Carolyn Shannon Sullivan LIC. AC

Acupuncturist

24 S Main St. Randolph MA, 02368 Show map

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About

Carolyn Sullivan is an acupuncturist practicing in Randolph, Ma. She evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and examining abnormalities in skin discoloration, sensitivity, scar tissues and the like.. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific points on the body based on a patients' diagnosis. Stimulation of the needles is how the energy system, or qi, is activated. Acupuncture is a great way to treat physical pain as well as emotional stress in a gentle, non-invasive manner. Call today to see if acupuncture is right for you!

Education and Training

New England School of Acupunct Masters of Acupuncture 2009

Provider Details

Female English

Carolyn Shannon Sullivan LIC. AC

Carolyn Shannon Sullivan LIC. AC's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can acupuncture help the flu?
Well, it may not be able to stop the flu if you already have a weakened immune system, but it can help to strengthen your immune system. Exposure to people who are sick definitely affect your chances of getting sick, but the best thing that you can do is get plenty of rest, eat healthfully, stay hydrated and wash those hands!! READ MORE
Can acupuncture hit a nerve?
Acupuncturists are trained in proper technique and depth of needling. The one exception to that rule might be needling PC6, which is used for nausea among other things. It is situated on the inner wrist and sometimes the median nerve can be hit because of the close proximity to the point and the tight musculature/tendinous area. Yet, I have needled that point many times without a problem. So the short answer is, yes, it is possible to hit a nerve. Every practitioner has completed a minimum of 700 hours of clinic even before they start practicing on their own. We have been trained on anatomy and how to locate points effectively without causing harm. Think positive! Acupuncture can be very helpful for a multitude of ailments. It will help you if you give it at least 6 -8 treatments and trust that your practitioner knows what he or she is doing. READ MORE
Which is better acupuncture or acupressure?
Both are good, but using needles on the acupoints definitely goes deeper to achieve maximum benefit. Acupressure is great when you have someone who is afraid of needles. I have had patients that did not want needles, only acupressure. They were happy with the results but when I asked them to try needles, they did and were surprised how practically painless it was. READ MORE
Can acupuncture release trapped emotions?
I have had patients become very emotional on the table. It's not always the case though, even if you are seeking treatment for depression/anxiety/mental health issues. How patients respond to acupuncture varies greatly among individuals. It also can depend on how frequently you get treatment. Those patients that come regularly, usually weekly and for at least 6-8 sessions will see the best results. As with any type of medicine, there is no guarantee but the more you can do for yourself, such as getting counseling, proper rest, etc, the better results all around with acupuncture. Good luck!!! READ MORE
How quickly does acupuncture work for back pain?
It depends upon many factors; how severe your condition is, how long after injury you are seeking treatment with acupuncture, and so on. If you are overweight or sedentary, it may take longer or you may not respond at all. It truly is on a case-by-case basis. Have you had any surgeries-back related or not? Scar tissue can form and complicate how well or quickly you respond to acupuncture. How is your posture? Do you exercise regularly? What is your diet and water intake like? Do you wear supportive shoes or walk barefoot often? As you can see, there are multiple factors involved how well you will respond to treatment. Ask your local practitioner about your particular case. Good luck!! READ MORE
Can acupuncture cure cataracts?
Acupuncture is not necessarily a "cure" for anything. There has been improvement in vision over time with acupuncture, but a cure, I am very reluctant to say. Chinese medicine works by fixing imbalances, strengthening the immune system, improving sleep and so on. And by doing so, there is healthy nerve regeneration, hormone level balancing and other body processes that aid in vision repair. If someone is predisposed to cataracts, or has a family history, there may be little acupuncture can do to prevent it. Oftentimes, surgery is warranted, and only your doctor can say for certain how advanced your cataracts are and if they will respond to acupuncture treatment or not. READ MORE
Does acupuncture help nausea?
Certain types of medications, if you are taking any, can cause nausea. So if that is the case for you, you may not get great results with acupuncture. But it may help in taking the edge off of the nausea. Our bodies have a way of letting us know that something is wrong and nausea may be a signal. We tend to ignore those signals because we attribute it to too much coffee, stress, etc and do nothing about it. Please check with your doctor to make sure something more serious isn't going on. If you have been checked out, you may want to look at your diet. Certain foods like tomato sauce, coffee, chocolate and so on, have been known to cause GERD, which can feel like nausea. Eating late at night, taking meds on an empty stomach, exercising late at night, etc have been known to cause nausea. Look at your lifestyle habits and check with your doctor first, but if none of the above mentioned are an issue, then acupuncture can be helpful. It really depends upon your constitution and lifestyle factors. Excess weight on a small frame can cause acid reflux, feeling like nausea. Look into what may be causing the nausea that you can change, you may not need acupuncture!!! Good luck! READ MORE
Do pressure points really work?
