About Mary
Mary Norton, L.Ac., is a lifelong resident of Marin County, California, and she has practiced Acupuncture in Fairfax for over 25 years, bring this rich traditional healing modality to her community. She studied at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, and worked for Dr. Jane Tang, a renowned Gynecologist & infertility specialist from China, who uses only herbs and Acupuncture to treat reproductive & infertility issues. Mary also studied with Richard Tan and Bob Doane, both Masters of treating pain conditions with acupuncture. Mary also had the honor of studying with Dr. Jimmy Chang, a master herbalist and pulse specialist from Taiwan. Through her study with these master teachers of Chinese Medicine, Mary has crafted a unique style of Acupuncture to treat her patients that blends needles, massage & Chinese herbs to effectively address the symptoms and conditioners they present.
Mary is an integral part of her community, having grown up in Mill Valley, and raised her 4 children & 2 step children in West Marin. As an avid athlete, Mary brings a personal awareness of the challenges sports injuries present, and what it takes to sustain life-long strength and fitness. She swam competitively at College of Marin and San Francisco state, and started a swim team for kids in West Marin, and she also taught Masters-level swimming for 5 years. As her children grew up, Mary loved watching them compete in water polo, swimming and mountain biking.
Philosophy
In Mary’s words:
“When people ask what style of Chinese Medicine I practice, I usually answer: I do anything that will work, within my scope of practice. I believe in the body’s innate ability to heal.
With the right amount of time, care and guidance, the body usually performs and heals very well. When we are not well, we lose our inner guidance system, which tells us how to get back to a healthy state. When someone feels that they have tried everything and their usual recovery isn't happening, this is when it is helpful to have a skilled practitioner’s perspective.
My goal is to team up with you to create a plan to return to balanced health, or to maintain health. In my decades of practice I have seen Acupuncture work amazingly well! It is incredibly satisfying to see how effective this work is.”
Case Study
I treated a female patient for pain relief from intense shoulder stiffness and arthritis. She was unable to lift her arms to dress herself unless she took a large dose of Advil ahead of time. After her first treatment she got immediate relief, and over the course of 6 months she had regained range of motion in her shoulder. The particular condition usually takes significantly longer to heal. After healing her shoulder, the patient also felt the desire to finally quit smoking. We began an Acupuncture-based smoking-cessation protocol, and after 50 years of smoking, she has now been smoke-free for 4 years! Her entire family died from various forms of cancer, so she comes in for Acupuncture treatments 6-12 times a year to maintain good health & to treat current ailments.
Education
Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, MS | AMMA Institute of Massage | San Francisco State College | College of Marin, Kentfield, CA
Memberships, Diplomas & Licenses
CA License Acupuncturist license #4635 | Facial Rejuvenation Therapy | Certified Massage Therapist | Clean Needle Technique
Nutritional Enzyme Therapist | Auricular Acupuncture I, II, III, IV | Distal Needling Acupuncture™ for Pain | Medical Pulse Diagnosis
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my first treatment be like?
We will welcome you to our clean, warm and inviting office. After an initial verbal consultation with Mary, she will have you relax, fully clothed or in a gown, on a comfortable massage table. She will check your pulses using traditional techniques, then she will insert very thin acupuncture needles on various areas of your body. The placement of needles depends on the conditions you are being treated for. Mary uses the finest needles available, and since they are so thin, there is little to no sensation or pain when the needle is inserted.
Help! What if I’m afraid of needles?
Do not fear! Mary has a delicate touch, and a calming, grounding presence. After decades of experience, she has mastered the art of very gentle needle placement. After her first acupuncture treatment one of our first-time patient’s exclaimed: “I can’t believe that’s what I was afraid of?!”
Why do you prescribe herbal supplements?
Incorporating herbal treatments into an acupuncture protocol helps speed up recovery, and herbal treatments are very successful with conditions such as sinus infections, and can dramatically reduce symptoms and the duration of the illness if taken at the first sign or cold or flu.
What is Mary’s specialty?
Mary Norton has been in practice for over 25 years and has successfully treated many different conditions. At this time, about half of her cases are pain-related or for chronic health conditions. Mary treats whatever health issue her patient presents, from addressing energy levels to weight loss, pain, recovery from cancer, migraines, digestive concerns, or sinus conditions and lung issues etc.
What conditions do you treat? Mary treats the following conditions:
Immune System Issues: Chronic conditions, fatigue, recurring colds/flus
Digestive Issues: Slow digestion, constipation, bloating, hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), colitis
Pain: Relief from pain associated with injuries & acute or chronic pain in the back & neck, arms & shoulders, hips, feet/hands, knee/joint issues
Pain conditions: Headaches, migraines, arthritis, fibromyalgia
Ear, Nose, & Throat: Sinus infections, allergies, colds, flus, or a history of low immunity, laryngitis/vocal cord issues, ear infection or other ear issues
Menstrual, Peri-menopausal, Menopause: Painful cramps, unusually heavy flow, and irregular period
Pre-surgical or Post-surgical: In conjunction with cancer treatment, slow recovery from surgery, mobility issues from surgery, pain post-surgery
Orthopedic Conditions: Musculoskeletal issues from head to toe, including: tendonitis, bursitis, back issues (muscular, disc), soft tissue injuries
Emotional well-being: Depression, mood swings & anxiety, stress, insomnia, PTSD