I began seeing Nils for a chronic cough and migraine headaches. I had the cough for about a year, and had seen just about every type of traditional medicine physician in the book. They told me I had non-allergic rhinitis (after two rounds of negative allergy testing) and reactive airway disease. Basically all the symptoms of allergies and asthma, but without those actual diagnoses. I had also had migraines for about 16 years and had recently seen a neurologist who put me on a medicine to prevent the headaches as I was getting them too frequently to bear. All in all I was taking about 7 prescription medicines!! I hated the idea of being on so many medications and really wanted to find a way to become healthier more naturally.

The first time I came to see Nils I was terribly nervous, as I do not like needles whatsoever, but I had become so desperate for relief that I was willing to try just about anything. I immediately noticed that Nils was quite unlike all the other practitioners that I had been to. He didn’t rush me, he took the time to really listen to my situation and genuinely seemed concerned and interested in helping me. When I was finally on the table and he was preparing to begin a physical diagnosis he could tell that I was nervous and asked if a “test” needle would help me to relax (as he probably couldn’t get an accurate pulse reading due to my nervousness!) Once I felt that the needles were so painless, I immediately was able to relax and he was able to continue.
As he began to place the rest of the needles for my first treatment I was amazed at how skilled he was and how wonderful the effects of the needles were. I continued to see Nils once or twice a week and quickly began to notice an overall improvement in how I felt. After about 2 months, I began to go down on my dose of migraine medicine (with the neurologist’s approval) and by about 6 months went off of the medicine completely, as I continue to see him for overall well being and to maintain my headache prevention. As for the cough, that too has dissipated and I slowly was able to discontinue all of the prescriptions for the cough as well.
More recently I’ve had a minor back strain that he has been treating and I notice a marked improvement after each visit. The muscle relaxing massage prior to electrical stimulation through the needles has made such a difference.
I can easily say that my life has changed for the better since I began to see Nils and routinely recommend him to everyone I can!

Meagan K. - Nov 08, 2009

Nils Erickson is an incredible alternative practitioner.  He is extremely empathetic; he truly feels your pain.  He listens, which is an ability that is very hard to find in today’s medical arenas.  Nils incorporates acupuncture, massage, herbs and his knowledge of western medicine to aid each individual case.  Four members of my family see Nils and he’s helped each of us with our very different concerns.  His skills produce results.  You will not be sorry if you seek out Nils for whatever ails you.  I recommend Nils without reservation.

Jeanne L. ‎ - October 2009

Nils Erickson I can’t say enough about him.  He took the time to listen when I first went to see him and made me feel right at ease.  I’m not one for needles but he told me I wouldn’t feel them at all.  He was right.  I felt great after my first appointment.  He cares about his clients and he takes the time to find out how things are going with you.  Now how rare is that.  Each visit I felt better and stronger the stress levels I had just melted away and I also have been able to maintain my weight. 

Edie Colantonio - June 30, 2009

I'd run out of options for my headaches. I am very pleased with the results from acupuncture.

Sharon of Medway, MA - February 18, 2009

Relief from my neck and shoulder pain.
After my first treatment I got good relief from my chronic neck pain. He used electric acupuncture and a little massage and after four visits I am pain free. Thank you for very good and effective work! 

 John‎ - Feb 17, 2009

Nils, of Acupuncture of Medway is very knowledgeable & has a deep understanding of the bodies systems. Since I started having acupuncture treatments my body is in much better balance & my over all health has improved. I would highly recommend Acupuncture treatments by Nils Erickson. Thanks so much.

Karen, Atlantis Path Finder Reiki & Feng Shui Healing of Natick, MA - January 20, 2009

Nils is the best acupuncturist ever! The quality of care is excellent. He is extremely professional, knowledgeable and caring. His background in western medicine allows him to combine the best of eastern and western medicine for the benefit of his patients. He has been able to get amazing results in difficult circumstances, for me as well as other members of my family.  Excellent!‎

Valerie‎ - Jan 15, 2009

Dear Nils - Thanks so much for your participation in the project of bringing Anna into this world.  I think your acupuncture treatments complemented our infertility treatment very well, allowing me to relax and focus my energy appropriately!  I appreciate the enthusiasm, focus and curiosity you brought to the treatments.  And now we can celebrate the end result!
C.P. December 2009

As I write this, I am eleven days from my due date, and the baby is banging around in my belly. I am blissfully happy, and my husband is over the moon. When my friends ask about our success after such a long time of disappointment, I do not hesitate to credit Nils.  

