Balanced Health Acupuncture

Leslie Murphy, Owner, Licensed Acupuncturist

My Health Journey

Thank you for visiting my web site and for considering Balanced Health Acupuncture for your health needs. My first exposure to acupuncture was as a patient several years ago. I was struggling with chronic pain that limited the simplest of daily activities and began to impact my ability to go to work. Looking for a health alternative to the surgery that was suggested, I began a course of acupuncture treatments which began a health journey that eventually left me pain free and without the need for surgery. Upon trying acupuncture, I got the “acupuncture bug” and wanted to soak up everything there was to know about this form of medicine. I was fascinated by the fact that it was a form of medicine that has been practiced for over 2,000 years, which takes into account the whole person and goes beyond a simple “band-aid” approach to treatment and gets to the root cause of the disease, illness or injury while strengthening the body to prevent future illness. It was my passion for the medicine and my desire to be that conduit, as my acupuncturist was for me, for others struggling with chronic pain and other health issues that prompted me to return to graduate school to become an acupuncturist.

My Training and Qualifications

I am licensed to practice acupuncture by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. I am also nationally certified, having been awarded the Diplomate in Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.) status, from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) after successfully passing extensive national board examinations. The "Dipl.Ac." designation indicates an acupuncturist has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture as defined by the profession. It has been the mark of excellence in the field of Chinese Medicine since the Commission’s inception in 1982.

I earned my Master in Acupuncture, a three-year graduate degree, from the New England School of Acupuncture, the oldest school of acupuncture in the United States. My training included over 2,000 hours of classroom training on traditional Chinese medicine and Western anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology as well as over 1,000 clinical hours including a one year clinical “residency.” I have also studied extensively with Tom Tam, Lic.Ac., the founder of Tong Ren Therapy, and with Mark Mincolla, Ph.D. and Paul Pitchford, the author of Healing with Whole Foods, to augment my nutrition training. I specialize in both Chinese and Japanese acupuncture styles and non-insertive techniques. I am also certified in Tong Ren Therapy by the Oriental Cultural Institute and Auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) by the Auriculotherapy Institute of California. Prior to opening my own practice, I treated patients at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain, MA and Dimock Community Health Center in Roxbury, MA. Currently, I also offer acupuncture treatments on-site at the Ocean Spray corporate headquarters.

In August 2009, I was awarded the Tsay Fellowship by the Tsay Foundation of Chinese Medicine, founded by former New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) professor Kuen-Shii Tsay. The Tsay Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding NESA graduate who is likely to make a significant contribution to the profession of acupuncture.

Before pursuing my acupuncture degree, I had a career in higher education having worked at both Boston College and Wheaton College. I also hold a Masters degree in social work from Boston College and a Bachelors degree from Davidson College, home of the Wildcats! When I am not treating patients, you can find me catching the latest movie with my husband, reading health and wellness magazines and books, taking walks or practicing qigong. I am also a proud Aunt to my five nieces and nephews!

My Philosophy

As you may have noticed from my logo, I chose the image of the stone cairn to reflect the philosophy of my approach to acupuncture and health.  Stone cairns are often found in nature and have been used by people across the centuries to mark specific sites or landmarks along one's path. It is my goal that Balanced Health Acupuncture be a marked site on each patient's health journey where you can find healing, hope and comfort.

The image of stones of various shapes and sizes stacked on top of each other to form one balanced structure is representative to me of the goal we each have to find balance in our lives. We all juggle responsibilties, ailments, goals and dreams of various weights and sizes, but it's how we balance them all that we find contentment in life.

Amy Benson, Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Practitioner

Amy Benson graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) with a Master in Oriental Medicine. Amy is licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine and is nationally certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In addition to studying Chinese acupuncture, Amy also completed the NESA herbal program and is a licensed Chinese herbal practitioner. Amy's passion for Chinese medicine is evident in her care of each patient.

Amy offers acupuncture treatments, Chinese herbal medicine consultations and prescriptions as well as non-insertive treatments using tuning forks.

Learn more about Balanced Health Acupuncture by watching this video: