Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Alberti.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started getting acupuncture treatments right after I graduated from college. As a child, I developed seasonal allergies in the Spring and Fall, and tried managing the allergies with medication. I would try one type of allergy medication and it would work for a few weeks then its effects would diminish. And then we’d try another medication with the same effect. After years of being on the medication merry-go-round with little to no relief, I realized that medication wasn’t the answer. After doing some research, I tried acupuncture. I went for a few weeks, consistently, seeing one of the graduate students at the New England School of Acupuncture. Around the 5th or 6th treatment, I realized my allergies had subsided and I was feeling great. I loved the treatments so much, I kept going on a weekly basis and felt as though acupuncture really brought my body back into balance.
Acupuncture made such a huge difference in my life, I decided to make it my career. I went to grad school at Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, CO and upon graduating, started a clinic out there with a fellow classmate. A few years later, I moved home to Boston and joined two practices – one at South Shore Community Acupuncture in Quincy and the other at Fenway Health in Boston.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
You learn a great deal in graduate school – the fundamentals of both Eastern and Western medicine and clinical approaches. But the greatest learning comes from your patients and building experience through your practice.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fenway Health & South Shore Community Acupuncture – what should we know?
At South Shore Community Acupuncture, we treat patients in a group setting, in comfortable reclining chairs and we try to make treatments affordable. Most people don’t have health insurance that covers acupuncture and find it difficult to afford the going rate of a private treatment, which is usually between $75-$100 per session. At South Shore Community Acupuncture (SSCA), we charge $30 per visit ($50 for new patients which includes the initial intake) and we can keep our fees low with the group setting. Because our fees are similar to a copay, patients are usually able to come more often and see results a lot quicker.
At Fenway Health, I oversee the acupuncture clinic that is a part of the Addiction, Recovery and Wellness Program. We treat patients who are in various stages of recovery to help them reduce cravings, anxiety, irritability and other issues that coincide with overcoming addiction. We also see patients for behavioral health issues like depression and anxiety and for smoking cessation.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that it’s essential to keep fine tuning your skills as a practitioner with continued education opportunities, classes, mentorships, learning from your peers, etc.
Contact Info:
- Address: South Shore Community Acupuncture: 21 Totman Street Quincy, MA 02169
Fenway Health: 1340 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215 - Website: www.sscacu.com www.fenwayhealth.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southshoreca/
Image Credit:
Lisa Weinstein
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