The ancient practice of acupuncture has landed in Asbury Park’s Health and Wellness corner along Bond Avenue and Bangs Street, where Tao and Daley yoga studios, Bond and Bangs apothecary and Dr. Pat Connolly’s Chiropractic reside.
Red Bank’s Catellini Care mother/daughter duo Lesley and Erica Castellini have opened Asbury Acupuncture at 418 Bond St, a city first in recent years.
The women are board certified and licensed acupuncturist, able to help ease an array of ailments, be it migraine headaches and muscular strains to acute and chronic pain.
The common misconception, both say, is that acupuncture will hurt.
“Most people are pleasantly surprised that they don’t feel it,” Lesley Castellini said.
“The needles are hair thin,” Erica Castellini said. “Once in a blue moon you may hit a surface nerve; you may get a little burning but then I rub it out. For people who are needle phobic, the can put the headphones on, close their eyes and just relax.”
The family practices foundation was set back in 1981 when Castellini opened her first chiropractic office in Fair Haven.
“It was predominately a male profession then,” Castellini said.
After sharing an office space with a acupuncturist 20 years ago, Castellini’s interest grew.
“It intrigued me,” she said. “I could see there was an art to it yet there was the science.”
She made the plunge and spent three years obtaining a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture from Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City.
It was at that time that Erica Castellini’s interest began to grow.
“Mom wanted one of daughters to get into the practice,” Castellini said. “When she was in school, she used to practice on me all the time.”
Although the 33-year-old obtained a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University, she returned to advance education, obtaining a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture from the very college her mother attended close to a decade prior. The program equates to 3,000 hours in an intense 5 day per week curriculum and clinical hours, she said.
“You start needling within a couple month and spend a couple years learning the different theories,” Castellini said. “It gives you a better balance.”
Their combined expertise is varied an array of modalities that span from the traditional Chinese therapy to Japanese, Korean, and French Meridian styles.
At its base, acupuncture is used a complementary practice, Lesley Castellini said. The pricking of the skin and tissues can be used to alleviate a host of physical, mental, and emotional conditions. In their practice, the Castellini women address the following:
General: Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis, Headaches, TMJ, Back Pain, Sciatica, Musculoskeletal Problems, Insomnia, Anxiety, Dizziness, Depression, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Addictions, Indigestion, Constipation, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Operative Recovery, Palliative Care.
Women’s Health: Menstrual Irregularities, Menopause, Conception Difficulties, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation Difficulties, Postpartum, Ovarian and Uterine Problems.
Men’s Health: Prostate, Infertility, Impotence.
Pediatrics: Asthma, Cough, Digestive Problems, Behavioral Problems, Ear Infections, Sleep Problems.
Preventative Health: Prevention, Stress Management, Wellness, Seasonal Attunement.
“Acupuncture was made and created to be a preventive medicine,” Erica Castellini said. “Today, I think people get frustrated with [western medicine’s side effects]. You’re seeing more and more insurance groups paying for it and there is more and more research coming out.”
Since opening in May, the Asbury residents have launched community driven initiatives that included complementary treatments and partnering with Trinity Church on Asbury Avenue to offer impromptu gratis therapies.
“I’d like to do more volunteer work and group sessions,” Lesley Castellini said. “I love being here because of the energy.”
“I love the sense of community here,” Erica Castellini said. “There’s a special bond here and I think there is a need for what we do in the community.”
For more information, click here to visit their website.
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