Acupuncture and TCM for the Skin

Chinese Medicine – A Natural Approach to Treat Skin Conditions

Whether you’re seeking an effective treatment for acne, dry skin, or other common skin disorders, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help. Its methods are natural, effective and long-lasting, and they are considered safe.

Dr. Joseph Alban has worked to bring the best possible Chinese Medicine therapies for the skin to his New York City Acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice. During his postgraduate studies, he trained in a traditional Chinese medicine hospital with a distinguished dermatology department in Hunan, China.

Since then, he has completed extensive training with Mazin Al Khafaji, one of the world’s most renowned experts in Chinese medicine dermatology.  He is a board member for the International TCM Dermatology Association,  the editor and co-author of the e-book An Introduction to Chinese Medicine Dermatology, and a regular speaker at the Integrative Dermatology Symposium.

An Introduction to

Chinese Medicine Dermatology

How Chinese medicine works?

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has been treating skin conditions for over 3000 years and is a natural and effective treatment for many skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis, vitiligo, and others.

Chinese medicine works to bring balance to the natural function of the body. Once the balance is achieved, the body can heal itself.

The goal of Chinese Medicine is to treat skin conditions by treating the root cause. The root cause may stem from many imbalances such as excessive heat, dampness, stagnation, or other imbalances.

During the consultation, I will take your pulse, look at your skin and tongues, take your pulse, ask many questions to determine the underlying imbalance. The treatment targets the imbalances and brings the body back to health.

 Aside from treating the symptoms, Chinese medicine works to balance the body, mind, and spirit. Treatment may include herbal medicine (both topical and oral), acupuncture, and lifestyle changes to improve skin health.

Chinese Medicine dermatology is a natural way to treat many skin problems. It can produce results for many within weeks and most patients will experience noticeable improvements within a month. Some stubborn cases, however, will require a longer course of treatment. Please call us at 212-319-5757 or request an appointment online to discuss your health concerns.

skin conditions

Acupuncture Treatment for Skin Conditions

Chinese medicine can be effective for many skin conditions including…

Personalized Treatment for Each Patient

The cornerstone of Chinese medicine therapy for the skin is treatment with personalized acupuncture and herbal formulas. In my 15 years of practice I have helped hundreds of patients with skin conditions. My goal as a Chinese medicine practitioner is to understand the disharmony causing the skin problem, and how we can best use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to correct it.  This is done through observing skin symptoms and overall health to paint a picture of the particular disharmony affecting you.

Chinese medicine recognizes not only what skin disease you have, such as eczema, but the qualities of the condition which you, as an individual, are experiencing. This includes the appearance of the skin, onset of the condition, digestion, temperature, body pain, well being, and others.

To correctly treat skin conditions, the herbal ingredients and acupuncture points are tailored to the specific imbalance causing the disease. The power of Chinese medicine therapy for skin conditions lies in assessing each individual’s symptoms to determine the imbalance that lies at the root of the condition. The herbal therapy is tailored specifically to correct the imbalance.

Let’s discuss acne as an example. Acne may be caused by heat or it may be caused by stagnation (among other imbalances). If the acne is caused by heat and dampness, herbs which are cooling and drying would need to be used. For acne caused by stasis, herbs that increase circulation would be required. By correcting the underlying imbalance, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can lead to long term lasting results.

Feedback From our clients…

“I had suffered from eczema for many years, and had gone through numerous prescription steroid creams, all of which worked for about a week before the eczema flared up again, worse than the previous time. I was fed up and wanted to find a solution that would actually last, and that would not leave me dependent on medications that had undesirable side effects. I saw improvements after just a few weeks, and after several months of treatments, I am eczema-free! It’s wonderful to feel like you’ve actually healed from the inside-out, rather than chasing after all those itchy patches with endless creams and ointments. Joe is incredibly knowledgeable and explains the entire process. The acupuncture sessions are very calming and enjoyable, and the herbal medicines are convenient and easy to use. I am extremely happy with the results, and highly recommend Joe!”

~ D.I., New York City