Business Details
Your Trusted Acupuncture & Wellness Partner in Wellesley
At Stepping Stone Acupuncture & Wellness, we partner with patients to enhance health through comprehensive, high-quality integrative medicine. Our team-based approach unites diverse practitioners to deliver personalized care, prioritizing active patient participation in healing. We emphasize listening, education, and empowerment, fostering holistic wellness through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and complementary therapies. Our values of professionalism, collaboration, inclusivity, and human connection guide every interaction, creating a supportive environment where patients and practitioners grow together. We maintain strict ethical standards, ensuring patient safety and confidentiality while promoting community well-being through compassionate, integrative healthcare.
Services
Acupuncture
Massage Therapy
Abdominal Therapy
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Craniosacral Therapy
Cupping
Reflexology
Vibrational Sound Therapy
Served areas
- Wellesley MA, Newton MA, Boston MA, Natick MA
Highlights and features
- We offer a team-based, integrative approach to healthcare with diverse therapeutic modalities
- Our practitioners specialize in treating chronic pain, mental health, and women's health
- We prioritize personalized care through active listening and patient education
- Our collaborative environment fosters continuous learning among practitioners
- We maintain strict ethical standards with a focus on patient safety and dignity
Associations and certifications
- Licensed Acupuncturists (by MA board of medicine), NCCAOM certification in Acupuncture & Oriental
- Medicine, NCCAOM Diplomate status
What people say
Skilled practitioners
Personalized care
Effective treatments
Compassionate environment
Holistic approach
Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses sterile single-use needles at specific points to alleviate pain and restore bodily balance. We offer adult, adolescent, and pediatric treatments for chronic pain, mental health, and systemic conditions. Our approach combines traditional techniques with modern understanding. Patients experience improved function and reduced symptoms through personalized treatment plans.
Massage Therapy
Our therapeutic massages incorporate deep tissue, myofascial release, and Swedish techniques. Specialized sessions include prenatal massage, manual lymphatic drainage, and trigger point therapy. Treatments address musculoskeletal pain, circulation issues, and stress relief. Sessions are tailored to individual needs with customized pressure and focus areas for optimal wellness outcomes.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Custom herbal formulations treat various health conditions using traditional Chinese medicine principles. We combine plant and mineral-based remedies for digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and chronic illnesses. Practitioners create personalized blends targeting specific symptoms while supporting overall wellness. Herbal therapy complements acupuncture and lifestyle modifications for comprehensive health management.
Craniosacral Therapy
This gentle technique rebalances bodily systems through subtle manipulation of cranial rhythms. It addresses headaches, TMJ pain, and neurological conditions by improving cerebrospinal fluid flow. Practitioners use light touch to release restrictions in the craniosacral system, promoting relaxation and self-correction of physiological dysfunctions.
Abdominal Therapy
Specialized abdominal massage realigns organs for improved function using Maya technique principles. We address digestive issues, reproductive health, and postural imbalances through external manipulation. Practitioners gently guide organs to optimal positions, enhancing circulation and nervous system regulation for digestive, respiratory, and gynecological wellness.
People
Marcie Bower
Co-owner
Marcie co-founded Stepping Stone with 10 years of acupuncture practice. She shifted focus to clinic oversight and business development, supporting practitioners and staff. Her experience ensures operational excellence while maintaining patient-centered care standards. She remains actively involved in strategic decision-making and professional development.
Karl Bower
Co-owner
Karl co-owns the clinic after practicing acupuncture for eight years. He now focuses on administrative support and clinic management. His clinical background informs business decisions while maintaining therapeutic integrity. He collaborates with practitioners to ensure high-quality patient care across all service lines.
Xi Yang
Acupuncturist
Licensed acupuncturist specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. Provides acupuncture, cupping, and herbal treatments for pain management and chronic conditions. Expertise includes pediatric acupuncture and holistic wellness approaches. Combines clinical precision with compassionate care for effective patient outcomes.
Vanessa Restrepo
Acupuncturist
Skilled acupuncturist offering personalized treatment plans for physical and emotional health. Specializes in pediatric acupuncture and cupping therapy. Focuses on non-invasive solutions for chronic pain and stress-related conditions. Emphasizes patient education alongside therapeutic interventions for comprehensive wellness.
Lauren McNamara
Office Manager
20-year customer service professional managing patient experience. Coordinates care delivery with individualized attention to patient needs. Implements operational systems for smooth clinic operations. Balances organizational expertise with warmth in supporting clinic's wellness mission.
Questions
What wellness services do you offer for chronic pain?
We provide acupuncture, massage therapy, cupping, and craniosacral therapy for chronic pain management. Our practitioners create personalized treatment plans combining these modalities for optimal pain relief and long-term wellness.
Do you accept insurance for acupuncture treatments?
Our insurance biller verifies acupuncture benefits with your provider. We submit claims for accepted insurance plans and help maximize your coverage for integrative wellness services.
