EXPERT
Andrea Cillo
Acupuncturist
It all started when I was two years old and my mom took me to see New York Dance Theater's "The Nutcracker." During the Snow Pas de Deux, I stood up, pointed to the stage and yelled, "I want to be that! But without him because I don't need his help." Needless to say, my mom signed me up for dance classes and when I was 10, I became a full time ballerina at the Frank Ohman School of Ballet. When I was 14, I was diagnosed with bursitis in both of my hips. After a stint with physical therapy failed, I was told that if I wanted to be pain free, I'd have to quit dancing. Well that wasn't going to happen. That was when my mom suggested acupuncture. Pretty nervous, I went, and after several treatments I started improving, and then improving exponentially. I went from hardly being able to walk without pain, to dancing my heart out again. Surely enough, I became Snow Queen and learned very quickly that I do in fact need his help.
When it came time to pick a major in college I immediately chose biology. I knew I wanted to be in a medical field but there are so many incredible opportunities to choose from. Again, my mom's advice led me to acupuncture. I started talking to my acupuncturist and discovered that I could do so much more than treat pain. Once he started describing the theory, I was hooked.
After receiving my associates in biology, I attended the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in Manhattan and earned my Masters of Science in Acupuncture. There I learned the unique style of Acupuncture Physical Medicine (aka trigger point dry needling). Developed by our headmaster Mark Seem and based on Janet Travell's books on trigger points, this technique releases "knots" in muscles to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and even internal visceral symptoms (such as chest pain or digestive disorders) without the harmful injections of steroids or numbing agents. I was also taught many other tricks that go with the trade such as moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, cupping and gua sha. Currently, I am studying Classical Chinese Medicine under the mentorship of Timothy Aitken, a master practitioner in the teaching lineage of Jeffery Yuen and specialist in pediatric acupuncture.
When it came time to pick a major in college I immediately chose biology. I knew I wanted to be in a medical field but there are so many incredible opportunities to choose from. Again, my mom's advice led me to acupuncture. I started talking to my acupuncturist and discovered that I could do so much more than treat pain. Once he started describing the theory, I was hooked.
After receiving my associates in biology, I attended the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in Manhattan and earned my Masters of Science in Acupuncture. There I learned the unique style of Acupuncture Physical Medicine (aka trigger point dry needling). Developed by our headmaster Mark Seem and based on Janet Travell's books on trigger points, this technique releases "knots" in muscles to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and even internal visceral symptoms (such as chest pain or digestive disorders) without the harmful injections of steroids or numbing agents. I was also taught many other tricks that go with the trade such as moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, cupping and gua sha. Currently, I am studying Classical Chinese Medicine under the mentorship of Timothy Aitken, a master practitioner in the teaching lineage of Jeffery Yuen and specialist in pediatric acupuncture.
11 years
Experience
Andrea Cillo
- Bay Shore, New York
- Tri State College of Acupuncture
- Accepting new patients
My Blog
On my website, you'll find a blog that I use to provide a basic education in the theories of acupuncture. I feel that the more one understands about acupuncture and how it works,...
What is the success rate of acupuncture for quitting smoking?
Acupuncture can be extremely helpful in quitting smoking, but you have to want to quit. I have found that if a patient is trying to quit because "they should," or because "so-and-so READ MORE
Acupuncture can be extremely helpful in quitting smoking, but you have to want to quit. I have found that if a patient is trying to quit because "they should," or because "so-and-so wants them to," that acupuncture doesn't help at all. When someone comes to me and they're ready to do the work, acupuncture is incredibly successful. So much so, I've been able to help someone with only one treatment as they continued to work with a meditation practice I gave them, and another by using only ear seeds (acupressure) that they applied themselves.
Can acupuncture help respiratory problems?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating and preventing many respiratory conditions from allergies, to asthma, to COPD.
Is acupuncture good for your lungs?
Yes. Acupuncture can be used to treat and strengthen the lungs, and also help to prevent disease.
Is acupuncture good for pneumonia?
Yes. Acupuncture can be used to treat pneumonia but I recommend you are seeing your medical doctor as well because antibiotics and other interventions may be necessary.
How long do the effects of an acupuncture treatment last?
