Introducing Radiant Mama: Our Flagship 6-Week Program to Support Your Fertility

Radiant Mama has been a long-time coming, my friends. I hatched the idea and name of this program when my husband and I decided we wanted to start a family. I was 41, but my OB basically told me, in a subtle way, that my chances of natural pregnancy were low, my eggs were aged (and not like a fine wine), and that if indeed did get pregnant, I would be considered a geriatric pregnancy. Record scratch…..!

Knowing what I know about Chinese Medicine, for instance, that a women’s overall health status is far more critical than her number trips around the sun, I thought: "This is bullsh*t. We can do better!"

As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine who’s been in practice for 13 years and has specifically studied women’s health and fertility — AND gotten pregnant naturally by following my own advice and wisdom —I am here to be your trusted guide. Mamas DESERVE consistent, customized & compassionate care to support their RADIANT MAMA journey, from fertility and pregnancy to the postpartum stage.

What Is Radiant Mama?

Our flagship program, Radiant Mama, is designed to support your fertility journey and help you achieve your dream of motherhood, while healing your whole system—not just treating symptoms.

For thousands of years, Chinese Medicine has supported fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. Radiant Mama combines this ancient wisdom with modern expertise to help you navigate the transition into motherhood, whether you are trying to conceive naturally or using Assisted Reproductive Therapies (ART) like IUI and IVF. 

Radiant Mama is fully personalized and results oriented. We focus on all aspects of your health, work in tandem with your Western medical care, including ART, and meet you exactly where you are. Think of us as your expert health care provider, active partner, and compassionate coach in your journey to becoming a mother.

Program Details & Pricing

• Investment in Yourself: $1,550.00

• 6 Weekly Acupuncture Sessions: 1 treatment per week to support you where you are, in each stage of your menstrual cycle or ART cycle.

• 1 Guided Breathwork Session (60 min): To clear energy blocks, move old trauma and limiting beliefs and create room for positive change.

• Personalized Lifestyle & Dietary Plan: You'll receive a comprehensive self-care plan that encompasses lifestyle, diet, mindfulness, and supplement/herbal formulas tailored to your specific needs.

• 2 Weekly Check-in Calls: Coaching and support to keep you on track and address any questions or concerns.

• Personalized Take-Home Self-Care: Weekly programming supports your journey and educates you about the process.

• Subscription Maintenance Plan: Receive follow-up treatments at a discounted price of $100 (normally $130).

This is me, after being told I was old and pregnancy would be tough to achieve. But I followed my own and advice... and here we are.

If you’re interested in a discovery call, please Contact Me to schedule, or sign up for the program here.

House of JerMar Podcast -- Featuring Prinz Acupuncture!

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the incredible podcast, House of JerMar— and invite you to listen.

Tune in to hear how I transformed my own health struggle into a life-long mission to help others heal through the power of acupuncture. My story is not just about recovery—it's about rediscovering purpose and using acupuncture to empower others in managing pain and stress while nurturing their overall well-being.

Each week, host Jeanne invites guests to share how they focus on inner wellness through home and life design. In just three months, House of JerMar became top 10% of podcasts globally… yes, it’s that good :)

LISTEN:

SPOTIFY

APPLE PODCASTS

YOUTUBE

Trigger Point Therapy: A Path to Pain Relief & Athletic Performance

As an acupuncturist with advanced training in trigger point therapy, I'm excited to share some insights about this powerful technique that can significantly decrease levels of pain and tension, increase your athletic performance and recovery, and boost your overall health.

It's important to note that expert trigger point needling is a specialized skill that not all acupuncturists possess. When seeking treatment, it's crucial to work with a practitioner who has received in-depth training in this area.*

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points, often referred to as "knots" in your muscles, are hyper-irritable spots that can cause localized or referred pain. These trigger points are tight and contracted muscles, almost like hard nodules. 

This nodule usually occurs from overloading or overworking a muscle, whether from a repetitive movement, or acutely through a quick movement or lifting a heavy weight. It can even occur from sustained posture or sustained load like a heavy shoulder bag.

