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 happens if acupuncture hits a nerve?
You may feel a sharp or burning sensation that will linger for a minute but otherwise, there will be little to no damage done to the nerve.
Is acupuncture safe during first trimester?
Yes. Acupuncture is safe throughout pregnancy but you must inform your practitioner that you are pregnant as there are certain points we must avoid to keep the baby safe (such READ MORE
Yes. Acupuncture is safe throughout pregnancy but you must inform your practitioner that you are pregnant as there are certain points we must avoid to keep the baby safe (such as deep needling of points on the lower abdomen).
Can acupuncture help with hair loss?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating and preventing hair loss.
When should I get acupuncture for fertility?
Typically, you want to give yourself a year to try without any external support. However, you can start acupuncture for firtility whenever you would like! It is also a great supplement READ MORE
Typically, you want to give yourself a year to try without any external support. However, you can start acupuncture for firtility whenever you would like! It is also a great supplement to western fertility treatements such as IUI and IVF.
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for pain?
That depends on how long you have had the pain, why you have it, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan. Generally speaking, the longer a condition has been READ MORE
That depends on how long you have had the pain, why you have it, and your compliance with your practitioner's treatment plan.
Generally speaking, the longer a condition has been in existence, the longer it will take to resolve. If you haven't felt some changes or improvements throughout your body within 5-8 treatments, however, I recommend tyring another practitioner or another style of acupuncture.
Generally speaking, the longer a condition has been in existence, the longer it will take to resolve. If you haven't felt some changes or improvements throughout your body within 5-8 treatments, however, I recommend tyring another practitioner or another style of acupuncture.
How often should you have acupuncture for nerve pain?
That is dependent on the cause of the nerve pain. Generally speaking, however, treatments start at once per week. Once you start feeling lasting improvement, the treatment frequency READ MORE
That is dependent on the cause of the nerve pain. Generally speaking, however, treatments start at once per week. Once you start feeling lasting improvement, the treatment frequency decreases.
Does acupuncture help nerve pain?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating the causes and symptoms of nerve pain.
Does acupuncture get worse before it gets better?
The acupuncture itself should remain unchanged overall. If you are asking if your condition will worsen before it gets better with acupuncture, that is possible with certain conditions. READ MORE
The acupuncture itself should remain unchanged overall. If you are asking if your condition will worsen before it gets better with acupuncture, that is possible with certain conditions. Tell to your acupuncturist what you are feeling and they can better explain if it is a "worse before it's better" situation, and why it's happening.
Can acupuncture help with dermatitis?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating the cause and symptoms of dermatits.
Can acupuncture help with rashes?
Yes. Though the rash itself may be treated using topical herbs or liniments, the cause of the rash can be treated using acupuncture.
Can acupuncture help with neuropathy in the feet?
It can. Acupuncture can treat both the neuropathy due to diabetes, and neuropathy due to damage from injury to the feet or the lower back.
How effective is acupuncture for arthritis?
Very! With regular treatments, acupuncture can help manage and alleviate symptoms, and prevent flare ups.
Can acupuncture detox your liver?
I want to start by saying that liver cleanses (or any cleanse for that matter) are not necessary nor recommended by doctors. As for whether or not acupuncture can dexoify an organ, READ MORE
I want to start by saying that liver cleanses (or any cleanse for that matter) are not necessary nor recommended by doctors. As for whether or not acupuncture can dexoify an organ, the short answer is yes, but not in the way that a "detox tea" may claim to work. What the acupuncture is actually doing is supporting your body's natural ability to detoxify itself.
Can acupuncture help with thyroid problems?
Yes. Acupuncture can treat and alleviate the symptoms of a hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, and conditions like Hashimoto's disease.
Does acupuncture really increase height?
Unfortunately for us shorties, it does not. It can, however, help improve posture which may add an inch or two!
Can acupressure cure thyroid?
Acupressure can be used to help treat a thyroid condition but acupuncture may be more effective.
Does acupuncture work on arthritis?
Yes. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating the causes and symptoms of arthritis.
Is acupuncture effective for hip bursitis?
Yes. That is actually what got me started in acupuncture! I had bursitis in both of my hips and acupuncture cured it for me.
Is there a pressure point to relieve gas?
There are several that can be used but your practitioner must first learn what is causing the gas before they can provide you with the most effective point.
Is Acupuncture good for stomach problems?
Yes. Acupuncture is very helpful in treating conditions throughout the digestive tract.
