Former Photojournalist Founds Acupuncture Practice in Dobbs Ferry

Since its beginnings in China thousands of years ago, acupuncture has been practiced in various ways in different countries. At Rivertown Acupuncture,founder Randi Hoffmann relies on and often integrates commonly practiced acupuncture procedures such as Acupuncture Physical Medicine, Kiiko Matsumoto and Japanese Meridian, esoteric acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

Hoffmann treats a wide range of conditions—among them are: sciatica, back and other muscular pain, gastro-intenstinal problems and feelings of anxiety and stress. She is also certified as a practioner for the facial rejuvenation acupuncture techniques developed by Virginia Doran, a pioneer in this field.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is a cosmetic technique for taking years off a person's appearance; it is offered as an alternate to plastic surgery.

An acupuncture treatment usually runs 60 to 90 minutes depending on the disorder being treated.

"There are many tools available in our toolbox," Hoffmann said. "In addition to needles, I use diode rings for electrical stimulation, magnets, tuning forks, vibration and sound for relaxation."

Hoffman grew up on her parents' horse farm in Naperville, Illinois, came to New York City to attend Columbia University and stayed following graduation.

She became a photojournalist and spent 15 dangerous months in Iran working for UPI. She took up movie making and her documentaries have appeared on television and at theaters; shorts she directed have been shown at the Berlin and Munich Film Festivals.

But when her sister died at the age of 48, Hoffman reassessed her life and decided to pursue a new career. This wasn't easy because at the same time she was raising her own three sons and her sister's two boys.

Hoffmann worked with psychiatric and traumatized teenagers at Westchester Medical Center and Cedar Knolls–Linden Hill in Hawthorne, NY, for more than 12 years, using video and art as therapeutic tools.

Rivertown Acupuncture opens in Dobbs Ferry

A resident of Ardsley for 18 years, she conducted her acupuncture practice at home until a few months ago when she stopped one day for coffee at Cafe Latte in Dobbs Ferry. She noticed a "For Rent" sign at a storefront across the street and rented the space.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from Columbia University in the City of New York, a Certificate of Herbal Studies from Flynn’s School of Herbology in New York City and a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City. She was an acupuncture intern at Integrative Medical Group in New York City.

Appointments can be booked online for Monday (afternoon only) and Tuesday through Thursday. For availability of Friday and Saturday appointments, call 914-674-4003 or visit website www.rivertownacupuncture.com

Rivertown Acupuncture is located at 60 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY. 914-674-4003.