Q. What happens at my initial holistic healthcare appointment?

A. Your initial appointment is a personalized experience tailored to your specific concerns.  Your first appointment includes a full assessment and an acupuncture treatment. If further treatment is needed that is discussed and a wellness plan is created going forward.

Q. Why may a herbal formula be prescribed at my visit?

A. Herbal medicine is also used to treat the root cause of disorders and depending on the duration and severity of an issue, a herbal formula may be combined to enhance the treatment process. The combination of both herbal formulas and acupuncture have shown the best treatment for severe and chronic disorders helping not only treat the root cause but expediting results.

Q. Why will my practitioner want to look at my tongue or feel my pulse?

A. These are ancient techniques that have been used throughout the centuries by Eastern Medicine physicians to assess many underlying issues of the body relating to the person’s constitution and current health condition. Each position of the radial pulse corresponds to a specific organ and meridian of the body. Over 27 different individual criteria can be found and assessed. More so, the tongue acts as a map of one’s body. Color, shape, coating, as well as cracks, and positioning are all assessed. These assessment tools are added to the overall health exam and history in the help of prevention and treatment of disease to keep the body well-balanced.

Q. How long is my first appointment?

A. Your initial appointment is a highly personalized experience. All patients receive as much time as needed to address their concerns and any additional questions he or she may have. However, a typical assessment can last 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

Q. How do I make an appointment?

A. To schedule an appointment please call me, Dr. Tetreault at 772-353-1397 or email me at Holistichealthonthego@gmail.com. Holistic Health On The Go is by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted. 

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Q. Where will my appointment be?

A. My office is located within Achieving Wellness Chiropractic, at 63 Spring St. #201 Williamstown, MA 01267.  By appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted. 

Q. Do you take insurance?

A. Some services may be covered by your health insurance plan. To verify insurance coverage prior to your appointment please click here.

Q. What is Eastern Medicine?

A. Eastern medicine is a time-tested, complete medical system with a course of over 23 centuries of ancient knowledge that is now combined with modern research to form amazing protocols in the treatment of both acute and chronic disorders. It has been shown to be not only an amazing medicine for preventative health but also in treating disorders and imbalances.

Q. What is Functional Medicine?

A. According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, "Functional Medicine is a systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness." Learn more here: The Functional Medicine Approach

Q. What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

A. According to National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, Ayurvedic Medicine is "an ancient Indian medical system, also known as Ayurveda, is based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional healthcare systems. Ayurvedic treatment combines products (mainly derived from plants, but may also include animal, metal, and mineral), diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Learn more here: Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth

Q. What is Acupuncture?

A. Acupuncture is an effective technique that has been used by millions and has over the centuries shown its ability of not only treating pain issues but overall balancing the body systems to help prevent and treat disorders. This is performed by a trained practitioner who utilizes fine, sterile needles at various specific acupoint locations on the body. Acupuncture is a safe and effective way of treating many issues and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of a plethora of diseases. See the video on our home page under the subsection "What is Acupuncture" for more information. 

Q. Does Acupuncture hurt?

A. Acupuncture requires slender needles, often referred to as "cat whiskers" by my patients, to be inserted into specific acupoint locations on the body. Some patients have mentioned it feels like a small pinch, followed by a sensation of "tingling" or "numbness" down specific meridians along the body. Some patients report feeling "nothing at all". We will work at your pace and comfort level the whole session.

Q. What is infrared heat therapy?

A. Infrared therapy is a method that uses light and heat to treat acute or chronic pain. It is a simple and painless process and has additional benefits to Eastern Medicine. Learn more here. 

Q. What is Tui Na Massage?

A. Tui Na, also called Tui-Na massage, is a form of bodywork based on the principles of Eastern medicine. Working along meridians (energy channels) throughout the body, Dr. Tetreault taps into these energy points, using stretches, pressure points, and joint rotations, to balance the body's vital energy (qi). Tui Na has been called a combination of Shiatsu and acupressure massage.

Q. How is Tui Na massage different than Western Massage Therapy?

A. Because it is based on Eastern medicine techniques, Tui Na is quite different from Western massage therapy. Unlike Western massage techniques, Tui Na goes beyond the muscles, bones, and joints to work with the body on a deeper, energetic level. A Tui Na practitioner intends to sense the energy of their client with their hands, and affect the flow and distribution of that energy during the session. Tui Na massage is often used in concert with other alternative medicine therapies including acupuncture, herbal therapies, moxibustion, and fire cupping.

Q. What is Fire Cupping?

A. Fire cupping is a therapy that can be incorporated into your session if needed. It is an ancient modality used to stimulate the flow of blood allowing the body to have a much quicker recovery time whether secondary to excessive training or injury. You may have noticed that it is quite popular with the Olympians in training for triathlons and/or anyone suffering from muscle injury involvement. This ancient technique should only be performed by a trained practitioner for the best results. Fire cupping not only expedites the healing process following injury but can be combined with acupuncture therapy to add an enhanced nourishing effect on the body to replace stagnated blood and simultaneously restoring weakened areas of concern which is the most authentic method for cupping.

Q. What is Moxibustion?

A. 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 usually with acupuncture treatments. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences. Dr. Tetreault favors the use of Moxa oil over the traditional plant root itself.

Q. What is Moxa oil?

A. Moxa comes from one of the most nourishing herbal plants, called the mugwort leaf, and has been used for centuries in many forms to help tonify the body and specifically helps with the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. It warms the meridians and has been used to help alleviate back pain, arthritis, and menstrual cramping. It is known to especially nourish the kidney qi and essence. This herbal helps balance the body by expelling cold and dampness and can be applied on specific acupoint areas during your session if needed.

Q. How many treatments will I need?

A. The frequency of treatments varies according to severity and duration of disorder and the constitution of the patient. Each individual may have variances according to lifestyle and underlying factors. However, protocols are set based on current research and average time of past majority cases.