Alban Acupuncture

Alban Acupuncture Alban Acupuncture brings the highest quality acupuncture care to New York City.

I partner with you to create personalized therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping.

Cold weather stiffens joints, slows circulation, and makes pain more noticeable. In Chinese medicine, this is understood...
12/09/2025

Cold weather stiffens joints, slows circulation, and makes pain more noticeable. In Chinese medicine, this is understood as cold and dampness entering the channels and blocking the flow of Qi and blood causing joints to become stiff, achy, swollen, or harder to move — especially in wet or freezing weather.

Common signs of cold-weather joint pain:
• Morning stiffness
• Achy or sharp pain that worsens with cold
• Reduced mobility
• Heaviness or swelling in the limbs

How acupuncture helps:
Acupuncture opens the channels, moves Qi and blood, and reduces the constriction caused by cold. This improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and loosens tight, painful joints.

Moxibustion (warming mugwort therapy) is often added in colder months. The heat penetrates deeply, drives out cold, and enhances the effects of acupuncture — especially for arthritic or chronic joint pain.

Herbs and warming foods:
Many formulas warm the body, move blood, and drain dampness. Common warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, bone broths, winter squash, and root vegetables help protect the body in colder seasons.

Avoiding damp-producing foods — dairy, fried foods, and heavy sweets — also makes a noticeable difference.
Winter is the time when cold and damp affect the joints the most. Supporting circulation and warmth is a simple, effective way to stay comfortable and mobile throughout the season.

You can explore more details in the full article:
https://albanacupuncture.com/how-cold-causes-joint-pain/

One of the most fascinating parts of Chinese herbal medicine is that an herb’s flavor is directly linked to how it behav...
12/02/2025

One of the most fascinating parts of Chinese herbal medicine is that an herb’s flavor is directly linked to how it behaves in the body. This comes from centuries of observation and clinical testing.

Practitioners assess herbs through organoleptics, a process of tasting, smelling, and examining the herb to determine both quality and therapeutic action. These qualities guide how formulas are built and why they work so precisely.

Here’s how flavor reflects function:
• Sweet herbs strengthen Qi and digestion. Examples like licorice (Gan Cao) and astragalus (Huang Qi) are often included to support energy and recovery.
• Sour herbs help preserve fluids and stabilize the Liver. They’re useful when the body needs to hold on to moisture.
• Bitter herbs clear heat, dry dampness, and reduce inflammation. Many herbs in this category show anti-inflammatory effects in research.
• Acrid herbs move Qi and help the body release the early signs of a cold. Mint and ginger fall into this group.
• Salty herbs soften hardness and nourish the Kidneys. They help guide formulas deeper into the body.

Temperature is equally important. A cooling herb like mint helps clear heat, while warming herbs support circulation or low energy. When flavors and temperatures are combined, they create targeted formulas that match the individual pattern rather than the general symptom.

This is why herbal prescriptions vary from person to person even when symptoms look similar. The underlying pattern determines what the body needs.

🖥 Read the full explanation: https://albanacupuncture.com/chinese-herbs-taste/

Our calm and serene office is the perfect escape in the middle of a busy day. A lunchtime acupuncture session is one of ...
11/25/2025

Our calm and serene office is the perfect escape in the middle of a busy day. A lunchtime acupuncture session is one of the simplest ways to reset and relax your body in the middle of a busy day.
Lunchtime acupuncture is perfect for-

• Neck and shoulder tension from long hours at the computer
• Upper-back tightness
• Headaches or eye strain from screen time
• Stress building as the day goes on
• Afternoon fatigue or that “slump” feeling
• Jaw tension
• Lower-back stiffness from prolonged sitting
A short treatment helps improve circulation, release muscle knots, and calm the nervous system. People often return to work feeling clearer, more grounded, and more comfortable for the rest of the day.
A small reset in the middle of the day can make a meaningful difference in how you feel throughout the week.

🖥 Read more: https://albanacupuncture.com/lunch-break-acupuncture/

Certain mushrooms contain naturally occurring compounds that support healthy cholesterol levels in ways backed by resear...
11/22/2025

Certain mushrooms contain naturally occurring compounds that support healthy cholesterol levels in ways backed by research and centuries of Chinese medicine practice. This goes far beyond “eat more mushrooms.” Each type has very specific properties.

🍄 Shiitake
Shiitake contains eritadenine, which helps the body excrete cholesterol. It is also rich in beta glucans, a soluble fiber that reduces cholesterol absorption. In one study, 9 grams of dried shiitake daily lowered total cholesterol by 9 to 12 percent and triglycerides by 6 to 7 percent. Shiitake is also high in protein and works well as a partial meat substitute.

🍄 Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms contain beta glucans and natural compounds that can limit cholesterol synthesis in the liver. They also contain small amounts of lovastatin in natural form. Some studies show they may help reduce blood sugar levels and support liver health.

🍚 Red Yeast Rice
Red Yeast Rice is fermented rice that contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the active ingredient in lovastatin. Clinical trials show it can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Because of its potency, quality and dosage vary, so it must be discussed with a trained practitioner.

These foods are tools within a broader approach that includes stress management, a balanced diet, quality sleep, movement, and avoiding to***co. Mushrooms alone are not a cure, but they can be a meaningful addition to meals when cholesterol support is needed.

🖥 Read the full breakdown with research:
https://albanacupuncture.com/mushrooms-lowering-cholesterol/

Training hard? Don’t ignore the small aches.Knee pain, arch soreness, hamstring tightness, or morning foot stiffness are...
11/10/2025

Training hard? Don’t ignore the small aches.
Knee pain, arch soreness, hamstring tightness, or morning foot stiffness are signs your body’s balance—and circulation—need attention.

