ABOUT THE PRACTITIONER

"My goal is to promote an infinite cycle of wellness by nurturing your body’s innate ability to heal itself. Whether you seek acupuncture as a sole modality of treatment or as an adjunct to alternative treatments, I'm happy to work with you and your…

"My goal is to promote an infinite cycle of wellness by nurturing your body’s innate ability to heal itself. Whether you seek acupuncture as a sole modality of treatment or as an adjunct to alternative treatments, I'm happy to work with you and your other healthcare providers towards creating the best platform for your well-being."

Alicia M. Genna, LAc is an acupuncturist licensed to practice in the State of New York. She studied at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in New York City earning a four year Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She currently operates her practice from two locations - NYC and the Catskills. Alicia has experience treating a wide range of conditions, primarily focusing on musculoskeletal/neurological issues and women’s health/fertility. With a strong background in both biomedicine and traditional medicine, Alicia offers an integrative approach to healthcare and has framed her technique around the influence of acupuncture on the electrical and chemical processes of the nervous and endocrine systems, as well as new research on the effects of acupuncture on connective tissue in treatment of chronic pain and inflammation. 

Before she became an Acupuncturist, Alicia earned her B.S. in Biology from Northeastern University, where she developed a strong foundation in human biology and genetics. She has worked internationally as a medical assistant in a recovery center for malnourished infants and children in Antigua, Guatemala and as a public health director at a grassroots organization in the Phrao district of Thailand, developing public health resources in underserved communities.


TYPES OF ACUPUNCTURE

General Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient modality of healing. Extremely thin, single-use needles are inserted at specific points on the body along particular meridians. The process is often described as painless, though you may feel a slight pressure or dull aching at the point of insertion. The needles are retained for about 30 minutes while you comfortably relax on the table.

Facial Rejuvenation

Acupuncture focusing on facial rejuvenation utilizes similar techniques as full body acupuncture with the addition of several points on and around the face. These sessions will incorporate innovative modalities using herbs, acupuncture, and dietary recommendations to promote health and longevity, and reveal beauty. 

Auricular Acupuncture

In a typical session, you will receive a few small needles on each ear. At the end of the session, your practitioner may send you home with something called “ear seeds” to continue stimulating points on the ear.


OTHER MODALITIES

Herbal Medicine

Botanical remedies are the world’s oldest and most widely used form of medicine. Along with increasing popularity in the United States, clinical research is validating the efficacy of herbal medicine in the treatment and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In Chinese medicine, certain plants and herbs are combined to create customized formulas, perfectly tailored to your individual needs. 

Cupping

This process uses suction to withdraw stagnation and increase circulation in your body. Glass cups are gently heated and placed over an area of muscle tension, where they remain or are moved along your muscles. The cooling of the cups creates a vacuum - it is not painful, and is often described as akin to a massage. Patients can have characteristic circular or elongated markings for a few days afterward, especially over particularly tight or tense areas of the body. 

Gua Sha

A flat instrument made of horn, jade, or ceramic is pressed onto and pulled across the surface of the skin, creating therapeutic petechiae. Gua sha effectively functions as a technique for removing stagnation and increasing circulation within the body. It is effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Just like cupping, gua sha can leave darkened marks for a few days along particularly affected areas. 

E-Stim

While acupuncture needles have a strong potency on their own, the needles can be connected to an e-stim device to increase their efficacy, particularly in response to pain relief. Once the e-stim device is in place, you will begin to feel what many patients describe as a pleasant buzzing sensation. The correct frequency will be chosen by your practitioner for your particular condition, and the strength of the sensation will be adjusted to your comfort level.