When
most people hear the word acupuncture there is a moment of hesitation. Isn’t
that needles? At Maine Roots Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, owned and run by
Kimberly Bickford, LAc.DiPL.O.M., professionalism and education are combined
with Chinese medicine that has been used successfully for hundreds of years.
“Acupuncture
is used when the chi is out of alignment to help the body fix itself. It
redirects the chi and blood flow to areas that need to be corrected. The body
is really incredible at healing itself,” Bickford said. Through the use of
thin, hair like needles, she is able to help correct issues her patients are
having.
“The
body almost opens up for it, instead of slicing and cutting,” she said. The
needles are very different than the ones used in a doctor’s office.
Bickford
works out of Raymond RediCare, 1278 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond, and has been
there since last October. “I love it here,” she said. She has been treating
patients for four years.
“In
the military I broke my back,” she said. She tried acupuncture treatments
because she wanted to be able to ride her horse again. After five treatments,
she was back on her horse. Her back issue is completely resolved and only
occasionally does she need touch ups if it gets reinjured.
In
her practice she treats a lot of pain, Bell’s palsy, gynecological issues like
infertility, digestive issues, Crohn’s Disease, IBS and heartburn. It is also
effective for seasonal allergies, stress and anxiety.
“It’s
starting to become a little more popular,” she said of the treatments. In
addition to acupuncture, she also does cupping, Qi-Gong and Gua Sha on
injuries.
Bickford
has an undergraduate degree in professional holistic development and two master’s
degrees in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
In
the herbal component to the practice, Bickford combines formulas from 487
single herbs that have been around for 200 years and modifies the blend for
each person. It can be a pill form or granules, depending on what she is
treating. The tinctures and herbs are sent from a manufacturing plant before
given to the patients.
Bickford
recommends the acupuncture first and then try herbs if that isn’t effective.
“The
benefits of acupuncture are so wonderful. I think putting more things in the
body isn’t necessary,” she said.
The
intake process lasts approximately an hour and a half to two hours to help her
create a plan to treat the whole person. By looking at the tongue or palpating
pulses, she can create a treatment plan for each individual.
“With
Chinese medicine, there’s no typical…everyone is different,” she said. The
treatment varies
with each person being seen. “Acupuncture is very good at
keeping people healthy,” she added. “It’s preventative medicine.” 
“Everybody
can benefit,” Bickford said. “It’s really not as scary as it seems.” She has worked on over 100 patients. Some feel
better with one treatment; others require a few to get the energy moving. The
typical patient is better in 10 treatments or fewer. With a diagnosis of
stress, the patient may need a few more treatments when new issues arise.
“Eighty
percent of people fall asleep on the table, which allows their body to do what
it needs to do,” she said.
Her
advice is “come in”. She’s had many patients who said they don’t like needles.
“I
determine the fear level and work with that,” she said. Most people leave
saying, “That was so relaxing” or “who thought getting stuck with needles could
be so relaxing.”
She
does not treat patients with seizure disorders. However herbal medicine can
work for those patients. “I'm also careful with patients on blood thinners.”
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