My husband and I decided that we would like to be parents on our third anniversary. I threw away my birth control pills, and three months later we started trying to conceive, sure that it would be easy. It was not.  

During the years to follow, we underwent testing, waiting, more testing, a diagnosis of and operation for endometriosis, still no pregnancies, the full compliment of Western infertility treatments from IUI to IVF (three times, no success), the conclusion of “unexplained infertility,” my decision not to inject any more hormones into myself even if we never had a baby, several years of nothing, a brief flirtation with starting infertility treatment again that ended up not happening, two spontaneous pregnancies, and two equally spontaneous 11^th-week miscarriages.  

We were nearly ten years older than we had been when we began this journey, and I, at least, was becoming resigned to the fact that I just wasn’t going to be able to carry a baby to term when a friend opined that she wished I could see her acupuncturist in Philadelphia because she was sure that the good doctor would be able to cure my ills. 

 I had never had acupuncture, or any other non-Western medicinal treatment, before, but I was intrigued enough to start doing a little Internet research and found a local practitioner who had “fertility” listed as one of his specialties. I first showed up there in June of 2008 and, having gone through our history, assured him that I would not consider it his fault if I never got pregnant, considering all that we had already been through. He told me that in Chinese medicine we would be hoping to see positive results within a year.  

I started seeing Nils twice a week (my husband also saw him, about twice a month). He soon diagnosed me as being deficient in my kidney qi and having yang deficiency as well. I didn’t know what any of that meant, but at least it sounded like something that could be treated. Over the next several months, besides the twice-weekly needle treatments, Nils used moxabustion to warm up my chilly yang and sent me home with a batch of herbs every two weeks or so to brew up into a concoction which, despite sometimes tasting truly awful, I gamely drank every day.  

I began charting my basal temperature every morning, and we started to see some progress; in fact, I thought we had actually hit the jackpot after only one month of treatment, but that proved not to be the case. Still, I was feeling honestly optimistic for the first time in a very long while.  

In October, our family experienced an unexpected and tragic death that required us to leave the state for a while. I brought my herbal concoction with me, though, and continued to drink the required amount every day. When I returned, the stress of the preceding weeks seemed to have taken a toll on my system; my cycle was extremely irregular (unheard of for me, Mrs. 26-Days-Like Clockwork) through early December. My husband was also going away on a business trip, so it seemed the unlikeliest of possible times to become pregnant, but I continued seeing Nils, undergoing treatment twice a week, drinking my herbs, and charting my basal temperatures. 

After my husband’s return, we went away for Christmas. I returned to see Nils in January. During my first visit, after taking my pulse, he said, “So, do you think you could be pregnant?” I laughed and said, “No way, impossible, I’m a few days late but my body’s been so whacked out the last couple of months, I’m not really surprised.”  

When I returned for my next visit, my new cycle still had not started (again, unheard of for me), and Nils asked if I’d be willing to take a pregnancy test. He had even bought one for me. I took it to the bathroom mainly to prove him wrong. I was astonished by how quickly it came up positive.  

I was in a state of shock throughout my treatment, and when I got home and my husband asked how my day had been, I replied, “Surprising.” I honestly still didn’t believe it myself; a week later, I actually repeated the test at home, and again it came up positive almost immediately. Only then did I call my GP and my mother. 

 I continued to see Nils for treatment throughout the pregnancy. We were all on pins and needles through the first trimester (understandably, given my history), but sailed through into the second and then the third. My treatments have become less frequent and more about massage and comfort, but I continue to receive needles to uterine-support points in my legs as well. 

I am convinced that the acupuncture and the treatment plan that he devised enabled me to get to this point. I am even hopeful that there might be a sibling to come, despite my advancing age. I encourage anyone who has been suffering with “unexplained infertility” to see Nils and find out what he might be able to do for you. I cannot properly put into words just how much he has done for us. I only wish I had tried this sooner. 

PS: THE HAPPY ENDING!

My water broke ten days later, and our beautiful, healthy, perfect baby boy was born the next morning, exactly on his due date.  He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured twenty and a half inches long.  He is a charmer and the light of our lives.  I wish you all similarly happy endings!
Catherine C.  - Ashland, MA