In Acupuncture,, these are patterns of Qi and Blood stagnation that can lead to injury if left untreated. Acupuncture helps keep runners in motion by improving circulation, easing tight muscles, and speeding recovery between runs.

Acupuncture helps:
• Improve circulation to tired muscles and joints
• Reduce inflammation and speed recovery
• Relax tight fascia and ease nerve tension
• Balance the body’s energy to prevent injury and fatigue
Get Acupuncture, Train stronger. Recover faster.

🏃‍♂️✨ Book your pre-race acupuncture session and keep your Qi flowing to the finish line.

Recovery is where your training pays off. After long runs, your body needs to repair—tight muscles release, joints decom...
11/03/2025

Recovery is where your training pays off. After long runs, your body needs to repair—tight muscles release, joints decompress, and the nervous system resets. Without proper recovery, those small aches can turn into real injuries.

That’s why acupuncture is a cornerstone of many runners’ recovery plans in my clinic. It promotes circulation, relaxes tight fascia, reduces inflammation, and supports deeper rest—all essential for building endurance week after week.

After an acupuncture session, many runners notice:
✨ Looser, lighter legs
✨ Calmer sleep and faster recovery
✨ Fewer nagging pains during training

Pair acupuncture with gentle movement, hydration, and quality sleep, and your body will be ready for the next long run.
Recovery isn’t just rest—it’s active care that helps you show up stronger for the next run.

🖥 Read more here: https://albanacupuncture.com/how-acupuncture-helps-runners/

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the life force that powers every function of the body. It moves through channels, supporting c...
10/29/2025

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the life force that powers every function of the body. It moves through channels, supporting circulation, digestion, and the immune system. When Qi flows freely, the body can adapt to stress, heal naturally, and stay balanced.

If Qi becomes blocked or weakened, signs like tiredness, tension, or lowered immunity may appear. Acupuncture helps by improving this flow and supporting the body’s ability to regulate itself.
A few simple ways to strengthen Qi include:
Qi is built through movement and exercise
Reducing stress
Eating warm, nourishing foods
Acupuncture restores balance by improving the flow and strength of Qi.
When Qi is strong and balanced, energy feels steady and health feels supported from the inside out.

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is your body’s vital energy—the force that powers everything you do. It fuels movement, focus, gr...
10/27/2025

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is your body’s vital energy—the force that powers everything you do. It fuels movement, focus, growth, and repair. Most importantly, it protects you from illness. When you feel “wiped out” or run down, that’s often a sign of low Qi.

Qi and Immunity
We build Qi through good digestion, quality food, and deep rest. When digestion is weak or sleep is lacking, Qi production suffers—making you more prone to fatigue or getting sick.

Qi and Stress
Qi flows through pathways called meridians. When stress can cause that flow to slow or stagnate. This is why stress can make us more susceptible to getting sick.

Qi Vacuity (Too Little Qi)
When Qi becomes depleted—what we call Qi vacuity—the body struggles to function at its best. You may notice feeling tired, easily catching colds, having a weak voice, or slower recovery after illness or exercise. In Chinese medicine, this reflects an energy deficit in the body’s ability to protect, digest, and restore.

That’s why acupuncture and herbal medicine focus on restoring the smooth flow and abundance of Qi. When Qi moves freely and replenishes deeply, the body heals more effectively and resilience returns.

Feel better, get acupuncture

🖥 Read more practical ways to stay healthy in my latest blog: https://albanacupuncture.com/chinese-medicine-immunity-cold-prevention/

10/13/2025

3 tips to boost Yang Qi

Fall in Chinese medicine is connected to the lungs and the effects of dryness. This is the time of year when allergies, ...
10/07/2025

Fall in Chinese medicine is connected to the lungs and the effects of dryness. This is the time of year when allergies, coughs, or skin irritation can flare, so food choices matter. Seasonal eating helps align the body with nature’s rhythms, offering nourishment and balance as the weather cools.

Here are five traditional foods highlighted for fall:
🍐 Pears are considered yin foods that nourish and hydrate the lungs.
🍯 Honey is neutral in nature and used in TCM to soothe and moisten dryness.
🌸 Lily bulbs (Bai He) are cooling and sweet, often used to calm and moisten the chest.
🍊 Persimmons are a classic autumn fruit that support digestion and balance the stomach’s qi.
🍎 Seasonal foods like squashes, leafy greens, and apples support balance with the season.

Eating with the season is one of the simplest ways to take care of your health, and these foods are a good place to start as the air turns cooler.

🖥 Read the full blog for more context and ideas:
https://albanacupuncture.com/five-traditional-chinese-medicine-foods-to-prepare-for-fall/

10/06/2025

Benefits of Tai Chi

Can acupuncture really soften frown lines? A new clinical study offers compelling evidence that it can—and the results g...
09/30/2025

Can acupuncture really soften frown lines? A new clinical study offers compelling evidence that it can—and the results go beyond cosmetic change.

In the study, 72 women received facial and body acupuncture twice a week for six weeks. Results showed:
• 63.9% improved at rest
• 72.2% improved during dynamic frown
• Improvements lasted at least 12 weeks
• No serious side effects reported

What stands out to me is how the treatment combined both facial and body acupuncture. In Chinese medicine, skin health is a reflection of the whole system—stress, circulation, and digestion all show up on the face. Supporting internal balance while directly treating the brow is what makes these results meaningful.

I also recorded a podcast version of this blog for those who prefer to listen. You can explore the details here:
🖥 https://albanacupuncture.com/new-clinical-study-says-acupuncture-can-reduce-frown-lines/

Address

255 West End Avenue, #1B
New York, NY
10023

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 2pm
Friday 7:30am - 2pm

Telephone

+12123195757

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