106 Lafayette St, Yarmouth
ME 04096
+1 207-776-9673
Jessica Fromuth
Mon - Fri
By appointment only
Now in network with Harvard Pilgrim, the VA and Anthem.
ME 04096
Jessica Fromuth
By appointment only
Specializing in Women’s Health, Chronic Conditions and Aging with Vitality
If a patient comes in and says they have a headache I don’t just write down “headache” in my notes and move on. I want to know the specifics about what a headache means for you. Where do you feel them? How long do they last? How severe is the pain? How would you describe the pain? Sharp? Dull? Radiating? Is there anything that makes them better? And we go on from there. My job is to understand your unique situation as thoroughly as I can.
Different patients who all present with the same symptoms will NOT necessarily be given the same treatment. Why? Because the root cause of their symptoms are likely to be different. In the example of headaches, a woman with a headache could have a blood deficiency from excessive bleeding during childbirth. Another patient’s headaches could be due to chronic frustration at a stressful job. My job is to figure out what the underlying issues are and address them in the treatment.
I won’t just ask questions about your specific reason for seeking treatment. In my intake interview I will ask questions about many of your body systems. Why? Because the functioning of your whole body is relevant to the treatment. In Chinese Medicine many seemingly unrelated symptoms can stem from the same underlying cause. And when we treat the root cause, then many symptoms improve at the same time! My job is to keep the whole picture in mind as I work to alleviate current symptoms.
I have patients for whom many needles in a given treatment work well. I have patients who can only tolerate a few needles at a time. Because acupuncture is adaptable, I can shape my treatments to accommodate each of these patients. If someone is uncomfortable with a needle in one spot I can put a needle somewhere else and still achieve the desired affect. My job is to shape the treatment to make the whole experience a positive one for you.
Acupuncture has been used successfully for thousands of years to treat all kinds of conditions in patients of all types. It is totally natural and safe and harnesses your body’s inherent capacity to heal itself.
I have always been a very curious person. I love working one on one with people because it gives me the opportunity to learn about what makes each person unique. Because no two people are exactly alike, the work is always interesting. My relationship with my patients develops in part out of my curiosity about them. My ability to create a treatment that is uniquely effective for them follows from that.
My approach is also based on the assumption that no one knows you and your body better than you do. My knowledge of acupuncture is only part of what makes for an effective treatment. The other part is you. I strive to create an experience that is comfortable and positive in every way and only you can help me to do this.
I will spend the time to listen carefully to you and I will ask questions that help me to understand your situation more fully. I will follow your progress from one treatment to the next to be sure we are staying on the right track. I will encourage you to take care of yourself in a way that supports your goals. I will explain acupuncture concepts in a way that you can understand and use in your daily life. And I am always eager to answer any questions you have. These are some of the important features of my approach to acupuncture. I am eager to work with you to create the life you want and I am truly honored and privileged to be a part of that process.
1988 — BS in Biology, UC Santa Cruz
1989 — One year certificate program in Modern Dance, UC Santa Cruz
1992 — MFA in Modern Dance, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1994 — Massage Therapy Degree — Potomac Massage Training Institute (PMTI)
1995-2001 — Instructor in Anatomy and Physiology at PMTI and Howard Community College
2012 — Masters of Acupuncture, Maryland University of Integrative Health (Formerly Tai Sophia Institute)
My training was in classical 5-element acupuncture, which is based on the theory of the 5-elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. This theory views all of the world, including plants, animals and humans, as well as inanimate objects like rocks, as manifestations of one of the five-elements. Illness is viewed as an imbalance in one or more of the elements. By recognizing the specific signs that relate to each of the elements, the practitioner can identify which element is most in need of attention. Treating this element addresses the root of the problem. Because the functioning of all of the elements is so closely interrelated, treating one element will result in changes to all of them.
