Photo: Bridget Kenny/QNS
Just around the corner from Astoria-Dittmars Boulevard Station is a renovated factory building that houses several successful small businesses and often draws musicians, tattoo enthusiasts, gym-goers and yogis to its doors. I’ll see you.
But those who are “in the know” find themselves taking steps in search of the answers they want for their illness.
Functional Health Acupuncture is only a year old, but owner and practitioner Devin McGilvery has already amassed enough clients to expand from a one-man show to a wellness clinic.
All of his success to date has come from word of mouth and referrals, and Mr. McGilvery is busy treating patients one by one with acupuncture, massage therapy, cupping, laser acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, and more. He thinks it’s time to add a local acupuncture clinic (treating multiple patients in one room at the same time) and hire two acupuncturists and his one receptionist so he can treat more people. I felt that it had come. He also hopes to rent out the space to other massage therapists and acupuncturists.
“We see people walking down the street who need help, and we’re going to spread the word that this type of treatment is available in our neighborhood,” he said.
Community acupuncture is a great way to make treatment accessible to more people, he said.
“Many insurance companies still don’t cover acupuncture, and when they do, it’s mostly for pain,” McGilvery says. “But acupuncture can be effective for far more conditions, from anxiety and depression to addiction and autoimmune diseases. Community acupuncture allows the price of the treatment to be as low as your out-of-pocket cost with insurance. This is a way to help all the people who can’t afford proper care.
The Community Acupuncture Room, like the rest of our healing oasis on the first floor of 38-01 23rd Ave., is a quiet, green, and peaceful space. Although his patients at Functional Health Acupuncture range in age from 18 to 80, McGilvery hopes his business will soon be able to treat younger patients as well.
“Oriental medicine can also benefit children, and I hope to expand my treatments to all age groups in the near future,” he said.
Customers typically come to McGilvery with a specific problem, and he is able to address that and other issues.
“I primarily work with people who are in pain or have movement or performance issues,” he says. “But what I like about Eastern medicine is that there’s so much more we can help with. The human body tells us what’s going on, so my ultimate goal is to , to improve the functioning of an individual both internally and externally.”
A down-to-earth presence with a joyful soul and a welcoming smile, McGilvery understands his clients’ entire stories to best offer a holistic approach to improving their quality of life. I’m interested in learning. No wonder many of his patients consider him a friend and can say without hesitation that he is “born to heal.”
McGilvery grew up in Southern California and moved to New York City with the intention of studying 3D animation and architecture at Pratt Institute.
However, moving to New York dramatically changed his path, as he first encountered Oriental medicine while living on the East Coast.
“I learned more in my first two years living alone in New York than I have ever learned in my entire life: the energy, the people, the culture,” he said. “This is a magical place. It hasn’t been easy living here, but I’ve made it through every day with the support of my family and friends.”
He attended the Swedish Institute Massage School and after graduating he took a personal training course at the same university. After working for a while as a massage therapist and personal trainer in Astoria, McGilvery felt his acupuncture was the next step. He then earned a master’s degree in acupuncture from the University of the Pacific.
McGilvery has lived in Astoria for seven years and “couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” he said. And the population boom in western Queens made it the perfect location for his rapidly growing business.
“This area is a growing area with a very diverse population. I love the beauty of Astoria Park, the great views, and the new and old restaurants and bars that have opened in this area,” he said. “And the people! This place is a melting pot, but with a strong Greek and Italian heritage. I’m an immigrant and I’m not Greek or Italian, but I love this area of Queens. It’s all about Astoria. is.”
Devin McGilvery, LA, LMT
917-868-2480
functionalhealthacupuncture.com
