When we live according to the different energies of the universe, we will find it easier to be in harmony with nature and find balance in our lives, promoting overall well-being.
Margaret Ryding practices Five Element Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, helping us find that balance through the five element theory and addressing the root causes of our specific imbalances. This holistic approach supports our body's ability to heal and provides pain relief, enhancing our health and wellness.
“My passion is to help patients feel their best, physically, spiritually and emotionally.”
Margaret practices Five Element Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine that understands and heals imbalances in the human body. She brings enthusiasm, compassion, and 25 years of experience to her practice, creating a unique personalized treatment plan for each patient based on the five element theory.
When not practicing at her office in Arlington, MA, she lives on a beautiful farm in Western MA where she raises chickens, grows flowers, fruit trees, berries, and vegetables, embodying the well-being and healthcare principles of the five element tradition.
Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing practiced for over five thousand years in China. Acupuncture uses needles that are gently inserted to change and balance a person’s energy, or qi (气). When our energy is flowing well, we are healthy. When this flow is disrupted, illness can result, leading to physical and emotional imbalances.
Acupuncture “points” are locations on the body where the energy comes to the surface and can be affected by needles that are thinner than a human hair. The goal of Five Element Acupuncture is to balance your energy, allowing you to heal with nature’s help and to feel your best, enhancing your wellness and supporting your whole person approach to health.
Acupuncture was practiced in ancient China to prevent disease, which remains an important use of Five Element Acupuncture today. Keeping energy balanced helps keep people healthy by promoting overall wellness. However, patients often come to acupuncture when trying to treat an illness, sometimes as a last resort after trying many other alternative therapies. This whole person approach allows practitioners to address both physical and emotional aspects of health, utilizing the ancient wisdom of eastern medicine.
Acupuncture stimulates the immune system and healing process, making it an effective form of alternative medicine. The World Health Organization lists many conditions for which it considers five element acupuncture to be helpful. These include:
Using the principles of oriental medicine, our practitioners focus on understanding the five elements and their role in your health to provide relief from pain and support your overall wellness.
In Chinese Medicine, health is more than the absence of symptoms.
True health has to do with the state of balance and harmony, internally and externally. In Chinese Medicine, the laws of the universe are based on observing nature. The seasons are seen as energetic movements in nature which affect all living things. In spring, plants sprout, in summer they grow and flower, in late summer they bear fruit, in autumn they produce seeds and release them, and in winter they die. That is the cycle of the seasons and nature.
It was observed in ancient China that humans also follow this flow of energy and are microcosms of the larger universe. When we are in balance we also change according to the laws of nature, following the cycle of the seasons. The different elements associated with the seasons are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
When we live according to the different energies of the universe, we find it easier to be in harmony with nature and find balance in our life. The five elements philosophy is intertwined with the practice of five element acupuncture, where understanding these elements helps our practitioners determine the best path for each patient. The Chinese philosophy of the “Tao” means “the way.” Finding our “way” can come through watching nature—how it changes and living accordingly.
The Wood Element is connected to the spring season, a time of new birth and creativity as the earth comes alive. This element is related to the liver and gall bladder. While creativity is connected to the Wood Element, without an outlet, anger or frustration can dominate, impacting overall wellness.
The Fire Element is related to summer, the most ‘yang’ and outward time of the year. The heart and circulation are under the domain of the Fire Element. When out of balance there may be circulatory problems, or depression or lack of joy.
The Earth Element is associated with late summer or the harvest season and is associated with the emotion of sympathy. The Earth Element controls the stomach and spleen — our organs of digestion. When out of balance, digestive problems can arise or an excess of worrying, affecting the five elements of health.
The Water Element is the element of winter and is associated with the emotion of fear. This is the storehouse of our vital essence. When the kidneys are depleted, we can feel fatigue, lethargy, and a lack of vitality. This is the most yin or inward energy of the year, highlighting the need for a balanced five element approach in element acupuncture.
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and flexible. When the needles are inserted, you may feel a dull ache, which lasts only 1 or 2 seconds. Patients do not typically describe their treatment as painful. In fact, many find that Five Element Acupuncture facilitates relaxation and enhances overall wellness. This gentle approach allows practitioners to effectively address various root issues while ensuring a comfortable experience for each patient.
Only sterilized disposable needles are used in element acupuncture. All safety regulations are followed meticulously, ensuring a safe environment for all patients. This commitment to safety is essential in practices like five element acupuncture, where the well-being of each person is the top priority.
Each treatment of five element acupuncture is $120. Margaret offers a sliding scale for special cases based on extreme financial need, ensuring that everyone has access to this valuable element acupuncture for their health and well-being.
Fees for five element acupuncture are paid in person when you come in for a treatment. Cash, card, Venmo, or checks are accepted, making it convenient for all patients to access the benefits of this traditional practice.
Many insurance companies will reimburse or discount acupuncture treatments. The best way to check if yours does is to call and ask them for details. I am a provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield MA and Harvard Pilgrim.
Treatments last one hour. For newcomers, the first treatment might last a little longer to include initial on-boarding questions.
No need to prepare - just bring yourself! Please arrive on time, wait quietly in sitting area outside the treatment room, and wear comfortable clothing. Note that your first treatment will include some initial questions about medical and family history, lifestyle, sleep, and digestion.
(781)-641-2195
margaretryding@gmail.com
393 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02474
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Tue: 11AM - 7PM
Wed: 11AM - 7PM
Thurs: 11AM - 7PM
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