These points create pain where they are located, but also they can refer pain to a surrounding area. In other words, they cause even more trouble with their “satellite” of referred pain. For instance, someone experiencing headaches and jaw pain may not realize that these issues are actually caused by trigger points in the back, neck and head. 

Trigger points can form in any area of the body and muscle and can be responsible for upper and low back pain and lack of mobility, “sciatic”-like pain, headaches & migraines, TMJ, tinnitus, and countless other physical issues.

Trigger Point Referral Patterns in the Head

How Acupuncture Can Help

As an acupuncturist with specialized training in trigger point therapy, I use a combination of techniques to address these issues effectively:

• Precise Needling: Using expert needling techniques, I can target these specific ashi points (tender spots) with great accuracy. I was trained by the best of the best in trigger point therapy during my graduate studies, and it is both a skill and an art form effectively help the trigger point “release.”

• Myofascial Work: Hands-on techniques help to release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles.

• Cupping: This traditional technique can help increase blood flow and release muscle tension.

• Gua Sha: Another traditional method that can help break up fascial adhesions and promote healing.

By combining these approaches, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

The Importance of Addressing Trigger Points

Treating trigger points isn't just about immediate pain relief—though that's certainly a significant benefit! Here are several reasons why addressing these points is crucial for your overall health:

• Pain Relief: By targeting these specific points, we can often reduce or eliminate pain, improving your comfort and quality of life.

• Improved Range of Motion: Trigger points can limit your mobility. Treating them can help restore normal movement patterns, enhancing flexibility and preventing injuries.

• Enhanced Functionality: Chronic trigger points can lead to muscle weaknesses or imbalances. Addressing them improves muscle function and strength, benefiting your daily activities and athletic performance.

• Reduction of Muscle Tension: Treatment helps relax affected muscles, reducing overall tension and promoting relaxation.

• Prevention of Secondary Issues: Left untreated, trigger points can cause compensatory movements, potentially leading to secondary pain or dysfunction elsewhere in the body.

• Improved Circulation: Trigger points can impair blood flow. Treatment helps restore normal circulation, aiding in healing and overall muscle health.

• Better Sleep and Stress Relief: By managing trigger points, you may experience improved sleep quality and reduced stress levels, contributing to overall well-being.

If you're experiencing chronic pain, headaches, or reduced mobility, trigger point therapy could be the key to unlocking your body's natural healing potential. Don't let pain hold you back—reach out today to learn how we can help you on your journey to better health and wellness.

Balancing Act: Late Summer + Your Health

In Chinese Medicine theory, there are five natural elements that exist within us, as they do in nature. Each season belongs to a particular element and has specific correspondences. When we understand these natural cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round.

We’re currently in the season of the Earth element— the transitional period between summer and fall. This “late summer” corresponds to the Spleen and Stomach meridian systems, emphasizing digestive health, nourishment, and stability.

LATE SUMMER’S ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

 ELEMENT: EARTH

YIN ORGAN: SPLEEN

YANG ORGAN: STOMACH

EMOTION: WORRY 

SPIRIT: YI (INTELLECT)

CLIMATE: DAMPNESS

COLOR: YELLOW

TASTE: SWEET  

SENSE ORGANS: MOUTH

TISSUES: MUSCLES  

 VIRTUES: EMPATHY, NURTURING

Season of the Spleen

The Spleen plays a crucial role in our overall health, according to Chinese Medicine theory. It's responsible for producing Qi and blood, transforming food into energy, and supporting our mental capacity through the Yi (Intellect). When the Spleen is functioning optimally, it helps maintain a strong immune system, efficient digestion, and clear thinking. However, an imbalanced Spleen can lead to various health issues, including digestive problems, fatigue, and a tendency to worry or overthink. 

The Earth element relates to issues of dampness, which can manifest in the body as physical or mental fatigue, heaviness, digestive problems, and muscle weakness. Food therapy can greatly counteract this. Focus on consuming warm, cooked meals and gradually reduce your intake of cold, raw foods. Sweet flavors, when sourced from whole grains and root vegetables, can be particularly nourishing for the Spleen.

