Meet the Acupuncturist: Ece Yildirim (she/her)
I feel so blessed to be able to do this work. I am constantly inspired by the body’s ability to strive for health through all the challenges of the modern world.
I earned my Master of Acupuncture degree from the intensive four year program at National University of Natural Medicine. There I had the opportunity to work in clinics all over the city of Portland, OR, including clinics for individuals with low income and/or experiencing homelessness, chronic illness, acute and long term addiction recovery. At the NUNM student clinic, I was able to focus on my passion, menstrual balancing, perinatal and associated care.
Through NUNM’s mentorship program, I was able to learn through the traditional apprenticeship style with Dr.Brenda Hood and learn many lesser-used techniques of East Asian Medicine (formerly called “Chinese Medicine”). In addition to my coursework, I also studied with Dr.Edward Neal, Sheila Murphy, and Tami Kent allowing for study of Classical Nei Jing Acupuncture, myo-fascial bodywork techniques, cranial rhythms, and Holistic Pelvic Care ™. I have also studied various types of bodywork, including Shiatsu, Thai massage, and Sotai.
Following my formal education, I took time to volunteer in a clinic in rural Nepal, where there was little to no access to other forms of health care for my patients. The experience was unforgettable, and led to a deepening of my understanding of East Asian Medicine.
In spring of 2015, I opened the first offices of New Moon Acupuncture in Chatham & Hudson, NY. Working with many different individuals allowed me to further hone my personal treatment style, as well as deepen my specialty in menstrual systems. In 2017 I followed my partner to Boston and opened my second clinic in September of that year in Watertown, as well as expanding to a second location in 2021 in Medford, MA, to be able to both accommodate my growing patient base and rigorous pandemic protocols.
The Covid pandemic urged us to further change in 2022. Between the stress of the pandemic and of managing two separate clinic locations, my partner and I decided to leave Boston and move closer to family. With this move I could simplify my clinic maintenance while still offering high quality care through a home clinic. That has led us to Pittsburgh, PA and my home clinic in Regent Sq. I took some months off to work on my health, deepen my spiritual practice, as well as continuing my study of East Asian Medicine by studying online with some wonderfully experienced acupuncturists. My home clinic opened in May 2023.
I do hope to expand my hours to accommodate more patients in Pittsburgh, but for the time being am only working part time in order to manage my chronic health issues including endometriosis and autoimmune issues.
Through my many modalities of medicine; including acupuncture, moxibustion, manual therapies, nutritional counseling and lifestyle recommendation, it is my mission to help my patients reach their optimal state of mental, physical, and spiritual health. The physical body is intertwined with energetic patterns, and by working with the physical it not only brings access to better physical health, but to emotional and spiritual well being.
Portrait Photo Credit: Shirley Anne Photography
