• Acupuncture can empower patients to take control of their own health and
    wellbeing, guiding them onto the path toward their own true health potential.

Life In Balance

Overall Philosophy

Chinese medicine is a beautiful medicine filled with imagery about the environments on earth and relating them to the body. Chinese medicine looks at balancing heat and cold, damp and dry, excess and deficiency, yin and yang.

Acupuncture balances these environments in the body using the acupuncture meridians – channels of energy that run through our bodies, each channel flowing into the next creating one giant circuit. When these rivers flow freely, we are healthy. But through living our lives, suffering illnesses, emotional upsets, heartbreaks, injuries, and repetitive movements, we build up little pebbles along the rivers.

When enough pebbles have built up, the energy can no longer run smoothly, and you end up with one channel that is overflowing and another channel that is a dry riverbed. By listening to the patient’s symptoms, taking their pulse, and looking at their tongues, I find where the pebbles are, and work to unblock those channels, so that the rivers flow and the patient can live their life in balance.

Erica Marrero, M.S., L.Ac.

Board Certified & Licensed Acupuncturist

My main goal as an acupuncturist is to empower patients to take control of their own health and well-being, guiding them onto the path toward their own true health potential.

I was first introduced to acupuncture in my 20s, while battling high anxiety, IBS, and terrible back pain. As an acupuncture patient, each issue was resolved and I felt more and more passionate about acupuncture. It had quite literally changed my life and I wanted to do the same for others, and thus began my career in acupuncture.

I received my Master of Science degree in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City, where I studied three major styles of Acupuncture, observed many master practitioners, and have continued to learn through my continuing education courses.

I have been a Reiki Master since 2016, and incorporate Reiki and hands-on healing into every treatment. This energy work is heightened by acupuncture and it helps facilitate healing more quickly.

I had the privilege to study Breathwork with renowned Breathwork master and author David Elliot in New Mexico – learning to facilitate spirit-centered breathwork classes, which I have brought back to Nantucket. I am also offering one-on-one breathwork sessions.

In addition to my internship at Tri-State’s student-run clinic, I interned at Columbia University Medical Center in the Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer in my final year of school. I have taken what works for me from each practitioner and have developed my own very unique style of acupuncture, which always focuses not only on the body but the emotional life of each patient as well.

Listen to my radio interview on Balancing-ACK

erica marrero - nantucket acupuncture

Erica Marrero, M.S., L.Ac.

Board Certified & Licensed Acupuncturist

My main goal as an acupuncturist is to empower patients to take control of their own health and well-being, guiding them onto the path toward their own true health potential.

I was first introduced to acupuncture in my 20s, while battling high anxiety, IBS, and terrible back pain. As an acupuncture patient, each issue was resolved and I felt more and more passionate about acupuncture. It had quite literally changed my life and I wanted to do the same for others, and thus began my career in acupuncture.

I received my Master of Science degree in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City, where I studied three major styles of Acupuncture, observed many master practitioners, and have continued to learn through my continuing education courses.

I have been a Reiki Master since 2016, and incorporate Reiki and hands-on healing into every treatment. This energy work is heightened by acupuncture and it helps facilitate healing more quickly.

I had the privilege to study Breathwork with renowned Breathwork master and author David Elliot in New Mexico – learning to facilitate spirit-centered breathwork classes, which I have brought back to Nantucket. I am also offering one-on-one breathwork sessions.

In addition to my internship at Tri-State’s student-run clinic, I interned at Columbia University Medical Center in the Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer in my final year of school. I have taken what works for me from each practitioner and have developed my own very unique style of acupuncture, which always focuses not only on the body but the emotional life of each patient as well.

Treatments

Customized treatments for each individual.

Nantucket acupuncture

Acupuncture

nantucket reiki treatments

Reiki

Nantucket Scar Treatments

Scar Treatment

nantucket kids pediatric acupuncture

Pediatrics

Office

Take a tour of my facility, waiting room and treatment room.

  • Nantucket acupuncture waiting room
  • Nantucket acupuncture treatment waiting room
  • Nantucket acupuncture treatment room
  • Nantucket acupuncture treatment room
  • Nantucket acupuncture treatment room
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Photography by Barbara Clarke

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the questions below to get the answers.

Acupuncture is an effective, safe, and drug-free method of addressing many ailments in the body, including pain, internal disharmony, and emotional distress. The acupuncturist places fine needles in specific points in the body to help the autonomic nervous system reset, boosting the immune system and helping the patient move toward optimum health. The U.S. Health and Human Services website article suggests that acupuncture is helpful in most medical situations. In it, an NIH researcher states: “In many research studies, it’s clear that if you’re comparing acupuncture to usual care, the acupuncture group almost always does better.