Tips to boost your Earth Element

- Start your day with a warm, substantial breakfast to support your Spleen and Stomach Qi. Here’s a recipe for delicious oats, which support the Earth element.

- Incorporate yellow and orange foods into your diet, such as squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Another recipe here. 

- Engage in grounding activities to stay centered in our chaotic world. Activities include “Earthing” (placing your bare feet on the earth or walking barefoot); mindful movement practices (yoga, tai chi, stretching); or a body scan meditation. Here are more ideas. 

- Limit screen time and be mindful of the information you consume mentally. We also digest ideas and thoughts!

• Try singing as a form of expression and to unlock your diaphragm muscle. It tends to tense when we are stressed or worried (the emotion of Earth), which makes it hard for our lungs to expand and breathe fully.

Acupuncture & Self Care

Acupuncture, herbal remedies, and essential oils can also be beneficial during this season. Patchouli, neroli, and grapefruit oils are particularly supportive for the Earth Element. 

For a simple at-home practice, you can try acupressure on the Spleen 9 point (SP-9, Yin Ling Quan). This point is located on the inside of the lower leg, just below the knee in a depression on the lower border of the tibia. It is often tender. Gently pressing this point for 20-30 seconds can help alleviate digestive discomfort, bloating, and even ease worrisome thoughts.

SPLEEN 9: RESOLVE DAMPNESS

As we transition from summer to fall, it's natural for some people to feel resistance to the changing seasons. This resistance can lead to stagnation in the body and weaken the immune system. By aligning our habits with the principles of the Earth Element, we can strengthen our digestive system, boost our immunity, and prepare ourselves for the coming fall season. Remember, in Chinese Medicine, living in harmony with the seasons is key to maintaining optimal health throughout the year.

TCM Tips: Your Summer Wellness Guide

With the perfect balance of the Summer Solstice happening on June 20th, it’s time to prepare our bodies and minds for sweaty summer season. While all of the fresh juices & face mists only temporarily alleviate the stifling heat that comes with summer, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gives us practical tools to change our internal enviornment to feel our best and stay healthy when the heat is on.

But first, what is the Summer all about in TCM?

Nature: Yang

Organ: Heart

Element: Fire

Flavor: Bitter

Emotion: Joy

Color: Red

The Summer is associated with the Element of Fire, and the organs of the Heart and Small Intestine. The Heart is the Emperor of the body and is associated with Joy, or lack thereof. When it is in balance, our heart spirit radiates into the world and we have effortless control that flows from intuition.

The Small Intestine is all about sorting the pure from the impure by burning away the mundane, which empowers transformation. It also helps us communicate clearly in the world. 

Take a moment to think about how this applies to your daily life. How can you harness your Heart energy to tap into your Joy, harness your intuition, filter away the bulls@it and speak your truth clearly?

Now that it’s Summer, let your inner fire burn bright! It can propel you to tap into your deep knowing, create the new, destroy the old, and/or fly to heights you only imagined before. If you feel like you’re going too hard and burning out, remember to take it easy, drink or sink into water, quiet time, and eat cooling foods (see below for some food tips).

In terms of living in accordance with the Summer season,, here are some concrete Chinese Medicine tips for health:

• You can go to sleep later than usual, while still waking early, since we are more energized

• Avoid getting angry or hold grudges, and uphold a joyful nature. Summer is also the ideal time to heal emotional wounds

• Stay physically active and get your sweat on

• You can eat more raw and uncooked foods than usual, but remember not to overdo it and cool down your digestive fires too much (if you start to get loose stools or discomfort, reincorporate more warm and cooked foods)

  • Here are some examples of cooling foods that will keep you balanced during the summer and help your body adjust to the long hot summer days!