That depends on the severity of your condition, how many treatments you've had, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan. Generally speaking, acupuncture has READ MORE
That depends on the severity of your condition, how many treatments you've had, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan. Generally speaking, acupuncture has a cumulative effect. The more regular you are with treatments, the longer lasting your results will be.
Does acupuncture cure male infertility?
Yes. Acupuncture can help resolve both male and female infertility.
How does acupuncture increase blood flow?
Acupuncture increases blood flow in two main ways: 1. Regulating the flow of qi (energy). We understand that the qi is what moves the blood. So if your blood isn't moving, the READ MORE
Acupuncture increases blood flow in two main ways:
1. Regulating the flow of qi (energy). We understand that the qi is what moves the blood. So if your blood isn't moving, the qi must not be either. Once we can remove whatever is blocking the flow of qi, the blood will move as well.
2. Ensuring that you have enough blood in your body. Think of your blood vessles like a river. When the river is full of water, the water moves freely. When the river starts to dry up, water will pool in certain areas and be unable to move. If this is the case, we work to help build blood, filling the vessels again and increasing the flow.
1. Regulating the flow of qi (energy). We understand that the qi is what moves the blood. So if your blood isn't moving, the qi must not be either. Once we can remove whatever is blocking the flow of qi, the blood will move as well.
2. Ensuring that you have enough blood in your body. Think of your blood vessles like a river. When the river is full of water, the water moves freely. When the river starts to dry up, water will pool in certain areas and be unable to move. If this is the case, we work to help build blood, filling the vessels again and increasing the flow.
When should you do acupuncture for fertility?
You can start acupuncture for fertility at any point in your family journey. It can also be a great support with western treatment modalities such as Clomid, IUI, or IVF. As with READ MORE
You can start acupuncture for fertility at any point in your family journey. It can also be a great support with western treatment modalities such as Clomid, IUI, or IVF. As with everything, however, the sooner you start, the quicker you will see results.
Does acupuncture help with blood circulation?
Yes, acupuncture can help with blood circulation.
Can acupuncture help bloating?
Yes, acupuncture can help regulate bloating and many other digestive issues.
Can acupuncture lower creatinine?
Yes, acupuncture can help regulate creatinine levels by supporting kidney function.
Can acupuncture help with blocked arteries?
Yes. Acupuncture can help treat and prevent blocked arteries but one should also be sure they are working closely with a cardiologist and/or vascular specialist as surgical intervention READ MORE
Yes. Acupuncture can help treat and prevent blocked arteries but one should also be sure they are working closely with a cardiologist and/or vascular specialist as surgical intervention may be necessary. If you are working with a team of specialists, acupuncture can help support their work and increase the effectiveness of medications.
Does acupuncture help getting pregnant?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very helpful with increasing fertility.
Is acupuncture effective for chronic pain?
Yes. Acupuncture is very effective in treating chronic pain but it does take time. Generally speaking, the longer something has been in existence, the longer it will take to resolve. READ MORE
Yes. Acupuncture is very effective in treating chronic pain but it does take time. Generally speaking, the longer something has been in existence, the longer it will take to resolve.
Can acupuncture help with concussions?
Yes. Acupuncture can help with the symptoms of a concussion and help speed up the recovery from one.
Can acupressure reduce blood pressure?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effecive in lowering blood pressure.
Do you get immediate relief from acupuncture?
You can but that depends on the condition. For example, if someone is coming in for an acute condition (something that happened within the past few days), they may feel relief READ MORE
You can but that depends on the condition. For example, if someone is coming in for an acute condition (something that happened within the past few days), they may feel relief after the first treatment. If they're coming in for a chronic condition, however, it may take several treatments to feel relief.
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for pain?
That depends on how long you have been experiencing the pain, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan. Generally speaking, the longer something has been in READ MORE
That depends on how long you have been experiencing the pain, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan. Generally speaking, the longer something has been in existence, the longer it will take to resolve. That being said, if you're not finding some changes or improvements within 5-8 treatments, I recommend trying a different style of acupuncture or a different acupuncturist.
Is acupuncture effective for carpal tunnel?
Yes. Acupuncture can be effective for carpal tunnel.
Is acupuncture effective for varicose veins?
Yes. Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for varicose veins.
