Faq

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
General
What is the best way to schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment through our online scheduling app. If you can’t find a time that fits your schedule or are having trouble using the online scheduler, please don’t hesitate to call or text us at 603-933-1577.
Where is Fine Feather located?
Fine Feather Healing Arts Center is conveniently located at 225 Concord Street, Peterborough NH 03458. As you head out of Peterborough town going north up Concord Street/202, we are located in the same business plaza as Brady’s American Grill, Grappelli’s Pizza and Dunkin donuts. There is plenty of easy parking in the lot.
Do you take walk-ins?
Generally speaking our sessions are available by appointment. However, occasionally we may be able to accommodate a walk-in.
What is your cancellation policy?
We kindly ask that you give us 24 hour notice if you need to cancel your appointment. Otherwise, you may be charged 50% of the original service that you were scheduled in for.
Do we take insurance?
We do accept VA insurance(call us to find out more). At this time we do not take any other insurance, we do however provide invoices to clients who wish to bill their insurance companies for services provided.
Acupuncture
Is acupuncture safe?
When performed by a competently trained licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All licensed acupuncturists today use individually packaged, sterile disposable needles. So there is virtually no chance of infection or contagion.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair, and their insertion is practically painless. It is nothing like receiving an ordinary injection. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place. In others, there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a flowing of qi moving up and down the channels. We always check in to make sure your experience is comfortable and will adjust any points accordingly. Most people find acupuncture to be extremely relaxing, and many fall asleep during treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. As a general guideline, for acute conditions we generally recommend to start with 3-5 treatments done at a minimum 1x a week. For sub-acute conditions, we recommend 2x a month. For wellness maintenance, we recommend 1x a month. To help reduce the number of treatments, your practitioner may suggest dietary modifications, specific exercise regimes, relaxation techniques, self- massage and or herbal medicines all of which may help to increase the efficacy of acupuncture.
Is there anything I need to do before receiving acupuncture?
We may ask you to partially undress so we can access an area for treatment such as the back. All treatments are done using sheets and blankets for comfort.
General recommendations:
Eat a light meal or snack before coming in to avoid having a treatment on an empty stomach. Avoid coffee or other stimulants before an appointment.
What can I expect after a treatment?
Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms, This relief may last or some pain will return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminishing over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better!
Massage Therapy
What should I wear?
For most massage treatments you will need to undress to your level of comfort (with nothing at all or underwear left on). You will be covered and draped with sheets at all times except for the area being worked on.
Should I tell my therapist about any medical conditions, medications, or allergies?
Yes, we will always check in with you prior to starting your session. Please let us know about any injuries or surgeries as we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Do you offer couples massages?
No, not at this time. However we can often schedule two or three appointments at the same time done in separate rooms so you are still able to come in with your loved ones or friends at the same time. If you are having trouble finding a time to come in together through our online booking, just let us know and we are happy to schedule it for you!
Will I feel sore after a massage?
That may depend on the nature of the bodywork session. For a relaxation massage the answer is generally no. If you are coming in for a deep tissue or therapeutic bodywork then a little soreness for a day or two is normal. The soreness is often felt in the same way as after working out. We always recommend drinking enough water afterward to keep the body hydrated.
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
How does Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Work?

Chinese medicine is based on the principle that health is manifested from the inside out. Using this Holistic approach, not only do your frown lines disappear, you feel better overall, sleep better, have more energy and better digestion. As you age, the 57 muscles in your face gradually lose their tone and mass. Loss of tone and mass causes the sagging, deep wrinkling and tired look associated with aging. Acupuncture stimulates the muscle function, and the face lifts itself via the acupuncture points. Thus returning the face to a healthier, revitalized, youthful appearance. Hair thin needles are placed in the outside of the ear to induce relaxation, and body points are used which correspond to the individual’s specific needs. There is a sense of well being as a flood of endorphins is released throughout the body. Once you are in a state of deep relaxation, needles are placed on the face in acupuncture points as well as wrinkles. The needles placed in the wrinkles create a micro trauma, which causes collagen to be produced.

What Does Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation Treat?
Acupuncture facial rejuvenation is not just for wrinkles, sagging skin and dark spots. As a part of an overall program of skin health for individuals of any age, you can have treatments much in the same way you would get a facial. The difference being that an Acupuncturist specially trained in facial rejuvenation acupuncture can diagnose imbalances in your organs such as your liver which may cause Melasma or dark spots, in your kidneys which can result in dark circles or premature aging, your large intestine or lungs which can contribute to acne or your spleen which can contribute greatly to sagging and or puffiness.

Facial Acupuncture, done as part of a regular program of skin care can prevent the appearance of crow’s feet, sagging jowls, droopy eyelids and turkey neck before they happen. Once these signs of aging do begin to appear, needles can be used to increase collagen production, stimulate blood flow, relax atrophied muscles and brighten a dull complexion.