    Watermelon

    Apricot

    Cantaloupe

    Lemon

    Peach

    Orange

    Strawberries

    Tomatoes

    Asparagus

    Sprouts

    Bamboo

    Bok choy

    Broccoli

    Chinese cabbage

    Corn

    Cucumber

    White mushroom

    Snow peas

    Spinach

    Summer squash

    Watercress

    Seaweed

    Mung means

    Cilantro

    Mint

    Dill

    Seafood, Fish

• Eat in moderation. In summer, indigestion can easily occur, so a light and less-greasy diet is strongly recommended. Over consumption of any food, especially cooling foods, can lead to indigestion, sluggishness and possibly diarrhea.

• Stay away from dairy, heavy, greasy, and fried foods. Also avoid dark meats which tend to be warmer in nature.

By incorporating these guidelines, you’ll help to support your physical health and also safeguard against fatigue and illness in the upcoming Fall Season.

The change of Season is also an optimal time to receive acupuncture. Treatment enables you to transition more seamlessly, and helps your body, mind and Spirit acclimate to the new conditions and avoid illness.

credit: HHEININGE art

Acupuncture Is a Girl’s Best Friend

How Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine Empowers Women's Well-Being

Acupuncture has proven its efficacy in treating a wide array of conditions that disproportionately affect women, from hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities to infertility, endometriosis, and menopausal discomforts. Its safe, painless, and fast-acting nature has made it a trusted ally for millions worldwide, including those right here in West Chester, PA.

It’s International Women's Month, so let's explore how acupuncture and traditional medicine can elevate and nurture the lives of females across all stages of life.

Six Ways That Acupuncture Improves Women’s Health

Reducing Severity and Frequency of Migraines

Let’s face it: migraines are simply debilitating and can truly make a huge impact on quality of life. (as a migraine sufferer, I know!). In the U.S., women are about three times more likely than men to have migraines. But studies using acupuncture for treatment are highly promising! Seven out of 10 clinical trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture showed a more significant reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks and headache intensity. Four studies revealed acupuncture is just as effective and has fewer side effects than any western medicine. Wow! 

Restful Rejuvenation Through Improved Sleep

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies are backed by evidence for promoting restorative sleep and reducing insomnia. By calming the nervous system and guiding the body from a stress ("fight or flight") state to a relaxed ("rest and digest") state, acupuncture regulates the delicate dance between the nervous and endocrine systems. This relieves stress, anxiety, pain, and inflammation while boosting feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and GABA – paving the way for better sleep, digestion, fertility, and mental well-being.

Harmonizing Your Monthly Cycle

Whether you struggle with menstrual cramps, headaches, mood fluctuations, migraines, or irregular cycles, acupuncture can bring relief. Beyond alleviating discomfort, it works to regulate future cycles and uplift your overall quality of life.

Cultivating Mental Resilience

Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, often due to hormonal shifts, environmental stressors, or a combination of both. If you're grappling with stress, anxiety, or related mental health concerns, numerous studies have validated acupuncture's efficacy in restoring emotional equilibrium.

Nurturing Fertility

Estimates suggest that one in six to one in ten couples face fertility challenges. Acupuncture has proven its ability to address infertility in women and men by improving underlying conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), luteal phase defects, idiopathic infertility, or thyroid disorders – and by rebalancing hormone levels, thus increasing the chances of conception.

Navigating Peri-menopause and Menopause with Ease

While menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, and emotional upheavals are common, acupuncture can effectively reduce or eliminate them. Researchers at the University of Denmark found that just five weeks of acupuncture significantly improved these symptoms in menopausal women, offering a safer and more affordable alternative to hormone therapies and medications.

This is merely a glimpse into the range of ways that acupuncture can enhance women's health and vitality. If you have any questions, please reach out or schedule a session today!

Special Event: Yoga + Acupuncture at Blue Buddha Healing, Saturday, March 23rd

Join us Saturday, March 23rd for a Class of Movement & Healing Rest

About the Class:

This unique practice opportunity will begin with flowing, intuitive yoga. After you get your sweat and flow on, we will settle in an extended savasana, where participants can choose to receive the application of ear seeds, or enjoy an ear (auricular) acupuncture treatment. Blue Buddha Healing is a gorgeous space located at 622 Wharton Blvd., Exton, PA 19341. Simple online booking is available here.

