Acupuncture & Integrative Health by Dr. Ruthann Russo

Hi! I am Dr. Ruthann Russo. Through the ancient wisdom of acupuncture and modern evidence-based integrative health practices, I provide care that reconnects you to your innate capacity to heal. My approach is soul-centered and deeply respectful of you and your goals for health and healing.

I have 20+ years of experience working in hospitals and healthcare systems and have provided care to patients at Mount Sinai Health, NYULangone, Bronx Recovery Center, Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, and Hackensack Meridian Health.

I am deeply passionate about recognizing health and healthcare as a right, not a privilege. As a result, some of my acupuncture work in New York City was in community settings, where patients could receive care at a very reasonable cost.  When I moved to New Jersey, I was drawn to the Zen Den of NJ, a serene and welcoming space rooted in the same values I hold: justice, community, and whole-person healing. It’s now where I offer acupuncture in partnership with a team equally devoted to meaningful care.

I work closely with you to create treatment plans that meet your goals, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities such as acupuncture, tui na, and qi gong combined with integrative practices you learn and then  “take home” to manage your care after the treatment.  Take-home treatments vary depending on your needs, but may include acupressure, ear seeds, goals set during coaching, imagery, nutrition recommendations, or yoga nidra practices.

I am also passionate about the role that nature plays in our health. I have created programs that explore the relationship among health equity, the indigenous science of permaculture, and integrative health practices. You can listen to one of those talks here.

My clinical qualifications include a Doctorate in Acupuncture (DAc) from Pacific College of Health Sciences and a PhD in Integrative and Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University. I am nationally triple board-certified in Acupuncture, Lifestyle Medicine, and Health Coaching and earned certifications in Interactive Guided Imagery®, Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling, Yoga, Yoga Nidra teacher training, Acupuncture for Cancer Patients, Acupuncture for Detoxification, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and HeartMath Biofeedback.

Before becoming a healthcare provider, I was a healthcare attorney.  About 20 years ago, I was inspired to change my career path when my teenage daughter’s neurologist at NYULangone Medical Center recommended adding acupuncture and integrative practices to the treatment plan that helped control her seizures. My first job in acupuncture was at NYULangone treating patients and their families during inpatient stays on the Epilepsy Unit of the hospital.  Today, I treat many conditions including stress, chronic pain, facial rejuvenation. Read more about the conditions acupuncture can treat.

I live in Asbury Park, NJ, with my husband, Joe, and Gio, our rescue dog.  I am grateful to live between the ocean and luscious parks. My favorite hobbies are reading and learning, yoga, walking with Gio, and spending time in nature.