Most people associate needles with thick unbendable hypodermic needles that are used to administer shots. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and flexible, similar to horsehair. The needles are constructed in a way to make insertion painless, and it is often undetectable by the patient. After insertion, the acupuncturist will stimulate the needle to either disperse blockages, or tonify areas needing more energy. During the stimulation, the patient might feel tingling, warmth, itching, heaviness, or a strong sense of movement. These responses are desirable and are all signs that the treatment is working. Because acupuncture stimulates the limbic system, which is like a reset for the nervous system, patients typically experience a feeling of deep relaxation during and after treatment.

Only sterile, disposable, single-use needles are used. Harmful side effects to acupuncture are extremely rare when the acupuncture is performed by a licensed, nationally board-certified acupuncturist.

Medical doctors in the United States can be licensed to practice acupuncture after having completed a 300-hour medical acupuncture course. Acupuncturists receiving a Masters of Science in Acupuncture have completed over 3000 hours of clinical and didactic coursework. Because of this, the theory and practice of acupuncture can be quite different between a regular acupuncturist and a medical doctor or chiropractor practicing acupuncture. The experience of the patient and the results can be astoundingly different.

Yes. Acupuncture can be used safely in conjunction with western medicine, chiropractic, and osteopathic adjustments. It is important to inform the acupuncturist of all medications and methods of treatment so that the information can be used to formulate the most effective treatment.

The initial consultation and treatment will take about one hour and fifteen minutes. During this time, a complete medical history will be taken, and a comprehensive physical evaluation will be performed, followed by the acupuncture treatment. Follow-up visits typically take an hour. If you are being seen on your lunch hour, however, please let me know as I can compress a treatment into 45 minutes.

Each person’s response to acupuncture is unique to them. Some people respond immediately, and some take a few visits to start seeing changes. In general, acute conditions (those developed within the last 3 months) usually only take a few consecutive treatments to clear up. With chronic conditions, those the patient has experienced for longer than 3 months, treatment can take a longer period of time to clear. The patient will likely, however, start seeing some change within a few treatments.

Please be sure to complete your intake paperwork prior to your initial visit. Please eat a small meal at least an hour before treatment, and be sure to drink plenty of water.

It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing. Pants should go easily above the knee. A loose-neck shirt is best. Some people opt to wear what they like and just get down to underwear and go under the sheet on the table.

Dry needling is a name given to a technique used by physical therapists and chiropractors who have not been trained in acupuncture but use acupuncture needles to initiate a spasm in the muscle so the muscle will ultimately relax.

Another name for dry needling, when done by a licensed acupuncturist, is a trigger point release. I have a master’s degree from a school that specializes in trigger point release.

A trigger point is a part of a skeletal muscle that is chronically in spasm and does not release. They are often palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. People can experience a trigger point as a chronically tight muscle, but they often feel pain in the joint. When a muscle is chronically tight, the fibers become taut bands, which ultimately put immense pressure on the tendons which attach to the bone. Because of this people feel discomfort at the joint. The western medicine diagnosis is tendonitis or bursitis. With a trigger point release, this pain can often be resolved.

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When a muscle had been in the habit of being in spasm, it can take a few treatments before the muscle knows it is ok for it to relax. Often, someone will feel much better or even pain-free several days following treatment; however, a few days later, it feels like the pain is creeping back in. That is because the muscle has been in the habit of being contracted, and it wants to go back to the habit. It just needs to be reminded that it is ok to relax. So it needs to follow up treatments, to remind the muscle repeatedly that it is ok to relax. The amount of time where the patient is pain-free or experiencing less pain is stretched out with each subsequent treatment. When the pain comes back it is usually less intense, and less frequent. Eventually, the muscle gets the message and relaxes down, allowing the pain to be resolved.

Cups are applied onto the skin and a suction is created, pulling the skin up. It is meant to increase blood flow to certain areas of the body. This technique often leaves a circular mark on the skin that does not hurt but resembles a bruise. These marks eventually fade, usually within a week.

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.

Yes. Children often respond very quickly to acupuncture. I treat infants all the way up to teenagers. See my page about pediatrics.

Praise

Here’s what my patients are saying about my services.

“Erica has helped transform my life with her intuitive practice and knowledge of Acupuncture and beyond. She has an amazing ability to read the physical, mental and emotional body. Because of her deep knowledge and compassion, I have been able to relax on her her table in full trust that I am cared for and through that the healing is natural in a way it is meant to be. I am deeply grateful for this amazing woman, she is a true healer. Thank You Erica for shinning so brightly and being in my life; I am forever grateful!”

