Raphaël Paul Fratkin

NCCAOM Licensed Acupuncturist • Master of Science in Acupuncture • Acupuncture Sports Medicine Certified • Extraordinary Meridian Pulse Balancing • Sleep Disorders • Tuina Medical Massage

Raphaël specializes in acupuncture sports medicine, Tuina, and sleep disorders. His practice combines traditional Chinese Tuina medical massage techniques, Korean meridian balancing acupuncture, Trigger and Motor Point therapy (Dry Needling), 8 extraordinary meridian pulse balancing, and evidence-based Functional Medicine. 

Outside of clinic, Raphaël is an active outdoor enthusiast with a love for all things nature. He has a background in soccer, with his highest honor awarded in 2011 as a NCAA Men's Soccer Division III National Champion. Raphaël is proud to have dual citizenship in the United States and France and has spent much time in the southeast of France spending time with family, teaching English and playing semi-professional soccer. Raphaël attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and French. Post college, Raphaël realized how much of an influence Chinese Medicine had on his life. His primary care physician and father, Chinese medicine herbalist, acupuncturist and author Jake Fratkin OMD made sure he was rarely sick and the Sports Medicine acupuncturist, Whitfield Reaves OMD tended to his sports injuries throughout his youth and adolescence. Raphaël strongly believes that everyone can find health, vitality and longevity with East Asian Medicine and has committed his life to serving that purpose.

Raphaël graduated from Southwest Acupuncture College with a Master of Science in Acupuncture. Raphaël focused on Sports Acupuncture and worked at CU Boulder treating Division 1 athletes. He also studied under a master of Tuina, practitioner Dr. Li Lu DAOM who graduated from the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Zhejiang, China. Post-graduation he worked in Boulder, Colorado alongside his father, Jake Fratkin. Jake treated internal disorders and Raphaël primarily treated external pain and injury. Raphaël had the opportunity to spend 6 months studying in Chengdu and Kunming China. He apprenticed at the Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, which is known as the first sports medicine hospital in China, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Orthopedic Medicine. Raphaël also studied at a private Tuina Hospital in Chengdu observing the treatment of traumatic injury, such as fractures and dislocations with tuina medical massage and herbal plasters. Raphaël studied acupuncture with Dr. Ma Lei and Tuina with Dr. Wang Chunlin at the Kunming Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Raphaël completed The Acupuncture Sports Medicine Apprenticeship Program with Whitfield Reaves OMD, L.Ac in Oakland, CA and received a certificate of completion in October 2017 on Advanced Training in the Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment of Sports Injuries and Pain. Whitfield Reaves was among the first acupuncturists in North America to specialize in sports acupuncture using anatomically-based assessment with East Asian treatment protocols. For 30 years he has been an instructor and a mentor to other practitioners in the acupuncture profession, helping to define the specialty of Acupuncture Sports Medicine.

I can't believe I am pain free! If you are suffering from severe pain, I can't recommend Raphael and his acupuncture treatments enough. I am an avid runner and had been out of commission for almost 6 months due to re-occurring pain in my right leg and glute. I had tried everything from pain killers to deep tissue massages to chiropractic alignments; nothing would lessen the pain. Just when I had almost given up on being able to run again, a friend recommended Raphael. After just over a month of treatments I am pain free and running again. Still can't believe it. Your treatments have been transformative! THANK YOU SO MUCH, RAPHAEL! - S.B.

Raphael is awesome! I wasn't able to move my neck after pulling it the day before. He made time for me that morning and gave me tuina massage, acupressure, acupuncture with electric stim and cupping in the same session. He is really proficient in several modalities and I felt much better. An amazing resource for our community!- E.K. Germantown, NY

I was recently diagnosed with a form of RA - the pain was debilitating. I started receiving Tuina and acupuncture treatments with Raphael in July and noticed an immediate improvement. My pain is reduced, my range of motion has increased and overall feeling of well-being has improved. I receive treatment every other week and it is amazing the difference it makes. I am getting back to being active in the gym and day to day activities are no longer painful. Acupuncture with Raphael is amazing! - H.L.