What is Ear Acupuncture?

Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular therapy, describes any acupressure or acupuncture treatment that’s limited to your ears. It helps regulate the body's internal organs, structures and functions. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a safe, effective and drug-free way to help treat a wide range of health conditions.

• Ear acupuncture uses tiny needles to stimulate the acu-point. They are removed after the allotted amount of treatment time.

• Ear acupressure uses ear seeds, which are non-invasive, stick-on gold balls. Press them lightly throughout the day to activate the points as desired. They will wash off in 2-5 days (or you will remove them in 5 days).

What health conditions does ear acupuncture & acupressure treat?

This modality can safely and effectively tackle a range of mental and physical health concerns including:

• Acute and chronic pain, mental health (insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression), digestive issues, allergies & respiratory issues, TMJ, migraines, weight loss / cravings, and addiction, among many others.

Just Say “NO” To the Cold & Flu With Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Just Say “NO” To the Cold & Flu With Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Say YES To Increased Immunity With My Five Easy Tips

We’re right in the middle of cold and flu season and people are dropping like flies—straight to bed with a box of tissues, NyQuil and well-deserved self-pity. Don’t be one of them! As an acupuncturist, I’m not immune to germs, BUT I have tricks up my sleeve for staying healthy.

But first, if you do get sick, keep in mind that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a powerhouse remedy for the common cold and flu, and the sooner you treat it, the better.  During this time of year I often get calls from patients who apologetically say that they can’t come in for their appointment because they’re sick. My immediate response is an emphatic, “COME IN!”. 

Acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, and moxibustion—combined with Chinese herbal formulas— can provide immediate relief from cold/flu symptoms and drastically reduce the length of the infection. Chinese herbs are used in much the same way as antibiotics, but are safer and don't have the nasty side effects.

While Western medicine only offers symptomatic treatment — decongestants, fluids and rest — Chinese medicine takes a proactive role in eliminating the pathogen and resolving the disease process. It also boosts overall immunity. In fact, acupuncture boosts the immune system's production of natural killer cells for up to 3 days after each treatment! This means you’ll be less likely to catch the next bug going around your office AND avoid longer-term issues.

Tips For Boosting Immunity and Avoiding Sickness:

1. Be like a bear and hibernate. 
   Winter is the time to rest and conserve our Qi— going inwards, just like nature around us. Get at least 7 hours per night of sleep. This is the single, most impactful action you can take to improve your immunity, energy level, mood, and overall health. Anything less than 7 hours basically zaps your health. According to a study by the Sleep Research Society, those who sleep only 5-6 hours per night are a whopping 4.5 more times susceptible to catching a cold.

2. Give your gut some love.
   A balanced immune system depends on a healthy and strong digestive system. This means our gut bacteria need to be in balance. Add in a daily probiotic (at least 15 billion per dose) and incorporate fermented foods (fermented veggie, kimchi, miso, non-dairy yogurt) into your diet.

3. Eat for warmth.
   When it comes to what you’re eating, 'warm and cooked' should be your mantra. This is NOT the time to add more cold to your already cold body with cold and raw foods. Hold off on salad, smoothies and the like until it’s warmer outside. Make roasted veggies, stews and soups your mainstay and incorporate warming herbs like cinnamon, ginger, garlic, rosemary, and black pepper. The right yummy foods will add heat to your body and stoke your digestive fire. 

4. Dress to boost body temp. 
   Research confirms that a higher body temperature can tremendously increase immunity, strengthen the endocrine system and boost the body’s basal metabolic rate. First, (and I know I sound like your Mom), dress warmly and cover the back of your neck and head. Colds tend to enter us through the nape of the neck, which is why many colds start as a stiff neck and shoulders. Second, keep your core (torso) warm. A warm core is able to readily release blood to the extremities. Do this by wearing a Japanese Haramaki (hara- center; maki - wrap) to keep it warm. You can find them on Amazon.

