On June 30,1979, at the age of 10, I got on a horse for the first time. From that moment forward, I knew what I wanted to do in life. I wanted to be a professional with horses. To ride, train, teach, and compete. And I did. I even got up to the first level of international competition in Eventing, which is like a horse triathlon. But fate had other plans for me…….

I was sickly as a child. I had strep throat at the age of 6 months and continued to get it at least twice a year throughout my childhood. That led to many, many doses of antibiotics, which lead to other issues . By the time I was 18, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your large intestines leading to severe pain, diarrhea, blood, mucous, all that icky stuff. I was treated for it and even though most of my symptoms still abounded, I ignored them. Even though I was totally excellent at ignoring my health issues and pushing through my symptoms, I inherently knew that I couldn’t keep up the physical work required to be a horse professional. Then, when I was 25, my horse, my horsey soul mate, died suddenly. I was devastated, and I decided I was going to be a horse vet and save all the horses!

I spent the next two years taking the prerequisites before applying for veterinary school at Kansas State University. The dean told me I missed getting in by just one person! I would surely get in the next year. But I actually felt relieved. Being a veterinarian just wasn’t the right fit. I considered medical school or getting my Masters-PhD in clinical psychology, but there was something missing there too. Lost, I moved to Asheville, NC. While there, I got very sick again. This time, not only had the Colitis become a bigger issue, but also anxiety and depression (that I didn’t even know were related) started to come up. At one point, I had such bad anxiety, for hours at a time; I was literally living under my bed.

I remember the first time a friend suggested acupuncture for my issues. My response? “Yeah, right, like that woo-woo Chinese BS is going to do anything! Sticking needles in me, yah right, THAT will help me with my issues!” But finally I got desperate enough; I was willing to give it a go. After all, it couldn’t hurt, right?

My first practitioner kept reiterating how very, very sick I was. I didn’t believe her. She saw me weekly for a very long time and even though I didn’t think it was doing much at first, I kept coming back. I somehow knew it was helping. And slowly, over time, it did. More than anything, it put me into remission with the Colitis. And it helped me with ankle pain I had whenever I rode.

Soon I realized that I had found my calling, my Tao. I quit my day job and became an assistant at the big acupuncture clinic where I was treated. The acupuncturists helped me to figure out the best school for me, and I started at TAI (Now Maryland University of Integrative Health) in September of 2000.

But my story isn’t over. Because a year and a half into my 3.5 year master’s degree, I hit a wall. I was working at a big barn teaching, riding, training, 35-50 hours per week AND in grad school full time. I collapsed. I thought I was just “depressed and lazy” and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t just “get it together” and get back to work. I just couldn’t.

I graduated and started my practice in September of 2003. And it took me another 8 years of misdiagnosis by both the alternative world and western world before my true issues were discovered. Through a horse client, I was referred to one of the best rheumatologists in the state and I was finally diagnosed properly. It turns out that Ulcerative Colitis is a very complicated disease. There are several “extra” autoimmune diseases that can go with it, and I had 3 of them. Finally I got the support and treatments I needed to be well. I takes a village to keep me healthy!

I love how I can help people in ways no one was able to help me. I love how, through my acupuncture training and years of experience, I can bring down pain, help bring up energy, and get people the real, long-term plan they need in order to heal. I feel lucky that through my own journey I have been able to create many, many connections with other providers, and I have learned many alternative ways to heal. My patients don’t have to go through what I went through!

I’m excited that you are thinking of coming to me! After 14 years of private practice, I can likely help you with acupuncture, lifestyle changes, and Chinese Herbs. We will work together to help you to heal. And, if you need further help, more support, or a different kind of support than I can give, I have the resources to get you the help you need.

On June 30,1979, at the age of 10, I got on a horse for the first time. From that moment forward,... Read More

I’m Dr. Brittny Richardson, but you can call me Dr. B., a Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. My clinical work primarily centers on chronic pain and musculoskeletal concerns, and I specialize in cosmetic acupuncture and facial rejuvenation. Whether I am addressing pain or changes in the face and skin, I look beyond the most visible symptom to understand the broader patterns influencing how the body feels, functions, and recovers.

