Acupuncture Center City Philadelphia

08/07/2022

Love treating patients in the new office space...

02/11/2020

An amazing photograph of acupuncture’s ability to improve blood circulation to a patient’s hand using only one needle. Imagine what acupuncture could do for you.

01/30/2020

The Art of Cupping
The ancient art of cupping is deeply relaxing, therapeutic and restorative. Releasing the upper muscle layers relieves tension, improves blood circulation and calms the nervous system. Suction is used to create a ʻnegative pressureʼ release by lifting the skin and fascia away from the skeleton. Through the use of heat, compressed silicone cups or rubber bulb aspirators, a vacuum is created that stretches the skin into the cup. This ʻnegative pressureʼ release is the opposite of manual therapies such as massage that involve the compression of tissue. A suction release facilitates lymphatic drainage, increases blood flow to the surface of the skin and engages the parasympathetic nervous system.

After a cupping treatment if blood stagnation is present the skin may have a redness from broken petechiae at the cupping site. If no blood stagnation is found the effect will be only a slight pink blush on the surface of the skin. Any red marks that may result from cupping will resolve within a few days.

Fire Cups
Heavy glass cups that come in a variety of sizes are the most traditional because the heat and the weight of the glass facilitate the process of cupping. Fire cups are always indicated for complaints of cold or deep tension especially in upper, middle or lower back.

Silicone Cups
Massage or moving cupping is done with silicone cups which allow for varying the amount of suction in each cup and for ease of movement. Cupping on the abdomen for constipation as well the upper back for coughs and respiratory conditions is highly effective.

Facial Cups
A specially designed glass cup with a blue rubber bulb aspirator is used for cupping facials. Treatment involves a quick suction and release over the chin, cheek and forehead areas. In addition to the cosmetic benefit, facial cupping is very effective for relieving Headaches, Sinus Problems, Bell's Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia and TMJ.

07/17/2019

Heavenly (San Fu) Moxibustion
Chinese Medicine Cold & Flu Prevention

Gathering the Yang (heat) in summer to resist winter’s Yin (cold)

In Chinese medicine, Heavenly Moxibustion using San Fu herbal plasters, is a preventative treatment for the respiratory disorders of bronchitis, colds and influenza as well as asthma, seasonal allergies and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

San Fu herbal plasters, the Chinese medicine equivalent of a flu shot, are a tremendous boost to the immune system. Heavenly Moxibustion is the use of Chinese herbs on acupuncture points to encourage the body to store the extreme heat of midsummer to support lung and immune function during the intense cold of winter.

At Acupuncture Center City, Heavenly Moxibustion can be included in your acupuncture treatments in July and August, at no additional charge. For patients with COPD, a special San Fu herbal formula is also available.

07/14/2019

Heavenly (San Fu) Moxibustion:
Chinese Medicine cold & flu prevention by gathering the Yang (heat) in summer to resist the Yin (cold) of winter.

02/16/2019

A lovely tonic tea (contains no caffeine) to miosten the lungs. Enjoy!

On Friday afternoons I typically visit with my Taiji master Wang Fengming so we can train. When I arrived at his house this past Friday, my Shimu 師母 (Taiji Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang’s daughter) had just finished cooking pear tea. I’m sure I had similar tea before, but probably not freshly co...

08/11/2018

In my practice I always emphasize the importance good diet, proper hydration and regular exercise play in mental health.

Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) in the winter months, with diminished sunlight and cold temperatures, can make a positive outlook challenging.

I often recommend my patients drink saffron tea (place a pinch of saffron in a mug, then add hot water). Saffron affects the neurotransmitters in the brain in ways similar to Prozac.

Rumi Spice, an excellent source of saffron, can be found at rumispice.com

A growing body of scientific evidence is making clear the connection between good nutrition and good mental health.

07/01/2018

My mentor Kiiko Matsumoto says many people have hot heads and cold feet. When actually, for good health, we need cool heads and warm feet.
*see explanation in comments below.