working.
Can I use an HSA or FSA?
Acupuncture and massage are generally eligible medical expenses for both. Keep your receipts and check with your plan administrator, since rules differ between providers.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes — just ask.
Our full price list is on the rates page, and what acupuncture costs in Massachusetts covers insurance and Medicare in more depth.
Finding us
Where are you?
146 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915. There is street parking on Cabot Street and municipal parking a short walk away in the downtown district.
Can I get here by train?
Yes. Beverly Depot sits on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter line and is a short walk from the practice. Salem is one stop away; Danvers has no station of its own, so most people drive in from there.
What are your hours?
Acupuncture runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Therapeutic massage runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 3pm, and Saturday from 8am to noon. By appointment only, closed Sunday.
Do you treat people from outside Beverly?
Most of the practice travels in — Salem, Danvers, Peabody, Wenham, Hamilton, Marblehead and Ipswich are all within about twenty-five minutes.
I have access requirements. Who do I tell?
Please mention it when you book, so we can make sure the appointment works for you — whether that is steps, doorways, or simply needing longer to get settled. Our accessibility page sets out what we have tested on this website and how to tell us if any part of it is difficult to use.
If any part of this website is hard to use, our accessibility statement explains what we have tested and how to tell us. What happens to anything you send us is in our privacy policy.
Safety and suitability
Is there anyone who should not have acupuncture?
Few absolute exclusions, but tell your practitioner before treatment if you are pregnant, take anticoagulants, have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, have a bleeding disorder, or have a compromised immune system. None of these automatically rules treatment out; each changes how it is delivered.
When should I see a doctor instead?
Please seek medical assessment first for new weakness or numbness in a limb, any change in bladder or bowel control, pain after a significant fall, unexplained weight loss, fever alongside pain, or a sudden severe headache unlike any before. Our treatments work alongside medical care, not instead of it.
Is acupuncture a substitute for my medication?
No. Never stop or change a prescription because you have started treatment here. That decision belongs with whoever prescribed it.
Do you make medical diagnoses?
No. Acupuncture and massage are complementary therapies. We do not diagnose disease, and we will tell you when something needs a doctor rather than a treatment room.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please speak to a clinician about any new, severe or changing symptom.