Doctor of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture, Licensed Acupuncturist
Dr. Eric Windsor has 20 years of clinical experience and is board
certified in acupuncture by the Maryland Board of Acupuncture. He
provides treatment for pain and inflammatory disorders, neurological and
muscular disorders, certain spine conditions including herniated discs
and sciatica, stress and mental health conditions, injury/trauma
recovery, joint conditions, side-effects of pharmaceuticals or cancer
treatments, autoimmune diseases, certain urological and gynecological
conditions, rare diseases, and a range of other conditions affecting
internal body systems.
He completed his undergraduate education at UMBC magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa
with concentrations in biochemistry, psychology, and philosophy. He
then pursured doctoral research in biochemistry at Howard Hughes Medical
Institute and the University of Maryland Medical School, where he
focused on chemistry of cellular detoxification, cancer cell biology,
and nuclear magnetic resonance.
During his work in biochemistry, he became more aware of the strengths
and limitations of pharmaceutical treatments. He gradually learned about
the value of acupuncture and its potential to cure chronic diseases
which are not effectively treated by other methods. He then studied
acupuncture, earning a Master of Acupuncture (M.Ac.) degree from Tai
Sophia Institute and a Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac.) from Maryland
University of Integrative Health. He completed an internship in
integrative acupuncture for cancer care at the Kauffman Cancer Center of
the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. He also
completed an internship in adult psychology at Sheppard Pratt Hospital.
Autoimmune Conditions
Conditions which have typically responded well in Dr. Windsor's practice include:
Dr. Windsor provides treatments for certain side effects of chemotherapy
with especially high success rates in treatment of neuropathy. He also
provides treatment for side-effects of radiation thererapy. He is a
co-author on publications in biochemistry including cancer research with Johns Hopkins University Department of Oncology.
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Windsor has provided acupuncture for
patients with cancer of the colon, breast, pancreas, ovary, appendix,
lung, thymus, prostate, liver, spine, head and neck, parotid, pituitary,
thyroid, and larynx, as well as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MGUS, and
cancer-related genetic syndromes including neurofibromatosis. Most of
these conditions are relatively rare. He gained some of this experience
during an internship in acupuncture for integrative cancer care at
Kauffman Cancer Center of Upper Chesapeake Health.
Common Conditions
Dr. Windsor is typically successful treating patients with these common conditions:
• Ostearthritis
• Lower Back Pain
• Ankle Pain
• Sciatica
• Neuropathy
• Muscle Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Peyronie's Disease
• Migraine Headaches
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
• Many types of exercise injuries
• Certain types of shoulder pain
• Certain types of pain related to osteoporosis
Other common conditions treated by Dr. Windsor are listed under the
headings of Mental Health, Obstetrics and Gynecological, Neurological
Conditions, and Trauma Recovery.
Genetic Conditions
Conditions which have typically responded well to Dr. Windsor's treatment include:
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
Conditions which appear to respond with temporary relief include:
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Conditions which may respond favorably to treatment include:
• AAT Deficiency
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
Dr. Windsor also has experience caring for patients with:
• Neurofibromatosis
• G6PD Deficiency
Mental Healh
Dr. Windsor has typically been successful treating patients with these conditions and situations:
• Depression (moderate severity, patient is working or going to school)
• Anxiety
• Grief
• PTSD
• Panic disorders
• Alcohol overuse
• Impatience and frustration
• Anxiety after thyroidectomy
• Illness-related depression
• Existential or spiritual crisis
• A desire for personal growth
While success rates vary more widely with the following conditions, Dr.
Windsor is often able to provide treatment or support for:
• Eating Disorders
• Severe Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Domestic abuse
• Narcissitic abuse
• Recovery from substance use
• Graves' Disease
• Kundalini syndrome
• Agoraphobia
TMS-Compatible Treatment
Dr. Windsor has experience crafting acupuncture treatment plans in
collaboration with a psychiatrist when a patients is receiving TMS
therapy for severe depression. Often this involves taking a break from
acupuncture treatment for a period of time.
Safety Concerns and Contraindications
In certain cases, Dr. Windsor may require a family member to be present.
