Lauren founded South Philly Community Acupuncture in 2007 with the aim to offer affordable and comprehensive health care to her community. Although she enjoys treating a variety of common conditions, Lauren takes a special interest in gynecology, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum care.
Lauren is nationally certified with NCCAOM and holds state licensure in Pennsylvania and Delaware. She completed a B.S. in Community Health Education from the University of Arizona in 1997 and a four-year M.Sc. in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California in 2002. Her postgraduate internship was at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu, China in 2003 where she focused on Orthopedics and OB/GYN.
In 2004 Lauren moved to Hong Kong and continued learning different traditional medicines. She was able to travel extensively throughout Southeast Asia, China, Tibet, Nepal and India. She attended the Yoga Vidya Dham in Nasik, India to become a certified yoga instructor before returning to the United States.
Lauren resides in South Philadelphia with her husband and five sons.
Lauren founded South Philly Community Acupuncture in 2007 with the aim to offer affordable and co...
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Carly Brand is an energetic healer who utilizes Myofascial Release techniques and combines her own intuitive approach to facilitate releasing patterns of the fascial system due to trauma and stress. The fascia is able to let go and release areas of long held tension. This relieves pain, allows more movement and provides more clarity and joy in your life.
Her training with John Barnes, the creator of Myofascial Release, and many years of physical therapy experience has all given her the understanding that the mind, body, and spirit are not separate. They must be treated as a whole so that your own body’s wisdom can allow healing to occur and bring one back to a more harmonious balanced state of being. Carly also spends time as a musician and sound healer.
Carly Brand is an energetic healer who utilizes Myofascial Release techniques and combines her ow...
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Hannah’s holistic approach to healing includes being with the mind, body, and spirit. Hannah experienced healing herself after working with the Somatic Method, Hakomi. Hannah combined her yoga practice with somatic therapy to deepen the relationship with herself. After completing her training with the Hakomi Institute of California, she began her licensure process with Naropa University.
Hannah’s holistic approach to healing includes being with the mind, body, and spirit. Hannah expe...
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Richie Parrella is a Somatic Therapist, Certified yoga teacher, Reiki Master and sound healer trained in Prana yoga, based in the lineages of Kundalini and Tantra yoga and Ayurveda in the lineage of Dr. Vasant Lad. He facilitates sessions, classes, and groups with the intention to create a safe space for others to explore their inner experience, create transformation, as well as reduce stress, anxiety, and support the allowing of the body, mind, and spirit’s natural ability to heal. His teachings are rich in yogic philosophy, breath work, and mindfulness.
Through his journey with Ayurveda, Yoga, Tantra, and Somatic therapy, he has come to learn that the body, mind and spirit are intrinsically connected, and must be treated as such, to achieve optimal health, and to support in self realization, and transformation.
Richie currently sees private clients over zoom, as well as in person in Princeton and Langhorne, PA. He also leads gentle yoga classes, meditations, and sound healings with his partner, Kyrie. He is one of co-creators of the Celebrate All People Organization. His life is given to supporting others in transformation to higher states of balance in nature and consciousness, where real freedom can be attained.
Richie Parrella is a Somatic Therapist, Certified yoga teacher, Reiki Master and sound healer tra...
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Dr. Brittany Wetzel, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM is nationally certified by NCCAOM and is a licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Herbalist in the states of Pennsylvania and Illinois. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington in 2012 and completed a 4-year doctoral program at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago in 2020. After a recent move to Philadelphia, she is excited to join the Philly acupuncture community! Brittany has a particular interest in women’s health, helping patients in their health journeys with menstrual disorders, reproductive health, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond! She has also gained experience in treating musculoskeletal pain and injuries, chronic pain, headaches/migraines, emotional health, digestive imbalances, insomnia, neurological disorders and more!
In her practice, Brittany utilizes modalities such as acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, electrical stimulation and Chinese herbal medicine. She is passionate about empowering her patients to connect with themselves and play an active role in their own health and healing. She believes Chinese medicine is a beautiful way to help initiate the body’s innate healing abilities and facilitate connection with our mind, body and spirit.
Dr. Brittany Wetzel, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM is nationally certified by NCCAOM and is a licensed Ac...
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Nathan Dawley, LMT, weaves together his experience as a yoga and fitness instructor since 2009, and
his time exploring movement as a dancer and martial artist, into a comprehensive perspective on human
bodies. This informs his approach to assisting release and relaxation through bodywork and massage.
Inspired and informed by the principles of Tai Chi and Contact Improvisation, Nathan Dawley uses a
touch-sensitivity based approach combined with an emphasis on the concept of tensegrity in human
beings: the interconnected structural dance between fascia, muscles, tendons and bones offers holistic
perspective that informs his technique.
Nathan Dawley, LMT, weaves together his experience as a yoga and fitness instructor since 2009, a...
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Kim, 200 HR RYT, Reiki II practitioner, compelled to empower others in the innate ability to heal themselves, created offerings in South Jersey since 2019. Kim has led various modalities such as meditation, yoga, breathwork, primal scream, energy work, ecstatic dance, and various workshop gatherings. Through their journey with intuitive energy work, Kim has embodied an offering of love and support to those that experience these gatherings. With mindfulness practices and compassionate acceptance, they hope to empower others in experiencing inner awareness and wellness.
Kim, 200 HR RYT, Reiki II practitioner, compelled to empower others in the innate ability to heal...
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Justine Pileggi is a licensed acupuncturist proudly serving Philadelphia and its surrounding communities since 2016. Within her practice she skillfully utilizes modalities such as acupuncture, including trigger point and dry needling techniques, electrical stimulation, cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion. She is also happy to provide knowledgeable lifestyle, dietary, herbal, and supplement recommendations for optimal health cultivation. Justine has had the ability to gain much experience with treating a variety of health conditions, including musculoskeletal pain and injuries, digestive imbalances, fertility challenges, menstrual disorders, headaches, migraines, insomnia, and more. Working within the holistic health model, Justine always aims to treat the whole person, while also being supportive of an integrative medical approach. Believing wholeheartedly in the versatility of acupuncture as a safe and gentle yet impactful medicine, in its role in maintaining wellness, and in its profound ability to empower the body to heal more efficiently, she welcomes you to discover how acupuncture can help you!
Justine Pileggi is a licensed acupuncturist proudly serving Philadelphia and its surrounding comm...
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Rebecca Katz is a dedicated acupuncture practitioner with firsthand experience navigating chronic health conditions since childhood. Her journey fuels a deep commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable healthcare environments.
Endorsed by her instructors and supervisors for her exceptional intuition and sensitivity, Rebecca approaches each client with profound care, embodying the spirit of compassion and dedication to alleviating suffering and improving lives.
Central to Rebecca’s practice is trauma-informed care, mental health, emotional regulation, and addiction support. With training in acupuncture physical medicine, she treats chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological disorders, GI issues, reproductive wellness, and more, offering versatile and compassionate healing solutions.
Join her on a journey towards holistic well-being, where every individual’s uniqueness is celebrated and supported.
Healing Modalities Offered:
Acupuncture
Cupping
Gua Sha
Rebecca Katz is a dedicated acupuncture practitioner with firsthand experience navigating chronic...
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