Provider Spotlight: Amy Jo of Flourish Boston

To accompany our Client Spotlights, we will also be posting monthly Provider Spotlights about complementary medicine providers. Learn about their practice philosophy, what an appointment is like, and find out more about what to expect.

Amy Jo Accardi is a licensed acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and the founder and owner of Flourish Boston. She is also a self-described health strategist, digestive specialist, and “food nerd and bon vivant.” After taking a look at her modern and vibrant website, I was excited to have the opportunity to talk with Amy Jo about the philosophy she brings to her practice, her advice for finding the right provider for you, and the benefits of Chinese medicine. She also answered some questions that I never wanted to ask (how does getting poked with acupuncture needles not hurt?), but was so glad I asked.

What is an appointment like at Flourish Boston?

Amy Jo spends time with every new client getting to know them and their health needs. In fact, this was also one of her top recommendations for finding a good acupuncture provider — he or she should spend at least 30 minutes just talking with you to learn about your health needs, things that are ailing you, and what brought you into Flourish Boston.

Most acupuncture providers spend 30–60 minutes with clients, so this is a benefit that all clients at Flourish Boston receive. After a 30–60 minute conversation, including some diagnostic assessments like looking at your tongue and taking your pulse, acupuncture therapy can begin. Acupuncture typically takes 30 minutes or so, and afterward, Amy Jo meets with you, the client, one more time to discuss next steps for your treatment. Next steps could include scheduling another appointment, providing you with some Chinese herbs that she also provides, and making lifestyle change recommendations that you can implement right away. Amy Jo emphasized that it is crucial that you, the client, not feel rushed during your appointment. Your provider should make you feel heard and understood during the appointment.

What conditions are treated at Flourish Boston?

While acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be used to treat a variety of conditions, Amy Jo’s specialties are digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and auto-immune conditions. She emphasized to me that diet and Chinese medicine techniques work together to improve these conditions and empower her clients so they no longer experience the digestive discomfort that comes with IBS, as well as the unpredictable pain and other confusing symptoms of auto-immune conditions. She mostly treats women who are dealing with these conditions and has developed a complementary approach that really works.

How does acupuncture not hurt?

Seriously, inquiring minds want to know. Amy Jo explained to me that the needles are as thin as a single hair, so the impact on the skin is minimal. They are very pointy, unlike needles that a doctor or nurse would use to give you a shot or to draw blood. The needles are inserted into the skin, but not very deeply, so they do not reach the nerve endings that might cause you pain. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years — they have managed to figure it out!

Closing Words

Amy Jo emphasized that finding a complementary provider who works for you is all about fit and relationship. She advises potential complementary medicine clients and patients to look on a provider’s website, read blogs or other publications the provider has, such as social media. That effort will help you to get a feel for how the provider’s philosophy aligns with your own. In our healthcare environment, finding a provider who really listens to you and spends time learning about your body and mind and how to achieve health can be a major achievement.

About the author

Jenna Troup spearheads EthosWell’s wellness research and works in both traditional and alternative medicine. She has a Masters in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is a devoted spin class attendee and yoga practitioner.

Contact her on Twitter: @JennaCTroup.