The Art and Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Food Energetics and Herbal Healing
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is like a timeless conversation between humanity and nature, a dialogue that’s been refining itself for over 80 centuries. As an integrative practitioner, I’ve watched patients walk into my clinic skeptical, only to leave with a newfound respect for the power of a well-placed herb or a bowl of congee. TCM’s approach to health—using food and herbs to harmonize the body’s Qi, Yin, and Yang—is both an art and a science, grounded in observation and elevated by intuition.

“I feel so privileged to be in the position, for the rest of my life, to help others. The best part of my job is being able to help people truly heal. Most people, to some degree, are in some level of pain, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. My goal as a provider is not only to treat symptoms, but more importantly to treat the root causes of those symptoms to help people truly be well and live vibrantly. That’s what wellness is, and that’s what I love to help others achieve.”

When Melinda is not treating patients, you will most likely find her in the ocean with her family on the Seacoast of NH. Melinda is an avid surfer (yes, even during the New England winters!), certified yoga teacher, and lifelong athlete. She possesses an innate appreciation of the importance of developing and maintaining a strong and healthy body and mind.

As a licensed Acupuncturist, Melinda blends the best of both eastern and western medicine. In addition to her education and clinical experience, Melinda spent over a decade training doctors in medical devices and robotic surgical technology. As a result, she has an excellent foundation and appreciation for western medicine, while recognizing the importance of comprehensive, integrative care for patients. Compelled by helping others, she made the decision to leave her career and become a healthcare provider herself. Melinda chose the field of Acupuncture because it gives her the unique opportunity to provide personalized, holistic, patient-centered care.

Melinda Ferreira is a nationally board-certified Diplomate of Acupuncture, and is licensed to practice in the state of NH. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters Degree in Acupuncture from the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS University. During her 3 years of training, she completed clinical internships at Massachusetts General Hospital, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Cambridge Health Alliance, MCPHS University, and Element Care Senior Clinic. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease contains two parts analogous to the roots and branches of a tree. The symptoms are like branches, and if you only treat them, the same roots will soon grow the same symptoms again. To effectively heal, one must address the root cause of the of illness so the tree may grow healthy branches. Additionally, two people may both experience a similar disease but have very different underlying root causes. Likewise, two others may have very different diseases but have the same root cause. At Rooted Medicine, Andrea Hingst L.Ac. MSOM, draws from experiences in integrated hospitals and private practice to combine traditional Chinese therapies with modern functional medicine to identify each individual’s unique foundational imbalance to heal from the roots up.

We blend traditional Chinese acupuncture with a modern bodywork approach to provide extraordinarily effective relief from pain, headaches and migraines, stress, depression and anxiety, insomnia, digestive complaints and more.