Carol Vafides, M. Ac., Lic. Ac. holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Masters degree in Acupuncture, which she received at the New England School of Acupuncture. Carol opened her private practice in 1994. 

 

In addition to her private practice, Carol worked as a per diem acupuncturist in the Nursing Integrative Care /Caring and Healing Modalities Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA. Her treatment focus there was to care for staff using a community style of acupuncture for stress reduction. 

 

She developed and taught Acupressure Level 1 and Level 2 classes for nurses. Classes were designed to help nurses manage patient symptoms and their own self-care.  

 

Carol contributed to the development and implementation of two research studies done by the Nursing Integrative Care/Caring and Healing Modalities Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

 

The first study, in 2012, was designed to investigate the efficacy of “Auricular Acupuncture on Stress and Anxiety and Its impact on caring with Inpatient Health Care Team members. The success of this project was published in the May/June 2014 issue of Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing Journal.  

 

The favorable result of the second study, “Reducing Anxiety and Improving Engagement in Health Care Providers Through Auricular Acupuncture Intervention” was published in  the March/April 2018 issue of Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing Journal.

 

In 2014 Carol was key guest speaker at Miracles in Our Midst;

The 5th Annual Spirituality & Nursing Conference sponsored by Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Mass General Hospital. 

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Carol's Philosophy

Chinese medicine supports the actuality that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Through listening carefully; using highly developed intuitive skills, I can help release the obstructions preventing patients from experiencing optimum health. During our work together patients are encouraged and supported in the process of increasing their self-awareness and to identify the life-style changes necessary to attain good health and well-being.  

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In response to COVID-19

Acupuncture is a valuable treatment to enhance immune system function as a well as being a stress and anxiety reducer.

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The following are guidelines that reflect my philosophy from the American Acupuncture Council:

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• Do your best not to live in fear or anxiety about the situation.  Yes, it is a serious matter that requires our attention.  However, it is important to note that when we get trapped in a fear response our immune systems shut down in favor of survival mechanisms, which actually further heighten our anxiety! Be wise and discerning about your lifestyle practices and choices, and trust you are doing what you can to keep yourself and your family safe.

• Fresh air is vital to healthy immunity - make a point of getting outside, daily.  Even as little as 10 to 15 minutes three times throughout the day will benefit you.

• Rest!  Get plenty of sleep and rest.

• Take some time off, perhaps use this time for a personal at-home retreat where you just enjoy some time spent away from work, extra-curricular activities and the hustle and bustle of life.  Walks in nature, healthy dinners together with your family, board games, curling up with a good book and limiting your social contact are all enriching ways to protect yourself from community transmission.

• Increase your consumption of anti-oxidant and nutrient-dense infection-fighting foods like: organic blueberries, raspberries, spinach, sprouts, garlic, onions, ginger, parsley, cilantro, spirulina, celery juice, bone broth and fermented foods and beverages.

• Drink lots of water. Drinking good quality water and herbal teas, staying hydrated, is one of the best things you can do to flush out toxins from your body and help support the immune system.

• Keep your immune system strong by reducing your sugar intake and eating a balanced diet.  Avoid eating processed sugars. Sugar weakens the immune system and makes it less able to deal with viruses and bacteria.  Be sure to read food labels carefully and to limit the amount of sugar you eat.

• Use common sense.