Acupuncture For Psoriasis
Acupuncture For Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause raised, scaly patches, itching, irritation, and significant discomfort. Flare-ups may come and go, making the condition particularly frustrating when symptoms interfere with your sleep, confidence, or daily life.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Red or discolored patches covered with scales
Dry, cracked, or irritated skin
Persistent itching or burning
Thickened or affected nails
Symptoms affecting the scalp, elbows, knees, or other areas
Periods when symptoms become more noticeable or uncomfortable
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition and is not contagious. Although it differs from eczema, both conditions can involve chronic itching and inflammation; patients experiencing eczema symptoms can learn more about our acupuncture for eczema approach.
At Pulse Acupuncture, we understand that psoriasis can affect far more than your skin. Our goal is to view your symptoms in the broader context of your health and provide personalized, supportive care.
What causes psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition in which abnormal immune activity contributes to inflammation and accelerated skin cell production, causing skin cells to build up on the surface. Genetics can influence your susceptibility, while certain internal and environmental factors may contribute to flare-ups.
Common psoriasis triggers may include:
Emotional or prolonged stress
Skin injuries or irritation
Infections
Certain medications
Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
Cold or dry weather
Stress is especially important because it can become part of a difficult cycle: psoriasis may increase emotional distress, while stress may contribute to symptom flare-ups. If chronic stress or persistent worry is affecting your well-being, our approach to acupuncture for anxiety offers additional information about supportive care.
From a TCM perspective, psoriasis is evaluated differently from person to person. Depending on your individual presentation, Chinese medicine patterns may involve:
Blood Heat
Blood Dryness
Blood Stasis
Damp-Heat
Wind
These TCM patterns are not Western medicine diagnoses. At Pulse Acupuncture, your psoriasis treatment is personalized rather than based on a single protocol for every patient with psoriasis.
How to stop psoriasis?
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms, control flare-ups, and improve quality of life. Your optimal treatment plan depends on the type and severity of psoriasis, your overall health, and how your condition responds to care.
Western medicine management may include topical medications, phototherapy, systemic medications, or biologic therapies prescribed by a qualified medical professional. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be considered as complementary approaches rather than replacements for necessary dermatologic care.
At Pulse Acupuncture, we focus on the whole person rather than looking only at visible skin symptoms. Depending on your individual needs, your care plan may also incorporate principles of Chinese herbal medicine when clinically appropriate.
Because psoriasis can be chronic and unpredictable, we believe realistic expectations matter. Our goal is to provide individualized care that supports your overall well-being while working alongside the medical care you may already be receiving.
If you are worried about psoriasis, make an appointment with us!
Can acupuncture help psoriasis?
Acupuncture may be used as a complementary approach to support people living with psoriasis, particularly as part of a broader, individualized care plan. It should not be presented as a cure or as a substitute for appropriate care from your dermatologist or other medical provider.
In Chinese medicine, treatment is based on your individual pattern rather than the diagnosis of psoriasis alone. At Pulse Acupuncture, Marina Doktorman, L.Ac., considers your symptoms, flare patterns, health history, stress levels, sleep, and overall well-being when developing your personalized acupuncture treatment.
Your acupuncture sessions may involve carefully selected points based on your individual assessment and TCM pattern. Rather than following the same protocol for every patient, we adapt your care as your symptoms and overall health change.
If chronic psoriasis affects your comfort, confidence, or quality of life, and you are interested in exploring a holistic, complementary approach, schedule a consultation with Marina Doktorman, L.Ac., at Pulse Acupuncture in Clifton, NJ, or Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We can discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and determine whether acupuncture is an appropriate addition to your psoriasis care plan.
Why Pulse Acupuncture?
Experience
Marina Doktorman, L.Ac. has over 20 years of clinical experience.
RELAXATION
At Pulse Acupuncture, we aim to cultivate a spa-like environment.
Comfort
All of our needles are of the highest quality for painless insertion.
Patient Reviews in Brooklyn
PS: The documentary was "Fire at Sea"
I had the pleasure of working with Marina, Laryssa, and Jaesung, and they have all been absolutely amazing. Thanks to this incredible team, I can now sit, drive, walk, sleep comfortably, and function normally again. I truly don’t think I’d be where I am today without their care and expertise.
Pulse Acupuncture has become my go-to place for anything pain-related. The entire team is warm, compassionate, and professional, with outstanding bedside manners.
