Cultivating Health and Wellness with Chinese Medicine

Many of us live our lives out of balance with our highest aspirations – plagued by discomfort or dis-ease we’ve come to accept as “normal” but which are actually a manifestation of this imbalance. We’ve grown accustomed to feeling “off” – resigned to the inevitability of our symptoms or the aging process. The signs of this can take many forms, including erratic sleep, poor digestion, chronic fatigue, stubborn weight gain, mood swings or malingering pain that we just can’t seem to shake and doctors can’t seem to explain. Medication, which at times may seem like the only option, helps to manage the symptoms while masking the underlying cause of our troubles.  Yet, without going deeper to address the root causes of illness and imbalance in our lives, we cannot hope to live authentically, in harmony with our greater purpose.

 

The Alchemy Project is my labor of love that attempts to share the beauty, wisdom and healing power of Chinese Medicine. Honoring the principles of eastern, holistic medical traditions that have endured for thousands of years, The Alchemy Project focuses on exploring the inter-connectedness of the mind, body and spirit in the pursuit of improved health and wellness. Instead of powerful chemicals or invasive surgery to achieve its goals, Chinese Medicine relies on stimulating the body’s own natural, and highly sophisticated, self-healing mechanisms to promote well-being.

 

I believe that health and wellness are about awareness – slowing down the pace of our busy lives to pay attention and be present with what is happening within our bodies and our minds.  As self-understanding and actualization expands, so too does well being. True health and wellness is not just the absence of disease, but a state of optimal balance within ourselves as well as the world around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My extensive travels throughout Asia have fueled a deep respect and passion for eastern culture, philosophy and medicine, and I have experienced first-hand in my own life the profound and life-changing effects of Chinese Medicine. Seemingly disparate, but intractable, symptoms that I had accepted as inevitable began to recede. My physical health – including my immunity, digestion, sleep, weight and overall strength – all began to improve dramatically. More than that, I found a new sense of calm and purpose. I felt less distracted as well as more in touch with my own intuition and inner compass. I felt everything – my body, mind, attitudes and confidence – all start to genuinely transform. This, in turn, opened a door that led me to re-examine many of my own personal priorities and begin living the life I truly desired – one dedicated to helping others achieve greater health and happiness in a world that often fails to nurture or honor the delicate balance of the mind, body and spirit.

 

I know from my own experience and that of my patients that even small changes in diet, attitude and lifestyle can make a huge difference in how one feels – both physically and emotionally.  I am dedicated to identifying and addressing the root causes of illness and imbalance using acupuncture, herbal medicine and lasting dietary / lifestyle changes to activate the body’s own natural healing process.

 

I am a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, holding both my Masters (M.S.T.O.M.) and Doctorate (D.A.C.M.) degrees from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, one of the premier graduate schools of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the country. I also am a licensed Acupuncturist in the state of New York as well as a NCCAOM certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine. The intensive, 4-year Master of Science program (where I was Valedictorian of my class), followed by the Doctorate, includes rigorous academic study focused on acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as over 1,000 hours of clinical training. In addition to treating patients at Pacific College’s Integrative Medicine Clinic  in NYC (the largest clinic devoted to Oriental Medicine on the East Coast), I also completed Intern rotations treating patients living with HIV/AIDS (Housing Works West Village Health Center) and cancer (Integrative Oncology at Beth Israel Cancer Center). In addition, I have completed the professional training programs offered by Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Department in acupuncture and herbs for cancer patient care. Prior to this, I graduated summa cum from Columbia University.

 

When not writing or seeing patients at The Alchemy Project, I can often be found outside enjoying the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley or in the yoga studio. Along with my husband, two children and rescue dogs, I enjoy cooking, reading, playing board games and traveling.