MOLLY B. SHAPIRO L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.4405 East West Highway, Suite 311A​Bethesda, MD 20877Email: mshapiro@mbsacupuncture.comPhone: (240) 347-2323

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  • The Medicine
  • What to Expect
  • Services
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  • Home
  • The Medicine
  • What to Expect
  • Services
  • Contact
The Needles
For those who have never received acupuncture, the idea of putting needles into the body may seem strange.  However, most people find the experience very relaxing, and don't mind the needle insertion.  Many fall asleep.  All needles are sterile and one-time use.

Tongue, Pulse, Abdominal Diagnosis
According to Chinese Medicine, the observation of the tongue and palpation of the radial (wrist) pulses and abdomen provide insight to the functioning of the internal organs.  Your tongue will be observed for color, shape, demarcations, coating, and moisture.  Three fingers will be placed on each wrist to detect your pulse's strength, depth, rate, and overall quality. The abdomen is palpated for temperature, areas of laxity, tightness, hardness, pulsations, emptiness and fullness.

What to Wear / Eat / Etc.
Please wear relatively loose-fitting clothes.  Pants should comfortably roll up to the knees, and shirt sleeves up to the elbows.  Exam gowns are provided when necessary. You should eat 30 - 90 minutes prior to coming.  You should not be full from a meal, intoxicated, or have had recent sexual intercourse.  Please refrain from wearing  perfumes, colognes, and fragrances as other patients may be sensitive to the scent.

​The Questions 
One difference between Chinese Medicine and modern Western medicine is the different questions that are asked during the initial and follow-up intakes.  Inquiries into body systems that may seem unrelated to your current symptoms are included because they provide information about your constitutional tendencies and presenting patterns.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The answer is determined by several factors including how long your condition has been present, your overall health and strength, and your compliance with suggested therapies.  An average course of treatment is 3-6 sessions over 3-6 weeks, at a frequency of 1-2 treatments per week.  For seasonal tune-ups and easier to treat conditions, this course of treatment may be sufficient.  For chronic illness and difficult to treat conditions, additional courses of treatment may be recommended.  Patients should be able to feel the effects of Chinese Medicine after the initial course of treatment, after which a subsequent treatment plan may be discussed and determined.

Herb Preparation
Traditionally, herbs were boiled into a decoction. While effective, the process is time consuming. Molly's herbal pharmacy consists of granulated powders which are concentrated extracts of the crude plant material. Preparation for patients is simplified and similar to making instant coffee, in which the powders are mixed into hot water to make the herbal decoction. For more information on the process, sourcing, and safety of the sourced herbs, please visit: https://legendaryherbs.com/quality-control-at-legendary-herbs-a-visual-guide-to-our-granules/?v=7516fd43adaa.



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Molly B. Shapiro L.Ac., Dipl. O. M. 
Acupuncture, Herbs, Chinese Medicine
4405 East West Highway, Suite 311A
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: (240) 347-2323  Email: mshapiro@MBSacupuncture.com
Office Hours
Monday: 10:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday: 12:30pm - 6:30pm
Thursday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
​Friday: 11:30am - 5pm



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Free parking
Content copyright 2016. Molly B. Shapiro L.A.c., Dipl. O.M. All rights reserved.