Although each patient and case is evaluated individually, the following
may be contraindications to our treatment:
• Respiratory depression due to ongoing opioid use
• Serotonin syndrome
• Certain types of uncontrollable physical movement
• Other servere mental health conditions
Neurological Conditions
Conditions which have typically responded well in Dr. Windsor's practice include:
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Alcohol Withdrawal and Recovery
• Treatment-Resistant Hypertension
• Sciatica and Herniated Discs
• Idiopathic Neuropathy
• Shingles Nerve Recovery (we do not treat active shingles)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
Patients with multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis tend to require
continued medical management even with successful treatment. Although
some of the following conditions are challenging to treat, Dr. Windsor
has also provided care for patients dealing with:
• ALS and other locked-in syndromes
• Encephalitis recovery
• Addison's Disease
• Stroke recovery
• Bell's Palsy
• POTS with Lyme Disease
• TBI
• Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Windsor has typically been successful treating patients with these conditions:
• Ovarian Cysts
• Pain from Uterine Fibroids
• Pain of Endometriosis
• Certain types of Infertility
• Hyperemesis Gravidarum
• Symptoms of Menopause
• Migraines with PMS
• Persistent Uterine Pain after Surgery
• Hot Flashes after Ovariectomy
• Breast Cancer treatment side-effects
• Ovarian Cancer treatment side-effects
• Appendix Cancer treatment side-effects
Ovarian Cysts
In some cases, removal of persistent ovarian cysts has been confirmed by
ultrasound 1-2 months after beginning acupuncture treatment with Dr.
Windsor.
Rare or Uncommon Conditions
Some uncommon conditions that tend to respond well to Dr Windsor's treatment include:
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MACS)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of knee, arm, hand, or neck
• Interstitial Cystitis (with Hunner lesions)
• Cysts of the shoulder joint
• Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
• Hyperemesis Gravidarum
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
Side-Effects of Pharmaceuticals
The following pharmaceutical side-effects may improve in treatment with Dr. Windsor:
• Neuropathy
• Pancreatitis
• Recovery from Acute Kidney Injury (intrarenal AKI)
• Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Withdrawal
• Avascular Necrosis
• Diabetes due to Prednisone
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Recovery from Liver Injury
• Low Saliva Production
• Pericarditis (without fluid effusion)
• Joint Pain
• Muscular Pain
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• Radiocontrast dye reactions
• Gastritis from pain relievers
Side-Effects of Radiation
Targeted Radiation Therapy
Dr. Windsor has often provided acupuncture to relieve the side-effects
of radiation exposure or radiation treatment during cancer treatment.
His patients typically report that their radiation oncologist mentioned
that they were doing very well with tolerating the radiation therapy.
Total Body Irradiation
Dr. Windsor has experience providing longer-term supportive care for the
side-effects of total body irradiation which was performed as a
treatment for blood cancers.
Brachytherapy
Patients undergoing brachytherapy should contact the office prior to their visit.
Other Radiology Side-Effects
Patients with kidney damage due to reaction to radiocontrast dye may
benefit from acupuncture treatment to promote circulation to the
kidneys.
Pre-Surgical or Post-Surgical Complications
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Dr. Windsor has experience with providing successful treatment of CRPS
of the knee, arm, hand, or neck. CRPS of other body regions may also
respond to treatment. He has also resolved this condition prior to
surgery, enabling patients to become candidates for total knee
replacement.
Avascular Necrosis
If avascular necrosis occurs as either a pre-surgical or post-surgical
complication in the patient's recovery, this condition may be treatable
by Dr. Windsor if the area affected is one of the following: toe, foot,
ankle, knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, or finger. Avascular necrosis of the
hip, spine, jaw, or elbow can also be treated but is more challenging.
Swelling of Knee
When swelling is extreme, the patient may not yet be a candidate for
knee surgery. Dr. Windsor can address most cases of knee swelling,
allowing the patient to become a candidate for surgery. This is further
described in the section below titled Failed Total Knee Replacement.
Post-Surgical Complications
Failed Total Knee Replacement
Dr. Windsor has successfully treated extreme swelling which persisted
for years after failed knee replacement surgery, returning a significant
portion of mobility and comfort within the first one or two
appointments. This type of reduction in swelling can enable certain
patients to become candidates for revision surgery with the goal of
restoring 100% function and comfort.
Failed Operations for Uterine Pain
He has helped women to become pain-free even after as many as five
surgical attempts did not correct the pain. When this occurs, we explain
to the patient that it is possible the combination of surgery and
acupuncture may have been more effective than either treatment would
have been by itself.
Menopause Symptoms after Ovariectomy
Dr. Windsor has successfully treated hot flashes in women who had
received bilateral ovariectomy during cancer treatment and were unable
to take hormone replacement therapy.
Other Reproductive System Issues
Dr. Windsor has provided treatment for emotional health in cases of
complicated or slow healing of gender reassignment surgery.
Additionally, he has successfully treated Peyronie's disease in the
absence of prior surgery. These past successes might be relevant to
assist with certain cases of surgical recovery involving the
reproductive system.
Xenograft Wound Closure For xenografts which are not healing
correctly, Dr. Windsor may be able to assist in attachment to the
xenograft. If acupuncture is used, the acupuncture points used will not be in the location of the xenograft but will be in other areas which are fully covered by healthy tissue.
Anxiety after Thyroidectomy
After treatment for thyroid cancer, some patients experience anxiety as a
result of the replacement thyroid hormone. These patients have reported
improvements in mood and overall wellbeing after acupuncture treatment
with Dr. Windsor.
