Alyssa Risi, DTCM, Dipl. Ac, L.Ac, is a dedicated Acupuncture practitioner with a profound mission to bring optimal health to patients who seek it. Her approach is rooted in education, showing individuals that healing is attainable with an open mind and heart. Alyssa’s journey is to enhance the quality of life for those she serves. Holding a Master’s of Science Degree in Acupuncture and a Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Alyssa is nationally recognized as a Diplomat of Acupuncture. She is board-certified and licensed to practice Acupuncture in New Jersey, with a background in biology and a passion for functional medicine. Her diverse training in acupuncture styles and non-needling techniques allows her to provide comprehensive care for a wide range of medical conditions, from pain management to mental health and wellness. MysticMag finds out more.
Acupuncture has a rich history dating back over 4,000 years to ancient China. Could you share with us how this traditional practice has evolved and found its place in modern healthcare, especially in Western societies?
With many industries, I feel like Eastern cultures are way ahead of us. So it makes sense that this medicine was implemented there well before we found out about it. Our supervisors in school told us stories of the “early” days where they’d be treating patients in dim, back rooms feeling rebellious for practicing this form of medicine that seemed like witchcraft! It wasn’t really until the 60s and 70s that acupuncture really caught wind and began to be talked about more regularly. Practitioners began to educate patients and doctors in this modality that has roots in East Asian communities. We are using the body’s own strategies to regulate the healing response and implement homeostasis in a holistic way. With the opioid crisis seeming to increase more and more, I feel like there is always a place to think about and use more alternative ways to help patients with pain, physical or emotional. With little to no big risk of injury, it’s easy to make an argument that this is a safe way to help someone without adding more medication to their healing regimen. If you look at patients going through chemo or fertility for example: the amount of medications they are on can really do a number on their bodies. Instead of giving them more meds to combat side effects with more side effects, acupuncture can help relieve stress, tension, inflammation and pain without having to take anything else. This can also go for pain conditions. Why not try a natural route first to get to the root of the pain as opposed to throwing them pain meds to cover up symptoms?
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, or Nei Jing, is one of the earliest Chinese medical texts that laid the foundation for acupuncture. Can you explain some key principles and concepts from this text and how they are applied in acupuncture today?
These texts preach the deeply rooted beliefs that we are a beautiful combination of the universe and the ground we walk on. Our goal should be to stay balanced in terms of health and wellness. We are made up of fluids, Qi, blood, all things yin and yang and 5 core elements. When something is out of place within us, other parts of us suffer. So the goal is to remain diligent with our lifestyles to ensure we are in the best health possible. This helps us reach our full potential to live a life of happiness and optimal health. By way of acupuncture, we can help patients release tension, stress and inflammation, allowing for a free flow of Qi and fluids, creating harmony internally and externally.
Could you describe some of the physiological and physical responses that patients can experience during and after an acupuncture session?
Depending on the style used, sensations are a part of treatment. Some points will feel dull, achy or like a bruise. Other styles involve releasing muscle fibers and trigger points, so patients may feel movement, jumping, twitching. I like to state that after manipulating any point, I’d like you to feel minimal sensation. I often check in as I go, to ensure nothing is too sharp or uncomfortable. Once the needles are in, I do a final check in with the patient to make sure they do not feel any discomfort, but I’m ok if they feel some pressure or are aware of “something”. I will let them rest for a bit and then come back to take them out. After the session, patients may feel a bit tired or sleepy, relaxed and in the mood to just go home and nap or relax. They may feel some soreness or looseness if I release some muscles, but overall they will hopefully just feel relaxed and be in a better mood/mindset.
Many people are turning to acupuncture for various health concerns, but they might not be fully aware of the range of conditions it can help with. Can you elaborate on the diverse conditions that acupuncture can effectively treat, including both physical and mental health issues?
Acupuncture is very safe and natural, making it very versatile, as it does not involve medications unless you visit a provider who implements herbal supplements into their treatment plan for you. Acupuncture can help treat multiple conditions, physical and emotional/mental. I personally see patients for orthopedic, musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions such as sprains, strains, bone breaks, ligament tears, post surgery cases, disc dysfunction and the like. I also treat patients for headaches and chronic migraine. I have seen people who’d like to become pregnant, who are having thyroid imbalance, and who have anxiety. There is a time and place for any modality, and I find acupuncture useful for many conditions as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies.
I see that you offer Cosmetic Microneedling as a service. Could you explain how this technique, which falls within the scope of acupuncture, can benefit individuals looking to improve their skin health and appearance, and how it differs from other cosmetic procedures?
I like to consider this sort of like a holistic chemical peel or organic botox without the intensity of pain, chemicals or recovery time. The concept behind this technique is that micro injury through the needling gun creates tiny channels within the epidermis to dermis to allow for an increase in blood flow, circulation and collagen production. This enhances cell turnover so new skin cells come to the surface, revealing fresh glowing features! It helps with fine lines, wrinkles & texture as the collagen comes in and helps plump the skin and fill in the gaps. This is also useful for breaking up collections of melanin cells (melanocytes), like hyperpigmentation from scarring.
I personally got into this as I have olive skin and tend to scar very easily, so I suffer from breakout scars and sunspots as I do not do a good job of using sunscreen (yes, shame on me!). Microneedling has been SO useful in fading my scars, reducing the size of my pores and smoothing out my texture/coloration, more than any topical serum I’ve tried (which I’ve tried hundreds over the years). There is minimal downtime also, which is nice. It’s recommended to not apply makeup or sweat for a day or so; there is some redness that fades within 12-14 hours, peeling is normal as we’re shedding the old skin cells to make room for new layers of cells. And just try to avoid direct sun, retinol, and exfoliating products for a week or so. Just be sure to use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer as there can be some tightness in the face due to temporary inflammation. Be VERY smart with sunscreen as well.
It’s safe for the face and neck, allowing the body’s natural healing response to kick into gear and create a glow more naturally than harsh chemical peels and other intense topicals that could burn or sting. I use natural serums or pure hyaluronic acid while needling to decrease friction and numbing cream can be implemented before use to help with any discomfort, which is usually minimal. I numb you for 15-20 min, needle for 20-25 min & finish with a gentle massage of extra serum. The process is quick, easy, minimally invasive and so effective!
If you would like to find out more about Alyssa Risi, visit https://www.alyssarisi.com/