Yes, applying pressure to known acupoints can be helpful, if they are massaged in the right way. For instance, if you are having headaches or neck pain, you may want to massage LI4 (locate by finding the halfway point of your pointer finger and roll just off the bone to the fleshy part of your hand) in a counterclockwise manner, very hard pressure and deeply. That is what we call a dispersive technique, meaning to disperse or break up pain or stagnation. If you want to tonify a point, which is to build up something that is deficient, then you would want to find a point and massage gently and slowly in a clockwise manner. One such point may be ST36, which is for stomach issues among a plethora of others, but can be used often for promoting optimal immune system function. To locate this point, use 4 fingers to measure from the 'eyes of the knees', which are the two divots found on either side of your patella. Measure four fingers from the divots and draw an imaginary line there. Then two fingers over from the tibia you will feel a slight or very deep depression, depending upon how deficient one's immune system is. You can also locate these points by looking them up online and they will have photos and tips of how to locate them. Needling these points is more effective, in my opinion, as the needles reach the desired depth and are manipulated in a way to bring the qi to the surface. But if needles are not going to be used and you want to treat yourself by using acupressure, just make sure you have the right location and learn how the point should be treated. Good luck!! READ MORE
Can acupressure help swollen knees?
Acupuncture does a great job with swelling but it depends upon what is the cause of your swelling. Have you been checked out for any autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis? Some AI conditions cause frequent swelling and even if acupuncture can help with eliminating that, the swelling may return soon after. I would suggest even before acupuncture, try eliminating dairy out of your diet for a few weeks. Dairy is just one out of many foods that are known to cause swelling in certain conditions. Sugar or gluten-containing foods also can be to blame. If weight is an issue, then swollen knees are a given because they are working hard to uphold your body. You might want to try a cleanse to eliminate any toxins that may be present to see if that makes a difference and slowly reintroduce certain foods one by one to see if you get a reaction. Food or drug allergies may be the cause so you might want to get checked for those. If you are on any medications, check the side effects list to see if swelling can be one of the side effects. Good luck! READ MORE
Does acupuncture help mental illness?
Acupuncture can help balance that which is out of balance in Chinese Medicine theory. But it is NOT a substitute for anti psychotic meds and others when they are needed. Acupuncture can help improve mood, balance hormone levels, lower cortisol levels in the brain (which gives you that happy, euphoric feeling), help with sleep and so on. All of these can improve symptoms related to mental illness but it is NOT a cure all and medications are definitely warranted in most if not all cases. Check with your doctor and psychiatrist to determine which medications are right for you. Good luck! READ MORE
Is acupuncture safe during first trimester?
Acupuncture is safe through all trimesters. Any licensed practitioner knows which points to avoid during pregnancy. If you are putting your health into the hands of a seasoned acupuncturist, you can put your baby in those hands as well and know that he or she will use a gentle technique and will check in with you throughout your treatment session. Congrats on your pregnancy and give acupuncture a try!!!! READ MORE
Does acupuncture help nerve pain?
Hi, I am sorry you are having pain. Acupuncture has been shown to help with nerve pain, but it depends upon what your medical condition is. Do you have a disc impinging on a nerve? If that's the case, then surgery may be warranted. Is it nerve pain from fibromyalgia or another autoimmune disease? I have seen some results with acupuncture, but results can vary from person to person. If there are any comorbid conditions present, it may be a bit trickier to treat. Multiple medications and obesity can also complicate things. My suggestion to you would be to ask your pain management team, assuming you have one, what is the best avenue to take for your pain. Medications may be necessary. If you are aiming to avoid surgery, I would suggest trying chiropractic care and/or PT along with acupuncture, so long as your PCP says it would be safe for you. If there is a disc pressing on a nerve, then seeing a chiropractor would be my first stop. Consult with your team first, as I am not an MD. Good luck and feel better! READ MORE
How effective is acupuncture for arthritis?
Acupuncture can be very effective for arthritic conditions, but it depends upon the severity of your condition. Other factors affect treatment outcomes as well, such as being overweight, diet, activity level, current medications, proper hydration, wearing proper foot support, living environment (a damp or musty household, smoky, etc.). Have you had other types of treatment before? If so, were they helpful? Movement, however small, is important. A personal trainer once told me, "motion is lotion," as motion can help lubricate the joints. I would suggest adding to your diet foods that support bone health such as low fat milk and cheeses, green leafy vegetables (especially celery), tofu; foods and drinks that contain Vit D, Calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Although, if you are lactose intolerant, dairy can cause inflammation of the joints and make arthritis worse. Replace the missing Calcium and Vit. D with other nutrients in beans and certain veggies is key, but you could also try lactose free or soy products. I know for myself, personally, as I've gotten older my bones and joints ache more, but I've also put on weight with age, and extra weight only makes arthritis worse. So, work on maintaining a healthy weight, make dietary changes, move more, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, make sure you are getting proper "restorative" sleep, drink plenty of water, wear shoes that have ample support. All of these things can help greatly with pain, but with acupuncture in the mix, you should see some results. Feel better and good luck! READ MORE
