Chinese medicine believes that everything that exists outside the body in the environment (macrocosm) also exists inside the body (microcosm). The introduction of acupuncture needles into specified points on the body tap into the body's ability to regulate the microcosm and maintain health. This subtle procedure helps the body return to a balanced (pre-diseased) state. In this way you may not only experience relief from your symptoms but also strengthen the root of your body, in order to truly regain health. In other words - powerful results without overwhelming side effects.

For a more “modern-day” explanation of why acupuncture works, see About Chinese Medicine

These needles are not like the needles we are all used to (and scared of...). Acupuncture needles are, literally, hair-thin (ok, maybe two-hairs-thin) and deliver the slightest sensation as they enter the skin. A lot of people never feel the pinprick at all. While there is very little feeling of a needle, feeling a “qi sensation” around the acupuncture point is common and an important part of the therapy. Things that might signal a qi sensation include a sense of pressure, distension, or achiness around the needle.

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the life energy that is thought to be circulating in all things. In Chinese Medicine, in order to stay healthy, it is important for the circulation of qi to be smooth and free from obstructions.

Chinese medicine views every person, disease process and treatment plan as highly individualized, so every patient experience can be unique as well. However, most people experience a feeling of relaxation once the needles are in place, they usually rest there for 15-20 minutes, and experience a heightened sense of well-being after the treatment.

For an overview of what you can expect from your first treatment see Acupuncture.

Yes! Yes, yes. Chinese medicine has a long history of treating the lingering effects of viral invasions. There are several techniques and herbal formulas to help a person resolve their symptoms and begin to build back strength after a long bout with illness.

For most conditions, the answer is “yes!”  While acupuncture has only recently been gaining recognition in the U.S., this medicine is known the world over as a way to treat disease, and maintain balance and health.   Its approach of correcting imbalances from the root (rather than simply abating symptoms) allows acupuncture to be helpful in most cases.  The crux of the matter is that any imbalance in the body creates a stress on our health.  Acupuncture is very good at re-balancing and tempering the stress, allowing your body a greater sense of well-being, as well as relief from symptoms.

There are studies that highlight TCM’s positive effect on several specific issues such as morning sickness, anxiety and insomnia, asthma, and pain syndromes such as menstrual cramps, low back pain, and headaches.

Since these are just a few of the conditions that have received specific research studies, “your” condition may not be listed. The best way to see if acupuncture can work for you is to experience a treatment. If you have any other questions before scheduling an appointment, please contact me.

The basic formula is that you will need at least one treatment for each month you have had a particular condition but a course of treatment will differ depending on the person and the condition for which they are seeking treatment. For example, an acute injury may need several treatments close in frequency, while a long-term problem or illness may need less frequent treatments over a longer period of time.

If you are not dealing with a disease process, it is important to receive treatment at least a few times a year, at the change of each season, to promote well-being and strength of health. Times of transition are generally quite stressful on the body – most people will notice that illness or “old” injuries tend to return during these times; and most people will find they are most likely to catch a cold at the change of season.

Remember, just because you don't have a diagnosis doesn't mean you shouldn't receive treatment. TCM is about maintaining health and preventing disease. Regular treatment does a wonderful job of taming stress, enabling better sleep and giving us a better balance of hormones and emotions.

Yes, I do prescribe herbs. Not all patients need, or want to take herbs but they can be extremely helpful in many situations.

Herbs can be prescribed as pills, powders (to be dissolved in hot water) or as raw herbs to cook as teas. The best system for each person is decided according to the condition needing treatment as well as the time/financial restraints of the patient. The cost of an herbal formula depends on the formula (and form) prescribed. Prices can range anywhere from $8 - $60 per formula.

I am a licensed acupuncturist with a Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This degree involves a four-year, full-time course of study (totaling nearly 3,500 credit hours) followed by rigorous board exams by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the NCCAOM. Licensed acupuncturists generally use an evaluation of the pulse, tongue and a detailed intake to determine a diagnosis based on TCM patterns and create an individualized treatment for each patient, based on their pattern and progress of healing.

A Certified, or Medical Acupuncturist is an M.D. or Chiropractor who has undergone an abbreviated course of study (classroom and training time totaling 300 credit hours) to learn specific point protocols for Western-based diagnoses. While these point protocols can be effective, these treatments are generally symptom based and do not treat an individual's pattern diagnosis (i.e. the reason they have the symptom). A C.Ac. does not generally diagnose based on individualized TCM patterns or by using the pulse or tongue.

Absolutely nothing. Dry needling is an acupuncture technique using acupuncture needles. While some practitioners say it isn’t acupuncture because they are not using classical acupuncture points, these “Ashi” or tender-to-palpation points have always been a treasured acupuncture technique. Acupuncturists then use the pulse and tongue to make a pattern diagnosis and insert needles into acupuncture points in order to correct the underlying imbalance that is contributing to the pain or lack of healing.

What IS different is the training. Acupuncturists complete more than 3,000 credit hours and receive supervision of at least 350 patients before being allowed to sit for the boards and do an in-person exam proving we can administer an invasive technique (anything inserted into the body can cause damage or spread bacteria if not done correctly). Certified Acupuncturists are MD’s (or in some states chiropractors) that can take an abbreviated course of 300 credit hours but must also complete 500 treatments in order to be certified. A dry needling course (dependant on state and presenter) can run as little as 30 hours and not include any supervised patient quota or exam before receiving a certificate.

The term “dry” roots from the practice of orthopedic doctors inserting a hypodermic needle into a painful muscle in order to inject an analgesic medication i.e. “wet” needling. Eventually it was noted that injection of the needle without the medication also yielded pain relief and so doctors began inserting the needles dry as a form of treatment.

In NY state only an acupuncturist or a certified medical doctor can perform acupuncture or dry needling. If you are in another state I suggest you take care to locate a qualified practitioner to administer acupuncture to you.

a cosmetic procedure that actually improves your health! The placement of needles in the body and face improves your health from the inside out, bringing vitality to your face and neck for a more youthful appearance. Want to learn more? Click here.

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a micropen - a battery-operated pen with needles at the tip - to stimulate skin rejuvenation. The treatment has little downtime (12-24 hours) and is quite effective, especially over a series of treatments. To learn more, click here.

Many patients want to collect as much info as they can before coming in for a session feeling that it’s the only way to make a session worth it. Honestly, while I’ll take whatever info I can get from your doctor and your test results, Chinese medicine has a complete diagnostic system that I can access by simply seeing you in my office so it’s possible to receive acupuncture while still pursuing medical tests and treatments.

I’ve never met a patient or condition that was contraindicated to receiving Chinese medicine in some form. Here are some examples of ways I have modified treatments for certain conditions:

For people with vaso vagal reactions to needles I would likely only use moxa or acupressure but it is possible to receive treatment without using needles.

For people that don’t want to or can’t take herbs we can treat you with acupuncture only.

While kids are often quite receptive to receiving acupuncture some prefer to have magnets and patches that they can apply at home when they aren’t feeling well.

In addition, I rarely think I should be the only practitioner on a patient’s healthcare team. If I see something happening that needs different help than I can offer I will refer you to a provider of the most appropriate field.