Techniques such as facial cupping, facial Gua Sha and micro-needle dermal rollers are also used to further enhance the effects of the treatments. Treatments are very relaxing and you will look forward to the refreshed, rested appearance you attain from each and every session. Like all acupuncture treatments, the results are cumulative and best done in a series. Instantly you will notice that your face will appear more relaxed and your skin has a beautiful glow to it. More noticeable and lasting changes will be seen after 5 or 6 sessions and the full benefits will be apparent after a series of 10-12 treatments. Results will vary depending on skin conditions and age but most people will find it often takes 5-15 years off the face and has long lasting results.

What is Facial Cupping?
For thousands of years the Chinese have used therapeutic cupping for asthma, fever, pain, TMJ, sinus congestion and many other physical concerns. Facial cupping can be transformative to your appearance either as a standalone treatment, or as an addition to acupuncture facial rejuvenation. The benefits include increased local circulation to the skin, drawing nutrients to the surface and enhancing absorption of lotions or serums. Facial cupping also increases blood flow, drains stagnant fluids and eases puffiness. By increasing blood flow and circulation to the skin, cupping can help the skin to regain its youthful appearance.

Facial cups are small and come in various shapes especially designed for your face. After applying a special lotion, a small cup is either “parked” for a few seconds over a deep wrinkle to increase blood flow to the area, or it is moved along the face and down the neck to drain lymphatic fluid and stimulate blood flow.

This treatment will bring collagen to the surface, reduces puffiness & dark circles, diminish lines, drain nasal sinuses and lymphatic system. Conditions such as TMJ and sinus pressure are also relieved. The increased local blood supply will bring nourishment to the muscles and skin and allow for toxins to be carried away via the veins and the lymphatic system. My patients describe feeling very relaxed and deep warmth, and tingling sensation long after the treatment has ended.

What is Facial Gua Sha?

Facial Gua Sha is a technique in which specially crafted hand held pieces of smooth jade are used to invigorate the skin, smooth out wrinkles and increase blood supply. Facial Gua Sha can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as Acne, Rosacea, Melasma and dark circles. Facial Gua Sha is used as part of a comprehensive acupuncture facial rejuvenation program for wrinkles, sagging and puffiness. Facial Gua Sha can address areas such as the neck and jowls, which are prone to sagginess. The increased blood circulation, which occurs during Gua Sha, helps to detoxify the face and move stagnant blood and inflammation, which can occur under the eyes. By providing increased blood flow to the face, the skin is better nourished and healthier.

Part of the benefit of the treatment is that acupuncture points on the face are massaged with the Gua Sha tool, which in turn benefits the internal organs. The better your liver and kidney are working, the healthier your skin will appear.

Holistic Microneedling
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a treatment using a small machine called a microneedling pen. This pen uses a detachable tip of 16 tiny sterile needles that make microscopic punctures through the epidermis to the dermis. These punctures trigger a healing response that produces collagen and elastin. Another name for microneedling is collagen induction therapy.
What are the benefits and what does Microneedling Treat?
There are many cosmetic benefits of Microneedling. Patients who undergo a full course of treatment can expect to see noticeably more glowy, smoother, tighter skin, pore reduction, a dramatic decrease of fine lines, a reduction in wrinkles and an overall more healthy, youthful complexion. Microneedling is especially effective at treating wrinkles and fine lines, especially those around the eyes and mouth, redness and rosacea , the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation (melasma), whether it is hormonal or from the sun.
Does Microneedling hurt?
We make our best effort to make our patients as comfortable as possible. Before treatment begins, a topical anesthetic will be applied to the affected area. Patients should not experience any pain or discomfort while the treatment is taking place. After treatment has been received, patients typically experience redness, like that of a sunburn, over the treated area and a slight tightness to the skin. This will dissipate 12-48 hours after treatment has been administered, depending on the patient’s particular skin type. During the appointment, each patient will receive a handout explaining after-care guidelines and product recommendations.
How long will it take to see results?
Since Microneedling begins inducing collagen from the very first treatment, subtle improvements may be seen/felt even in the days following your first visit. This is only the beginning of a progressive process. Many patients do report noticeable improvement after healing from their second treatment, but the full benefits will become evident at the end of your full course treatment, which is typically once per month for 6 months.
What Should I Expect?

Before Treatment: If desired, topical anesthetic is applied before treatment to provide light numbing.

Gentle Treatment: Physician formulated, organic, vegan serum prepared for your skin’s individual needs will be applied. The MicroPen is then used to create controlled microchannels, eliciting your body’s healing response. This will remodel and rejuvenate your skin to provide a younger, more firm and radiant appearance. The treatment ends with a hydrojelly mask to maximize results and soothe the skin.

Post Treatment: Following treatment your skin may appear pink or slightly red, similar to a mild sunburn. This typically disappears after 12-24hrs. You will receive a patient aftercare kit to accelerate your recovery and results.

Results: Are sometimes apparent after one treatment and will improve over a series of 3-6 monthly treatments. Results will continue to progress for several months after your last treatment. With a consistent skincare routine results can last up to 5 years!

Before and After: