David Sokulski, L.Ac.
David Sokulski grew up in Plum Boro, PA (near Monroeville), and earned a degree in Chemistry from Duquesne University. He worked as a chemist for a few years before taking a year off to teach English in Osan City, South Korea.
When he returned from Korea, he attended the New England School of Acupuncture, outside of Boston, MA, where David earned his masters degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
David returned to Pittsburgh in 2000 and opened The Birch Center for Health with wife (and acupuncturist) Melissa Sokulski. We have been in our current South Side location since 2005.
Acupuncture is a treatment of the whole person, and David understands this well. He is a very observant practitioner, listening well to his clients, and treating the whole person. He has treated people with a vast array of conditions, from acute and chronic pain to digestive problems to infertility. (Please see our list of conditions that acupuncture has been proven successful for, from the World Health Organization.) He has treated professional actors, musicians and athletes as well as young children with autistic spectrum disorders.
In addition to Traditional Chinese style needling, David often uses adjunct therapies such as cupping, gua sha and moxibustion when situations call for it (no extra charge for these treatments.) He will often also teach a parent, partner or friend to do these therapies (such as gua sha or moxa), helping people learn to help themselves and each other.
David also has extensive experience with herbal medicine and nutritional supplements. At a patient's request, David is skilled at being able to tweak people's diets in even small ways that show dramatic results in people's health and well-being.
Melissa Sokulski
Melissa Sokulski graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1990.
In 1991, she graduated from Stillpoint School of Massage Therapy, in Hatfield, Massachusetts.
In 1996 Melissa graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture, with a masters degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbology. She creates healing herbal massage oils from wild edible plants which are used in at The Birch Center.
Melissa is also a popular speaker and workshop leader. She has also given lectures and workshops at The East End Food Coop, Gilda's Club of Western PA, University of Massachusetts Nursing School, Penn State at New Kensington and other locations locally and nationally. She was a featured speaker at the Alternatives for Special Kids conference in Orange County, CA. She spoke on Acupuncture for Special Kids and Dietary Treatment for Special Children.
Melissa also writes the Birch Center's blog and newsletters, and publishes articles about many aspects of health and well-being in local and national publications such as The Sun Magazine, Mothering Magazine, Natural News and The Cooperator.
Melissa leads Wild Edibles Walks throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. She has also developed a website devoted entirely to the medicinal and edible uses of wild edible plants: www.FoodUnderFoot.com.