– Female, age 55

“Erica is able to pinpoint issues in the body that aren’t even discernible to oneself. I have had wonderful success as a client with healing pain, allergies, hives and digestion. She is a miracle worker in my book!”

– Female, age 48

“Erica Marrero is a terrific acupuncturist with adults and children alike. Her calm, gentle manner immediately puts people at ease, and she is able to pinpoint (literally) the problem areas and help her patients manage, improve, and sometimes cure whatever is troubling them. I would recommend her heartily to people of all ages with a wide variety of issues”

– Mother of 8 year old

“After having surgery which left me with 4 inch scar on the back of my hand, I went to see Erica for a combination of scar treatment and pain relief. After just a few sessions I could not believe the improvement not only in my pain level, but in the appearance of my scar. Nearly all of the redness disappeared, and the elevation was significantly diminished. Erica approached my care with gentleness, patience, and took the time to really listen and work with me to achieve the outcome I dreamed of. Beyond my scar treatments, Erica has worked with the chronic hand pain that remained after surgery, and has helped bring me to a better place of overall health and wellbeing. A truly life- changing experience!”

– Female, Age 35

“Erica is able to pinpoint issues in the body that aren’t even discernible to oneself. I have had wonderful success as a client with healing pain, allergies, hives and digestion. She is a miracle worker in my book!”

– Female, age 48

“Our 3-year-old had been suffering for months from chronic stomach pain and constipation. We had seen her pediatrician on several occasions without resolution. Due to the anxiety our daughter suffered from previous doctor experiences, Erica moved slowly with her and took her time to build a trusting relationship. Within 2 sessions we saw a great improvement and after the 4th session our daughter’s issues had resolved. Gone were the days of constant crying, refusing and being scared to use the bathroom, and complaining of stomach pain. We were able to stop giving her daily doses of Miralax. She has returned to the happy, spunky 3 year old we once knew. We credit Erica for giving our daughter her life back and in turn, giving us ours back too.”

– Mother of 3-year-old

“Erica’s acupuncture has helped my IBS more than anything else, and thanks to her I can manage it better. She is wonderful—very knowledgeable and supportive, and takes a holistic, wellness approach. Her skilled treatments are also relieving shoulder and neck pain and in general making me feel better. I am delighted with the results and recommend her enthusiastically.”


- Male Age 63

“After my first appointment with Erica I sat up and I instantly felt lighter as if the anxiety and stress associated with my injuries fell away from me. After two to three sessions my bursitis totally cleared up and I have yet to have is come back two years later. Erica is an excellent listener and really cares about getting to the root of the pain. She has helped me be aware of how my body is feeling and helped me address symptoms whether emotional or physical as they have come up. Whether I have had digestion issues, adrenal issues or have felt myself starting to get sick I have found total relief from acupuncture with Erica.“

– Female, Age 36

“Erica has been able to pinpoint and trigger any muscular issues that I have due to seasonal stress and physical exertion on the job.   Her professional, yet personal, demeanor allows her to connect with her clients in a way that focuses on their overall health, not just a quick fix solution for a one-time problem.  She is very attentive to each client’s personal needs and able to adjust her treatment accordingly to ensure maximum relief of their pain.”

– Male, Age 42

“Please let me begin by saying what a pleasure it is to be treated by Erica. Her ideas, responsiveness, implementation of treatment and overall caring attitude are beyond any other treatment I have ever received. It is a pleasure to be treated by a person who not only understands and accommodates her patients, but also adds so much care and heart in the treatment. I am delighted with Erica and absolutely see this as a long term, extraordinarily beneficial relationship. Thank you Erica!”

– Female, Age 32

“I had my doubts about whether acupuncture was worthwhile for me, but I found that my chronic pain issues were greatly improved with regular treatments. Any lingering doubts were erased when I was unable to see Erica for 2 months due to my busy schedule and the pain came back with a vengeance.  Erica has the most calming manner and positive energy.  I have said to my friends that I would probably feel better after just hanging out with Erica for an hour,  but I get the added benefits of the acupuncture and Reiki.”


- Female, Age 57

“I first started to work with Erica for assistance on my fertility journey.  Not only has she helped me to better regulate my natural cycles and any hormonal imbalances, she has also created a space for me to feel comfortable and relax giving me peace of mind.  All this together has led to better overall mental health in alignment with my physical well-being to achieve my goals of creating and birthing a family.”

– Female, Age 46

Latest Press

Check out our latest press in N Magazine

N Magazine Press

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Book An Appointment

Return patients can book online.

New patients should contact us via text message to schedule an appointment: 508-901-9574.

July through September we will not be taking new patients, but text to the number above to be put on the new patient waitlist.

508-901-9574

contact@touchpointacupuncture.com

Touchpoint Acupuncture
35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554

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