Are pediatric acupuncture services available?
Yes, we offer specialized acupuncture treatments for children aged 0-12. Our practitioners use gentle techniques tailored to pediatric needs for conditions like allergies, digestive issues, and developmental challenges.
What parking options exist near your clinic?
Metered street parking available directly outside with 25¢/30 minutes. Use PaybyPhone or Passport apps. Avoid rush hour restrictions: no parking same side before 8:30 AM or opposite side 4-6 PM.
Can I combine multiple therapies in one treatment plan?
Absolutely, our integrative approach combines acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapies. Practitioners collaborate to create comprehensive treatment plans addressing both symptoms and underlying health concerns for optimal outcomes.
Reviews (7)
Brad Coons
Oct 15, 2020
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The most comprehensive health/wellness/physical therapy practice around. Stepping Stones is a stellar team of professionals who specialize in many aspects of health and wellness. After an accident with 6 months recovery/therapy, their multiple types of treatment allowed me to return to normal work and activity much sooner than the surgeon expected. They are miles ahead in adapting best practices in the changing world - tele/video-health sessions and more. 100% confidence in cleanliness and sterilization in the facility.
Meagan O.
Jul 06, 2019
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Karl and Marcie have created a very special wellness practice right here in Wellesley Hills. Every practitioner I have seen has been excellent at their craft - Karl, Marcie, Gerlie, Marissa and Erica. Everyone needs a little Stepping Stone in their life.
Home Team Moving
Mar 25, 2019
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My wife and I both love stepping stone. Easy booking process, super clean and professional environment, friendly staff. Not to mention great acupuncture. I have gotten help for a variety of issues. Highly recommend.
Teresa B.
Jan 12, 2017
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I see Marcie for acupuncture and Marissa for arvigo therapy and therapeutic massage. Marcie is one of the owners and is super knowledgeable and kind. She is patient, listens to me, and is never pushy when it comes to scheduling appointments. I can't say enough nice things about her. I found this place because of Marissa who I met during my first pregnancy at her class at Laughing Dog Yoga in Wellesley.
While trying to get pregnant the second time around she told me to see her at Stepping Stone for Arvigo therapy and now that I'm pregnant I see her monthly for therapeutic massages. She has such a wealth of information for hopeful and expectant mothers and is very supportive. I could go on for days! All in all, everyone I've interacted with here is so kind and has a sense of calm about them. I always look forward to my appointments!
While trying to get pregnant the second time around she told me to see her at Stepping Stone for Arvigo therapy and now that I'm pregnant I see her monthly for therapeutic massages. She has such a wealth of information for hopeful and expectant mothers and is very supportive. I could go on for days! All in all, everyone I've interacted with here is so kind and has a sense of calm about them. I always look forward to my appointments!
Marla D.
Mar 11, 2016
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I have been treated by several acupuncturists over the years for neck/shoulder pain, arteritis, sleep problems, etc and no one compares to Marcie and Karl. They are both kind, professional, caring, and extremely knowledgable. As a massage therapist, I recommend them to both my friends and clients!
Kasey B.
Feb 17, 2016
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This review is long over due. I've been seeing Karl for several months now and he has completely changed my life. I've suffered from terrible tension headaches for years- I've tried everything from muscle relaxers to Botox and nothing helped. After one session at Stepping Stones I noticed a huge difference. For my initial session I was really impressed with the complete medical and wellness background Karl took.
He asked questions I would have never thought were relevant to my headaches but it turns out it's all connected. Karl uses a combination of acupuncture, scraping and cupping to help relieve my muscle tension. Every time I come in he checks in with me to see how I'm doing physically and mentally and then tailors that day's treatment to my answers. My headaches have substantially diminished in frequency and pain level since I started at Stepping Stones.
He asked questions I would have never thought were relevant to my headaches but it turns out it's all connected. Karl uses a combination of acupuncture, scraping and cupping to help relieve my muscle tension. Every time I come in he checks in with me to see how I'm doing physically and mentally and then tailors that day's treatment to my answers. My headaches have substantially diminished in frequency and pain level since I started at Stepping Stones.
Pete Downing
Jan 27, 2015
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I will admit. I was a skeptic! My wife has been coming to Stepping Stone for a year now and talks about the benefits of Acupuncture. I figured I would give it a try! Marci is awesome! She takes the time to explain all the steps and answers any and all questions. She is a acupuncture expert in my opinion and really loves what she does and it shows with how she treats you. I am still early in my experience but can say I feel a difference right away in my knee and lower back.
If you are a skeptic or just want to give Acupuncture a try, I highly recommend Karl and Marci! They will educate you and make you realize the true benefit of being well! I look forward to getting my body's ch'i back in order!
If you are a skeptic or just want to give Acupuncture a try, I highly recommend Karl and Marci! They will educate you and make you realize the true benefit of being well! I look forward to getting my body's ch'i back in order!