Issues Not Treated
Note that Dr. Windsor does not treat surgical infections nor provide any
treatment in a local area if an infection appears to be present.
Other Surgical Complications
All patients and conditions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Dr.
Windsor will consider the specific nature of the case before determining
whether treatment is appropriate and likely to benefit the individual.
Infection Prevention Strategy
In most cases of post-surgical treatment, Dr. Windsor waits 2-3 weeks
after the operation before beginning acupuncture treatment. This is to
provide some additional time for the surgeon to assess whether the wound
is healing correctly and whether any infections may be developing from
the surgical procedure. Dr. Windsor has a thorough and effective
strategy for prevention of infections. He takes extra caution in
treatment of patients with any implanted devices due to the immune
system's inability to attack pathogens from the surface of the device
itself.
For More Information
Surgeons are welcome to contact Dr. Windsor at 301-588-5858 (or by fax at 443-308-5690).
Trauma Recovery
For medical emergencies, patients or caregivers should dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Dr. Windsor is typically successful treating patients with these conditions related to physical trauma:
• Lumbar disc injuries
• Toe paralysis and numbness
• Partial paralysis of limbs
• Joint pain
• Muscle injuries
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of knee, arm, hand, or neck
• Assistance with ankle fracture recovery
• Knee bursitis due to falls
During the recovery period, the following conditions related to physical trauma may respond well to his treatment:
• Spinal injuries other than lumbar disc
• Facial or cranial nerve injuries
• Scar tissue interfering with nerve
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of foot, ankle or toe
• Concussion / TBI
• Injuries due to falls
• Electrical injuries
• Injury due to chemical exposure
Urological Conditions
Conditions which have typically responded well in Dr. Windsor's practice include:
Dr. Windsor is an in-network preferred provider with CareFirst, Blue
Choice, Blue Cross Blue Sheild, United Healthcare, and GEHA. He accepts
some insurance types out of network when the insurance company can
provide clear information regarding the coverage.
Internships
Cancer Care
Dr. Windsor gained experience in this area through an internship in
acupuncture for integrative cancer care at Kauffman Cancer Center of
Upper Chesapeake Health, which is part of the University of Maryland
Medical System.
Biomedical Sciences
He completed laboratory rotations in cancer cell biology, chemistry of
cellular detoxification, muscle physiology, and analytic chemistry in
several academic research labs at the University of Maryland Graduate
School of Baltimore and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Psychology
Dr. Windsor completed an internship in adult psychology at Sheppard
Pratt Hospital where he cared for patients with serious mental health
issues requiring inpatient care.
Acupuncture Licensure
During graduate school in acupuncture, he completed a multi-year
supervised internship at Maryland University of Integrative Health where
he completed his M.Ac. (Master of Acupuncture) and D.Ac. (Doctor of
Acupuncture) degrees.
Awards
In 2016 this practice was recognized as among the "Best Acupuncturists
in Washington DC" by Expertise.com. And in 2015, this practice received
the Patient's Choice Award by OpenCare. He also received the award of
membership to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, as well as to Phi Beta Kappa, during his undergraduate education.
Education
Dr. Eric Windsor completed his D.Ac. (Doctor of Acupuncture) degree at
Maryland University of Integrative Health, and earlier completed his
M.Ac. (Master of Acupuncture) degree at Tai Sophia Institute. He
completed his undergraduate degree at UMBC magna cum laude with
concentrations in biochemistry, psychology, and philosophy. After
furthering his education by working in several biochemistry
laboratories, he then received formal training in the five-element
tradition of acupuncture in order to learn how to address health
concerns through the body's natural chemistry and internal healing
methods.
Teaching
Dr. Windsor is credentialed by NCCAOM to teach continuing education
courses for acupuncturists in the U.S. and internationally. For 6 years,
he taught meditation for Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD.
Publication
In collaboration with Johns Hopkins University Department of Oncology:
Kelley DZ, Flam EL, Guo T, Danilova LV, Zamuner FT, Bohrson C, Considine M, Windsor EJ,
Bishop JA, Zhang C, Koch WM, Sidransky D, Westra WH, Chung CH, Califano
JA, Wheelan S, Favorov AV, Florea L, Fertig EJ, Gaykalova DA. Functional characterization of alternatively spliced GSN in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Transl Res. 2018 Dec; 202:109-119. doi: 10.1016.j/trsl.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Jul 26. PMID: 30118659; PMCID: PMC6218276.
About Maryland Holistics
Maryland Holistics LLC is the private practice of Dr. Eric Windsor, D.Ac., L.Ac.
Our serene, professional office is located in Ellicott City, MD.
Maryland Holistics has provided care to thousands of satisfied customers
since opening in 2009. Dr. Windsor is a preferred provider in the
CareFirst, Blue Cross Blue Shield, GEHA, and United Healthcare networks.
3525 Ellicott Mills Dr., Ste E
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 301-588-5858
Fax: 443-308-5690
