The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES - Christopher and Meredith Cheshire relocated to The Villages from New York for both personal and professional reasons.

"We left not only for our patients, but this is such a good place to live," Christopher Cheshire said. "It's a matter of lifestyle down here. It's quieter, less stressful."

The Cheshires own and operate Mulberry Oriental Medicine, which treats patients through Chinese healing practices. He studied Oriental medicine at New York College and spent three and a half years working with Rong Da Zhu, a fourth-generation Oriental doctor and one of the most renowned acupuncturists in New York. Cheshire left a prominent New York practice where he treated more than 12,000 patients.

"What we're doing with herbs and acupuncture is helping people combat everyday problems," Cheshire said. "We focus on the whole Chinese medicine practice."

Acupuncture can alleviate and treat numerous health issues beyond pain, including arthritis, digestive disorders, women's health issues and stroke paralysis. The stainless steel needles are very thin, disposable and meant to push skin away, not cut it like traditional needles.

Acupuncture is intended to be painless, and Cheshire said that if one out of every 100 needles hurts, it is considered a big deal.

"We want to introduce acupuncture to (The Villages) as an alternative for general, overall help," he said. "Our main goal is to help people and educate as many as we can."

Education can be obtained at clinic seminars focusing on digestive disorders, arthritis, women's health, diabetes and pain management. Seminars will be conducted each day this week, once a week thereafter, and are available upon request for large groups, such as Villages clubs.

"We'd be happy to go and give a talk to them," Cheshire said. "We're here to get people in and help them."

Mulberry Oriental Medicine treats patients from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will work to accommodate patients' schedules and needs. The office is located at 8491 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane, and can be reached at 430-2720.

Mulberry Oriental Medicine also provides herbal therapy and counseling on vitamins, minerals and nutrition. Tui na, a nonaggressive Chinese massage technique, is also available. Tui na is a combination of stretching and massage that incorporates pushing and pulling techniques. Cheshire is offering complimentary 20-minute consultations to discuss patients' problems and to see how he can help.

"In most cases we can help you," he said. "If not, then we'll try to find someone who will. If I can't help you, I won't try."

Cheshire may recommend health foods or supplements, but all herbal prescriptions are provided on location. More than 300 powders can be mixed together, or with raw and dried herbs, to formulate options for harsh medicines.

"People are tired of drugs that make them feel sick," Meredith Cheshire said. "We came here to help them find an alternative."

Most insurance policies cover Oriental medicine, and Mulberry Oriental Medicine will make any necessary phone calls. Christopher Cheshire maintains reasonable prices because he wants patients to return. Many cases require a working relationship between Cheshire and a patient's primary care physician.

"We can help with high cholesterol through herbal care, but you still need to see your physician for certain things, like blood work," Cheshire said. "We don't consider our practice to be alternative. We see it as integrative. We will work with you to better what you're already doing."