Acupuncture

with Haiying Conover, Licensed Acupuncturist, LICAC

Our acupuncturist now accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please contact your insurance company to verify your plan covers acupuncture and for costshare information.

About Acupuncture at AFP

At Atkinson Family Practice, we offer excellent acupuncture services designed to activate the body's natural healing processes. Haiying Conover, our skilled practitioner, brings a deep understanding of how acupuncture can restore balance and enhance the body's innate abilities to heal without the reliance on medications.

Treatable Conditions:

  • Pain Management: Acute and chronic

  • Supportive Care: Substance abuse withdrawal, side effects of cancer treatment, pregnancy and labor, seasonal allergies, and more

  • Other: Infertility, menstruation disorders, insomnia, depression and anxiety, incontinence, and more

Session Information:

  • Initial Consultation: Tailored assessments with access to AFP medical records for existing patients. New patients fill an intake form detailing their medical history.

  • Duration: 60 minute sessions

  • Private/Shared Session: Patient can opt for either a private session or treatment in a shared room with up to six patients.

Meet our Acupuncture Services Provider!

About Haiying Conover

Haiying Conover is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a skilled acupuncturist, holding a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from MCPHS University, where she received the Tsay Fellowship Award. Haiying also has a doctorate in the same field at the New England School of Acupuncture and contributes to research at the Vitaly Napadow Lab at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

In her acupuncture practice, Haiying integrates her deep knowledge of massage therapy, which complements her precise acupuncture techniques. She focuses on treating chronic pain, infertility, anxiety, depression, and more, believing in the body’s own ability to start healing under the right conditions. Haiying's approach is all about supporting patients in finding balance and managing their health with less dependence on medication.

Haiying's qualifications and careful attention to her patients' specific needs make her a distinguished provider at Atkinson Family Practice. She continually updates her skills and knowledge to provide the best care possible. With her unique combination of expertise in both acupuncture and massage therapy, Haiying offers a thoughtful and effective approach to patient care at AFP.

FAQ’s About Acupuncture

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  • Acupuncture boasts a rich history documented in archaeological finds, including bamboo Chinese medicine texts dating back approximately 2500 years.

  • Acupuncture is a component of Chinese Medicine, which is itself a comprehensive medical system comparable to Western Medicine, Allopathic Medicine, or Biomedicine. Chinese Medicine includes therapies like Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, exercise (such as various Chinese martial arts), moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha, Tui Na (Chinese massage), and others.

    1. Medical theory: Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, while dry needling is based on Western medicine anatomy, including nerves and trigger points.

    2. Needles: Originally, dry needling used needles for trigger point injection, known as ‘wet needling’ in the 1940s, before switching to acupuncture needles to achieve similar effects without injection.

    3. Treatment principles and locations: Dry needling focuses on pain management and localized treatment. Acupuncture treats a broader range of health conditions, applying not only to symptomatic areas but also to distal areas based on TCM diagnosis, often addressing the root cause of issues.

  • When the needles first penetrate the skin, you might feel a minor sting, especially in nerve-rich areas like the hands and feet. Otherwise, you might feel nothing. Sensitivity can also vary based on your overall health condition.

  • Acupuncture may also involve electric acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha, moxibustion (substituted by infrared heat lamps and mats at AFP), and Tui Na (Chinese massage).

  • A typical vaccine needle can hold 3-7 acupuncture needles, depending on the gauge of the needles.

  • Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a certified practitioner. Possible side effects include:

    • Infections: Rare, if standard sanitary practices are followed—comparable to the risk of infection from drawing a blood sample.

    • Pneumothorax: A very rare complication due to improper needle depth.

    • Minor Bleeding/Bruising: Some individuals may experience slight bruising or bleeding at needle sites.

  • The response to acupuncture can vary depending on the condition being treated and the individual's reaction. Some may see immediate results, while others may notice gradual improvements after several sessions. Typically, outcomes are re-evaluated after 5-6 visits.

Interested in Acupuncture? Fill Out This Form to Get Started