Can acupuncture help with dermatitis?
Acupuncture has long been utilized as a means of healing skin conditions. But it can be a challenge. Dermatitis can be due to what you are eating, hormones, allergies, etc. Honestly, I have not had great luck with skin issues, partly because we can't control hormones or allergies. But you can control what you put into your body. Finding out if you suffer from food allergies could be your first stop. Stress can also cause skin problems, so getting that under control would be key. Try using hypoallergenic soaps/shampoos and the like to see if that does the trick. Excess perspiration and heat in places like the elbows usually can worsen dermatitis so you might want to wear loose clothing that would allow for ample air flow. Change your clothing during the day so as to avoid sweating. All of these things can be helpful but if there is a hormonal imbalance or if allergies are prevalent, there may be little acupuncture can do. Good luck! READ MORE
Can acupressure cure thyroid?
First off, I do not look at Chinese Medicine as a "cure" but as an aid to healing. As with any type of medicine, there is no guarantee of success with treatment. There are however, different approaches to treat thyroid issues, with needling, magnet therapy and so on. I have worked on patients in the past with just acupressure and no needles, but not for thyroid problems. In many cases, medication is warranted but it is wise to first seek less invasive treatment for your condition. Your practitioner would want to know if it is hypo or hyper thyroidism, if there are any tumors present, if there are any other comorbid conditions, what your diet is like, what your past surgery history looks like and so on. Give acupuncture a try to find out if it is right for you. Good luck! READ MORE
Can acupuncture help with thyroid problems?
Acupuncture can be helpful but it depends upon the severity of your condition. Have you been diagnosed with hypo or hyperthyroidism? Do you have a specialist? Are you on medication for this condition? Have you had an MRI and if so, was a tumor or nodule detected on the thyroid or surrounding tissues? How well you will respond to acupuncture can depend upon these factors. There are several approaches that can be used in cases of both hypo and hyperthyroidism, but other comorbid conditions may complicate treatment. If you are taking any medications, you may want to check and see if there are any side effects regarding the thyroid. Acupuncture cannot cure thyroid issues but check with your doctor to see if acupuncture could be helpful in your case. Good luck! READ MORE
Where is the pressure point for stomach aches?
Well, that depends upon the source and etiology of the stomachaches. But a quick answer would be stomach 36 (ST36). To find this point, locate the "eyes of the knee" by feeling for two divots to either side of your patella. Then take 4 fingers and place them underneath these divots. Draw a line across horizontally. Then take your thumb and put it on the tibia ( front leg bone) towards the outer side of the leg. You will probably feel a depression or divot in the spot. That is the main point for stomach issues. There are many others but it depends upon your Chinese medical diagnosis and your practitioner can help diagnose you accurately. It isn't just about using the correct acupoints. Your case may be complex and require a full workup to treat you effectively. READ MORE
Is acupuncture effective for hip bursitis?
It can help depending upon the severity of your condition. Have you done any other type of therapy for this? Are you overweight? Do you exercise and stretch regularly? What do you do for work? Do you do a lot of bending/sitting/standing? Have you seen a chiropractor? Oftentimes, they can identify an issue with your gait or posture and offer solutions to treat it effectively. All of these things factor into how well you would do with acupuncture. In the meantime, if weight is an issue, work on it. Exercise and stretch daily. Drink plenty of water and avoid soda, it leeches phosphorus and calcium from bones. Make sure you have a supportive mattress to sleep on. Wear supportive shoes/sneakers and avoid flip flops and heels. Good luck!! READ MORE
How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for knee pain?
Well, that depends upon the severity of your condition. Have you had an x-ray? Do you know if there is any damage to your knee or surrounding tissues/structures? If you have torn anything then surgery may be warranted. Are you overweight? Extra weight can really tax the knees over time, as they have too large of a load to support. What is your activity level like? If you are sitting too much or standing too much, that can affect how well you respond to acupuncture. What you do for work (or play) can also determine your response to treatment. And lastly, proper footwear is essential to support the weight of your body and cushion your knees. Good luck!! READ MORE
Can acupuncture be done without needles?
I have treated patients with pressure point work instead of using needles with some success. With my finger using pressure on the points that I would have needled can bring about positive results but needles, going to the depth that they do, accesses qi much more efficiently. If you are worried about pain from needling, I want to assure you that acupuncture needles are very thin and do not feel like hypodermic needles. They are solid and not much thicker than a human hair. Needles are encased in a plastic guide tube and I put a lot of pressure on the guide tube so by the time the needle gets inserted you usually don't feel much at all. At least that what my patients tell me!!! But if you are dead set on not using needles, acupressure can be applied to the acupoints. There are other tools acupuncturists use to illicit a response; cupping, gua sha, magnets, press tacks, press seeds, therapeutic massage, moxibustion and so on. Good luck and be well. READ MORE