5. Get acupuncture.
   I’m obviously biased because I’m an acupuncturist, but it is a fact that acupuncture creates physiological changes that regulate immune function. For starters, it can cause a rise in levels of interferon, one of the immune system’s messenger hormones, and it boosts the immune system's production of natural killer cells for up to 3 days after each treatment. Now that’s what I call cold and flu protection!

Microneedling Is HERE: My Answer for Lasting Skin Rejuvenation

Beauty is more than skin deep— and our powerful new treatment offering at Prinz Acupuncture —Microneedling + Acupuncture — combines the powerful skin remodeling benefits of Microneedling, aka “collagen induction therapy”, with the deep healing of Acupuncture.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic rejuvenation treatment that stimulates the skin's natural healing process to remodel the skin. It is used to improve the texture of your skin, including fine lines and wrinkles, pore size, and acne scarring. Although microneedling is mostly used on your face, it can be used to treat other areas of the body, such as the hands or neck, as well as on the scalp for hair regrowth.

How Does it Work?

The procedure involves puncturing the very top layer of the skin with fine, tiny needles, using a professional device that looks like an electronic pen. By creating tiny controlled injuries (tiny “holes”) in the uppermost skin layers, we are able to minimize cellular damage, while promoting collagen formation and new skin cell growth in the deeper layers. Collagen, which is a naturally occurring protein, helps the skin withstand stretching. The new skin cells help create a more even texture and tone. The process also allows active serums to penetrate into the skin and / or scalp, creating even more of an anti-aging result.

Overall Results

The results include a more even skin tone that appears taut and glowing, with less wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and imperfections. With multiple sessions, collagen is shown to increase by 400%, and the absorption of products is increased up to 2000%!

Note, while you may see some improvements following one session, most people need a series of three or four treatments to maximize their results. On the plus side, microneedling is minimally invasive and has little downtime.

Why Choose An Acupuncturist for This Procedure?

In Pennsylvania, only acupuncturists, physicians, nurses and physicans assistants may perform microneedling. Acupuncturists already have a Masters Degree, and then must also obtain in-depth training and certification to perform the Microneedling procedure.

Acupuncturists performing Microneedling treat the skin as well as underlying issues, so the overall health of the person and their skin is addressed. And let’s be honest, who knows needles better than an acupuncturist!

Why Prinz for Microneedling?

Our signature Microneedling Glow sessions at the Prinz oasis are luxurious, effective and ultra-rejuvenating! The 90-minute session includes a full body acupuncture treatment, micro-needling of the face using the highest RPM professional technology, LED light therapy, and the application and use of targeted apple stem-cell based facial serums.

Who is a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

If you are in overall good health, you have better odds of being a good candidate for microneedling. A consultation with your dermatologist can help identify if you’re a good candidate. If you have any of the following concerns, speak with a dermatologist before scheduling a microneedling procedure.

• Acne or treating acne with medication

• A blood disorder or are prescribed anticoagulants (aka blood thinners)

• Cancer and are being treated with radiation or chemotherapy

• Frequent cold sores or skin rashes

• Your skin forms hard, raised scars when healing

• Skin growths, freckles, or moles that change in shape or size or bleed

• Eczema or psoriasis

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are some risks. The most common side effects include redness and minor skin irritation immediately following a microneedling procedure. If more serious side effects occur, such as bleeding, bruising, or peeling, contact your dermatologist.

The Results Are In... Prinz Acupuncture is Named "Best of"

Prinz Acupuncture has been named "Best of Chester County" in the Alternative Medicine category of the Daily Local's annual Reader's Choice Awards. I am thrilled, after just opening the doors to Prinz Acupuncture of West Chester in February of 2023— it’s been a joy to offer acupuncture in my hometown and to create a peaceful sanctuary where people can come to rest, restore and heal.

Helping people heal from chronic health conditions, recover from pain & injury, and enjoy wellness in body & mind with acupuncture is my passion.  Nothing makes me happier than applying my expertise & experience to help people feel like their best self.

My patients are at the center of everything I do-- and I truly appreciate all of my patients for entrusting me with your health and wellbeing.