I highly recommend Pulse Acupuncture to anyone experiencing pain and looking for effective, non-invasive treatment. Truly life-changing! 😊
Marina is very accommodating, kind, and attentive, and her staff is a pleasure to deal with. I highly recommend Pulse.
Acupuncture has truly changed my life and has helped me in ways I didn’t even know were possible.
I started doing acupuncture to balance my hormones after 2 years of unsuccessful fertility treatments. When I started seeing Marina, my periods were starting to be regular and I was dealing with a few different symptoms which we started treating right away (constipation, random headaches, body aches)… in the last 3 years I have not been sick (no flu, have never tested positive for COVID) - Marina even treated me for allergies more than a year ago during an allergy episode in changing seasons.
Also want to mention Larissa as I started seeing her in Marina’s beautiful office and she’s also contributed to my wellness journey. Acupuncture is my favorite wellness practice, I see them regularly and have never felt better. I sometimes just tell them whatever I’m thinking/feeling knowing they will stick some needles in different places of my body and I come out floating and feeling so relaxed.
Excellent service- great results- highly recommended ~!
Marina is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also very calming and has great bedside manners. If you're looking for a fantastic acupuncturist I can't recommend her enough!!
After 10 minutes of the procedure, you get into a different reality. Marina is knowledgeable, answers all the questions. After the procedure, the skin of the face glows, the body becomes lighter by a couple of pounds. I've been looking for such a procedure and state of mind for a long time.
I am beyond grateful to Marina, because after trying so many things, I almost lost hope. highly recommend Pulse Acupuncture and Marina for anyone seeking relief from pain or other health concerns.
The acupuncture sessions themselves are incredibly relaxing and therapeutic. Marina's gentle touch and precise needle placement always leave me feeling calm and rejuvenated. She also incorporates other techniques, such as cupping, which have been very beneficial for my overall health and wellbeing.
In addition to her skill as an acupuncturist, Marina is also a wonderful person to work with. She is warm, friendly, and genuinely cares about her clients' wellbeing. I always leave our sessions feeling refreshed and uplifted, both physically and mentally.
Overall, I highly recommend Pulse Acupuncture and Marina for anyone looking for high-quality acupuncture and personalized care. Thank you, Marina, for your exceptional service and dedication to helping others achieve optimal health!
FAQ about Psoriasis
Is psoriasis an autoimmune disease?
Psoriasis is generally described as an immune-mediated disease. It develops when abnormal immune system activity contributes to inflammation and causes skin cells to be produced much faster than normal, leading to the characteristic plaques and scaling. Genetics and environmental factors can both play a role.
Because psoriasis involves the immune system and can be associated with other health conditions, appropriate medical evaluation and ongoing care are important.
How do you know if you have psoriasis?
Psoriasis can look different depending on its type, location, and your skin tone. Common signs include dry, thick, raised patches of skin, scaling, itching, scalp involvement, and changes to the nails.
These symptoms can resemble eczema and other skin conditions, so appearance alone is not enough to confirm psoriasis. A dermatologist can usually diagnose psoriasis by examining your skin, scalp, and nails and reviewing your symptoms and medical history; occasionally, a skin biopsy may be needed.
What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?
Both eczema and psoriasis can cause chronic inflammation, itching, and visible changes to the skin, but they are different conditions. Psoriasis commonly produces well-defined, thick, scaly plaques and often affects areas such as the scalp, elbows, and knees, while eczema commonly causes intensely itchy, dry or inflamed skin and may appear in different locations depending on the type and age of the patient.
Because the two conditions can sometimes look similar or even occur together, a dermatologist can help establish the correct diagnosis. If you are living with eczema, you can also learn about our acupuncture for eczema approach.
Does acupuncture work for psoriasis?
Acupuncture may be used as a complementary approach to support people living with psoriasis as part of a broader, individualized care plan. However, research specifically examining acupuncture for psoriasis remains limited, and individual responses can vary.
At Pulse Acupuncture, Marina Doktorman, L.Ac., develops acupuncture care based on your health history, symptoms, overall well-being, and individual TCM pattern. Acupuncture is intended to complement—not replace—appropriate dermatologic care, and we encourage patients to continue working with their medical providers when managing psoriasis.
Contact us
Acupuncture therapy at Pulse Acupuncture Practice, at Clifton, NJ and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC offers unique combination of various cupuncture types for healing on all levels: emotional, spiritual and physical by integrating ancient wisdom of energy healing with modern acupuncture techniques.