The reason that The Fit In exists is because I injured my back 6 years ago. It was a catalyst for me to put more study into fitness and wellness. This continued education is what allowed me to have the confidence of bringing health & wellness to my own community and help avoid some of the health issues that have plagued us for so long.

Back in 2014, I first started taking HIIT style classes and I fell in love. The weights, the sweat, the challenge was so great at the time because it helped better manage the stress of my corporate job. But one day, here I was doing a burpee and I feel my lower back snap.

Once this happened, I built a very close relationship with 2 people. First was my physical therapist Monique Dupree. Second, my acupuncturist Celine Foster, founder of True North Healing Arts in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

I was referred to acupuncture from a colleague who told me that it helped her with her pain as well as other things so I thought I’d give it a go. Since then, Celine has been by my acupuncturist, my herbal witch, & therapist. If you want to know about me, ask Celine. Maybe it’s because we have almost the same birth chart (heavy Capricorn energy). From back pain, shoulder pain, fertility issues, anxiety, I’ve gone to Celine to work her magic. So I asked Celine to answer a few questions about acupuncture and cupping for those who may not be familiar with the practices.

Where does acupuncture come from?

The theory and practice of acupuncture originated in China. The first record of acupuncture is from about 6000 BCE. Acupuncture was passed down through certain dynastic schools, thus creating various styles of acupuncture.

What is acupuncture used for? What are the top conditions you tend to see?

Acupuncture can treat a whole variety of conditions. The top conditions I treat these days are GI issues, headaches/migraines, muscle tension/pain management, fertility and GYN issues, stress and psycho emotional issues. 

What is acupuncture good for?

I think the biggest misconception about acupuncture is that it only treats certain conditions. It is a great stress management tool, and a preventative form of medicine. The main idea behind the practice of acupuncture is bringing the body back into its natural homeostatic state by relaxing the central nervous system. So any in-balance in the body, whether it is physical or emotional, can benefit from having acupuncture sessions. Getting a tune up once a month is great in your overall wellness and health journey.

Is acupuncture painful?

You could be more sensitive in certain areas, but no it should not hurt. The acupuncture needles are very thin and placed along meridians, you may feel more awareness of the points in certain spots. If there is any discomfort you should communicate that with the acupuncturist and they will make an adjustment.

What is cupping therapy? When should I do cupping vs. acupuncture?

Cupping is an adjunct modality that is used in acupuncture to help with muscle tensions and in some cases in detox. Suction or glass cups are placed in areas of stagnation (pain) to encourage the body to send blood and oxygen to those areas to relieve tension and pain. 

I usually always suggest doing acupuncture and cupping together. They complement each other very nicely and add to the total package of a treatment. So it's not really about acupuncture vs cupping, it's more about what specific issue is going on and what would be the best route to re-balance the body. Cupping could not be good for certain constitutions. As always, it's very case by case dependent.

What are things I should know when preparing for my first acupuncture session?

Preparing for your first acupuncture session, I recommend having eaten a small meal an hour before the session. During the initial acupuncture session, we do a full health history intake, and based on all those factors select a great treatment plan.