Be Well Blog

New Acupuncturist

Raphel Labelson

Licensed Acupuncturist

Why I Do What I Do

By the time I turned 16 years old, I had already torn both of my ACL’s (Anterior Cruciate Ligaments) playing sports.  I spent 2 consecutive summers rehabbing my knees which ultimately got me interested into rehabilitation and medicine. 

I attended the University of Delaware as a Biology major.  While there I took a class on Eastern Philosophy, which introduced me to “The Dao” (The Way).  The Dao speaks of going with Nature not against it.  Eat foods that are grown locally and in season to get the most out of Natures Qi (energy).  On the East coast we have four seasons all which produce different types of energies.  Spring is the season of growth and rejuvenation and the fall is the time we harvest our foods.  The winter is hibernation when we should rest more, wear warmer clothes and eat spicier foods to keep us warm.  As I read and learned more about Eastern Philosophy it made a lot of sense to me. 

This inspired me to go to South Baylo University in Anaheim California to study Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.  One of the greatest things I learned was this:  we live in a micro-cosm of a greater macro-cosm which is the Universe which we have no control over.  So just go with the flow and try not to fight it to live a longer and healthier life.  I view acupuncture as an extension of this philosophy.  But improving one’s body’s energy flow I’m also helping them to remain balanced and fluid in the flow of life.

Education

A certified Acupuncturist in New York State and Connecticut, Raphel has been practicing acupuncture since 2000 in Manhattan, Westchester and now in the Stamford/Greenwich area.  He received his B.A in Biology from the University of Delaware and pursued further studies at South Baylo University in Anaheim, California graduating with a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and a B.S. in Holistic Science, with honors.

Accepted Insurances

HealthNet, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oxford, Aetna, United health Care, No Fault, Worker’s Compensation

Ginger Gagliardo, LMT

Massage Therapist

Why I Do What I Do 
 

I suppose massage therapy was always in my system waiting to be discovered.  Throughout my adult life I had jobs working with young children.  Providing children the nurturing attention they need came quite naturally to me.  Later on, I was employed as a fitness instructor in an all-women’s gym.  Like my previous jobs with children, I loved giving personal attention and care that promoted wellbeing.  In my heart though, I wanted to take that experience, working with people physically while also being emotionally open and supportive, to a deeper level.  Massage therapy was the perfect solution.  
     

I can honestly say that in practicing massage therapy, I have found my passion.  Through it I can express my “gift of giving” while my clients, with trust and comfort, experience the “gift of receiving.”  My clients know that I sincerely care about their situations.  For me, massage therapy involves a skilled touch, an open heart, and a knowing empathy that addresses physical ailments along with the emotional life behind them.   Working with people is one of the most rewarding things that I do in my life.  I enjoy sharing a comfort zone that allows my client and me to connect on many special levels.  
 

My son, Brett, who will be a junior in college this September, is my biggest supporter.  He too sees the pride I have for my profession and the energy I put into my work.  I find there are opportunities to be found everywhere, every day of life.  I am so thankful that my life has been blessed with many open doors and I continue to walk through each and every one of them.

EDUCATION:
I am a 2005 graduate from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, in Westport, CT.  My practice includes Swedish, deep tissue and Pre-natal massage.  I am also trained to do hot stone, myofascial and trigger point therapy.

I continue my education by attending various workshops.  I also assist courses and tutor students in their first term at C.C.M.T., in addition to working “Discovery Workshops,” which are offered to potential new students.

I am Connecticut licensed and nationally certified, an active member with the American Massage Therapy Association, with inclusion as a lifetime member in the Cambridge Who’s Who registry of Executives, Professionals and entrepreneurs.

Valerie Giglio, LMFT Holistic Psychotherapist

Why I Do What I Do

“As a teenager I had the opportunity to work with children suffering with neuro-atypical disorder (autism).  I was struck by the isolation and profound "inner-aloneness" that these neuro-atypical children seemed to experience.  I learned that I may not be able to radically change their symptoms, but I hoped to positively affect their separateness from our world by being willing to meet them within their world.  Through this work I discovered my love for the art of healing.

My work as a therapist is driven in essence by that same desire to alleviate the emotional wounds of separateness and aloneness that are simply part of the human experience.  My intention is to guide clients toward self-empowerment and emotional freedom by helping them identify limiting, fear-based beliefs that keep them from becoming more fully acquainted with their eternal, authentic self.

In my practice we use personal history to shed light on current misconceptions of one’s self and current struggles, but the main focus is on the NOW where all life and healing take place.  Loving and self-care begin only when we change our habits and thoughts in each moment.  My goal is for clients to leave each session with practical tools they can put to work immediately, rather than simply lingering on personal history.

Kim Bass, OTR/L Yoga Therapist

Why I Do What I Do

“The first time I did yoga I cried.  It was exactly what I needed in my life, a therapeutic practice that provided an emotional and physical connection.  I felt more alive, energized and grounded all at the same time.  That was 15 years ago and I still feel the same way. 

However, when I first started I became injured and realized I was doing yoga incorrectly.  Injuries kept coming up but they inspired me to do some research that resulted in an integration of my knowledge as a registered occupational therapist and the yoga I was practicing.  I then embarked upon years of intense yoga-teacher instruction from various mentors who have studied under John Friend, the founder of Anusaura Yoga and “intelligent vinyasa,” which integrates the breath based rhythm and flow of asanas.  I then combined that knowledge with the therapeutic benefits of healthy precision and solid alignment.

Dr. Donielle Wilson, ND

Naturopathic Family Practice

Why I Do What I Do

Today I met with a patient with an all too familiar story.   For 10 years she’s suffered persistent and worsening symptoms, visiting doctor after doctor, only to be told that everything is “normal.” 

You might ask, “How can it be that a medical professional would send someone home to continue suffering with no further concern, not to mention curiosity, as to what was at the root of her symptoms?”

I believe this occurs for two reasons.  One is that the body is really good at compensating and keeping things "normal" in the blood while the other parts of the body are ailing, which is why blood test results often come back "within the normal range" even when the patient feels terrible.  The second reason is that conventional medical training focuses on the extreme of medical conditions.  This means that for someone whose

C. Evers Whyte, MS, DC, DACBN

Non-Surgical Spine Specialist
Clinical Nutritionist

Why I Do What I Do

In college, I took up martial arts and while I was training, I stepped in some gymnasts’ chalk as I was throwing a kick.  I slipped and flew about 5 ft up in the air before landing flat on my sacrum on the wooden gym floor.  The pain in my low back was intense and continued to worsen until I was taking 25 Advil just to get through the day.  The stronger pain drugs made me sick.  I stopped exercising because of the pain and gained 20 lbs. After visiting 3 chiropractors, an orthopedist, a neurologist, a rheumatologist, and a neurosurgeon I always ended up with the same result:  “We can’t find anything Physically wrong with you.”  Obviously, my pain itself was not enough to convince these physicians that something was indeed seriously wrong.