Melissa Maki, owner of Summit Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine is joining the team of practitioners at Essex, New York’s NEW Health!

“I’m thrilled to be a part of N.E.W. Health and the skilled group of practitioners that are here. It’s been wonderful to watch the community come in for classes, treatments, use the gym, and connect with other community members while making the conscious choice to invest in their health. This is why we are all here doing what we passionately love…to provide true health care instead of sick care.” ~Melissa Maki

About Melissa Maki

Melissa worked in the field of psychology and therapy for many years before she discovered the healing benefits of acupuncture. She received a Master’s Degree from The Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in September 2012.  This program entails four years of study focused on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and biomedical sciences; the final year involving 180 clinical hours treating patients at the on-site clinic.

Melissa practices Five Element Acupuncture, Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture, and creates customized herbal formulas for her clients. The name of her practice was inspired by one of her three shitzus Summit.

About Summit Acupuncture

Five Element Acupuncture was created in China thousands of years ago and was brought to Western attention in the 1950s by Professor J.R. Worsley. This ancient style of acupuncture states that the body is a microcosm of the elements in nature (Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal) and takes into consideration the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual. Learn about this form of acupuncture in more detail here: http://www.5element.com.au/index.html.

Acupuncture is a different way to take control of your health, oftentimes a proactive method, and it can be combined with Western medical practices to boost overall health and decrease symptoms.

Melissa is fond of using the following analogy to describe the body and how acupuncture works:

“I use the analogy of our roadways for acupuncture. Like the roads we travel on Qi is supposed to move in certain directions. When you are on I-87, you expect the Northbound lane to go North and the Southbound lane to go South. You also expect that exits are open and entry ramps are passable. You expect bridges to be intact and the roads to be in good enough condition that you can drive without having a major accident. Qi has this job in your body as well.

Over our lifetime events can occur that cause huge potholes, exit ramps close down, traffic goes in the wrong direction and chaos begins in the body. Acupuncture works to get the Qi flowing in the way it is supposed to as well as going in and repairing your body’s roadways. The definition of disease is a body not at ease. Often times the first signs of disease are subtle. Having difficulty sleeping or not getting sleep that has you waking up feeling refreshed, body aches that come and go, or digestive pain to name a few. Like the Department of Transportation being proactive to keep our roadways clear, acupuncture is a proactive measure to keep your body in optimal health.”

Unlike some who practice acupuncture, Melissa is a constant comforting presence during treatments and does not leave patients in waiting in isolation with needles inserted. Her technique involves inserting the fine acupuncture needles (most as thin as a human hair) and withdrawing them immediately. She also employs the technique of warming certain acupoints on the body using moxibustion.

Sometimes herbal medicine is combined with acupuncture, or it can be used on its own to treat a patient. As Melissa described to me, herbal medicine can replace what your body has lost, while acupuncture works with what your body has. Melissa carries several patent blends that treat the flu, shock, kidney stones, prevent colds etc., and she also is able to create constitutional formulas designed for an individual’s particular needs.

Keep up to date with Summit Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine on Facebook where you can read success stories from former and current clients.

Contact Melissa at 802-349-6295 or email melissamaki@outlook.com to learn more or to make an appointment.

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