The Big Announcement … Very Well: Optimal Living Is Coming Soon!

Nov 13

A message from Dr. David Meredith, D.Ac.

I've hinted, teased, and mused out loud about it for most of a year.

If you've been following our Instagram, Facebook page, blog, and email newsletter, you've seen logo changes, site redesigns, new employees, cryptic photos of paint chips, and other signs of something in the works.

Now what could that madcap acupuncturist be up to? you may have wondered. And what does it have to do with me?

Today it's time to open up the curtains and let the light shine in on the next phase of Very Well.

(And it has everything to do with you.)

But first, a few words to put it in perspective.

I've helped a lot of people over my past thirteen years as an acupuncturist. During many thousands of sessions, I've helped reduce pain and inflammation; improve mood, energy, and immune system issues; address frustrating symptoms like insomnia, neuropathy, and digestive issues. I've been there for all kinds of personal transitions, good and bad news, listened to hopes and fears and frustrations and joys. I've gotten into countless conversations about the principles of wellness, the movement of the seasons, self-care . . . even destiny, fate, and our purpose here on earth.

In that time, I've earned a master's degree, a doctorate, a national board certification, and even a "Best of Baltimore" award.

I've put everything I had into it, and here's why.

When people come into my office, talk to me, get comfortable on the acupuncture table, I see something that most health care providers don't. Not just someone who is suffering, disempowered, confused, upset over health issues; I see a whole person, someone with vast and unique potential for shining in their own life and making a difference in the world.

I see my job as helping to remove the "stuff" that gets in the way – physical and mental distractions – and helping to awaken people to their possibilities for living fully . . . and then to move in that direction with strength, energy, joy, and a sense of purpose.

Look, we live in upsetting, confusing times. The daily headlines are heartbreaking if we pay attention. It feels like darkness is gathering.

The way through is not to hide our heads in the sand. The way through darkness is to shine brightly. To be our best selves. We do this not by becoming despondent, but by doing the things we love, focusing on the joy we can create for ourselves and others, by healing ourselves as much as we can, so we can inspire people around us to do the same.

This is why I do what I do. This is my contribution to our community and world. I'm not just helping your headache so your head doesn't hurt. That's nice and all, but I do this work so your headache – or whatever "stuff" is concerning you – doesn't hold you back from making the world a better place for all of us.

But I can only help the ones who walk in my door, and up until now, my little two-room office hasn't been as conducive to helping the numbers of people I want, or as a place for community to gather to find inspiration and support each other. And as an acupuncturist, I can only help the people I sit down with face to face, then lay my two hands on. These are the limitations – the "stuff" – in the way of my seeing and helping even more people.

Until now.

Very Well Acupuncture is becoming
Very Well: Optimal Living!

We are moving locations, greatly expanding our size and services, and stepping up in our mission of healing the world, one individual at a time.

Where are we going?

Not far! On December 23, 2023, Very Well will close its Wyndhurst Avenue doors forever. On January 3, 2024, we will reopen in the newly remodeled Quad building on the Cross Keys campus.

And while we're moving just a few blocks from our current Baltimore location, Very Well: Optimal Living is light years behind anything we've been able to do before.

What will we offer?

In our nearly 3,000 square feet of remodeled office space, we will focus on our core values of respite, healing, enhancement, inspiration, empowerment, and community.

In addition to acupuncture, we will begin offering wellness technologies developed for astronauts, elite athletes, CEOs – people who demanded luxurious, effective, evidence-based ways of feeling better and getting better – as their edge against the competition, to reach the top of their fields.

Now at Very Well: Optimal Living, these powerful treatments are available to all! To those who wish to heal and reach their healthiest state; to be strong for their family and community; to slow down aging; to feel more clear, calm, energized, and optimistic; to live their full and best lives.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (PEMF) Therapy

Red Light Therapy

Halotherapy (Salt + Color Therapy in an infrared sauna booth)

Vibroacoustic Therapy

And of course, all of the acupuncture services you would expect from the company that won "Best Acupuncturist" in The Baltimore Sun's "Best of Baltimore" survey.

Available in this deeply relaxing environment that is close to your life but away from the world.

In addition, we will have regular evening and weekend gatherings for group activities, wellness practices, life learning, and more.

And don't worry, before long, I'll post much more information about what these new powerful new treatments are and how they will support not just your health, but your optimal living . . . your living fully, authentically, joyfully, and energetically. (But you can click here for a sneak peek!)

Optimal living . . . what does it feel like?

You've come to acupuncture because there's something in your way. A pain, a low mood, some troubling symptom. Something distracting you from your full effectiveness in the world. Acupuncture is great at making quick or incremental improvements in many of these cases, but sometimes acupuncture alone isn't enough.

Optimal living is learning from your symptoms as they come and go, making empowered choices that support your wellness. It's knowing how to meaningfully observe this coming and going, knowing what lifestyle changes to make, and what therapies to apply.

AND it's going beyond that.

Western medicine is mostly "reductionist" thinking: dividing the body into zones that are assigned to different doctors who don't communicate with each other, analyzing the quantities of the smallest molecules of your body in comparison to how they show up in other people. And the resulting medicines are similarly focused, perhaps bringing improvement in one area without addressing the whole, or bringing along a host of side effects and other potential terrors to watch out for.

Optimal living is the opposite of this. It is holistic. It is incorporating practices that not only address minor symptoms but strengthen the whole body and mind, bringing renewed energy, a stronger body, improved immunity, better focus and mood.

The new services and offices of Very Well, either as a complement to acupuncture or used on their own, could be part of the what helps you achieve this state.

What would that look like for you?

Finishing that book or creative project? Living your truth without fear? Excelling in your favorite sport? Rising through the ranks of your business? Planting a garden that brings joy to the neighborhood? Being able to keep up with your kids or grandkids? Going to school while working full time? Being more active in your community?

You decide where you want to go, and Very Well: Optimal Living will help get you there.

How can YOU support and be a part of this exciting change?

Please help me realize this vision for wellness in Baltimore.

1. In the next few weeks, Very Well will launch a new online booking system that allows you not only to schedule appointments online, but also to order packages of products and gift cards. One of the packages will be a sampler pack of all our new services, a pre-opening special with a huge discount available for current and past clients.

Please consider purchasing these for yourself and your friends as holiday gifts, for incredible health and wellness in the new year.

2. Speaking of your friends, please spread the word about Very Well! We will be conducting acupuncture appointments in our current offices until December 23. We're happy to have new referrals to help people with their symptoms and winter doldrums.

3. Tell the world! If you haven't done so, please consider reviewing Very Well on Google. The link is here: https://g.page/r/CWjjBFjYOhYREAI/review

4. Let us know your thoughts! In 2024, Very Well will begin offering evening and weekend activities, workshops, and opportunities to form a positive community. What would you like to see or do?

David Meredith