My connection to natural medicine began long before I understood it as a profession. I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where myself and my grandmother tended a half-acre garden every summer. We grew watermelons, cabbage, green beans, corn, tomatoes and all sorts of vegetables. Then every fall after harvest canned tomatoes, preserved cucumbers, and made jam that carried us through winter and spring. From her, I learned that nourishment is seasonal, food can be medicine, and caring for the body is an ongoing relationship rather than a response reserved for when something goes wrong.

As the oldest daughter, only sister, and eldest grandchild, I naturally became a caretaker and guide. But I also learned to be a trailblazer and cycle breaker. I was always inquisitive but with a strong independent mind. I value the wisdom I inherited, while recognizing that not every pattern deserves to be carried forward. That tension between honoring tradition and creating something new has shaped the healer, teacher, and woman I have become.

As adulthood grew louder with responsibilities, bills, exhaustion, and the unpredictability of working in the airline industry, I gradually lost the rhythms that once grounded me. By 2020, I realized that my life had moved far from the habits and values I had formed during childhood. More importantly, I began to understand that the fatigue I experienced wasn’t my body failing me. It was overloaded, undernourished, and unheard.

That realization grew from a self-discovery journey I had begun around 2012, when I developed and formulated a line of natural cosmetic skincare products. In 2017, I expanded to creating and selling intentional artwork made with crystals, and by 2019, I had studied sound therapy and Reiki. That work deepened my understanding of how sensory experiences, reflection, and the environments we create can influence how we feel. I eventually opened my first wellness office, combining Reiki with light and sound therapy to help people explore self-limiting beliefs and ask a deceptively simple question: “Who am I authentically?”

The work was meaningful, but I sensed that something was missing. Subtle practices can be difficult to access when someone is already overwhelmed by stress, pain, and the constant noise of daily life. I wanted a more tangible way to help people reconnect with their bodies. Often, pain was the signal that finally demanded their attention.

That search led me to acupuncture in 2020. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, I found the language I had been looking for: a framework that recognizes the connections among physical symptoms, emotions, daily habits, nourishment, and the environments in which we live. It gave me a way to translate patterns into practical care. I knew I had struck gold.

I earned my Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Oriental Medicine degrees from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, followed by a Doctorate in Acupuncture with a specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science. I have also completed advanced training in facial acupuncture and microneedling.

Today, my goal is not to silence the body’s signals or help someone simply turn back time. I want patients to understand what their bodies may be asking for. This philosophy also guides my approach to cosmetic acupuncture. I do not view the face or skin in isolation, but as part of a larger story involving circulation, muscle tone, stress, sleep, nourishment, and overall health.

Outside the treatment room, I stay connected to creativity through gemstone-inspired wall art and journaling. I enjoy hosting gatherings that allow people to connect meaningfully and traveling in ways that immerse me in culture, nature, and new perspectives. Music is a constant in my life, especially hip hop, neo soul, R&B, lofi, and piano covers. Seasonal rhythms and simple spiritual practices continue to help me feel grounded, reflective, and connected to the life I am intentionally creating.

What I value most about this work is being able to offer patients the kind of care I once needed: a place where their symptoms are taken seriously, their experiences are heard, and the larger story is not overlooked. If you are living with chronic pain, struggling to understand what your body is communicating, or seeking a more natural approach to facial rejuvenation, I will work with you to develop care that reflects your concerns, goals, and response to treatment.

When you book with me, you can expect thoughtful questions, individualized acupuncture, clear explanations, and a collaborative plan for moving forward. I will not promise a quick fix or force your experience into a standard protocol. My role is to help you better understand your patterns, support meaningful change, and be honest when your needs require additional or different care. You don’t have to figure out every next step alone.

I’m Dr. Brittny Richardson, but you can call me Dr. B., a Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Ac... Read More

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All too often, people struggling with chronic pain feel they have no choice but to resort to traditional Western pain management, which can be inefficient or even dangerous over time. I know too many who unfortunately fall into this category, including members of my own family. When my mother developed orthopedic problems due to her many years of service with the military, plus fought battles with both thyroid and breast cancer, she was limited on her options for relief. So in my desire to help her and others who have similar conditions, I turned to more holistic possibilities and settled on massage therapy. I graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage (now the Cortiva Institute) in 2015, but haven’t stopped learning new ways to more effectively treat my clients, either through reading a multitude of textbooks or attending continuing education classes. I have spent years performing specialized massage on the wearied travelers who pass through Baltimore Washington Airport, and sometimes volunteer my abilities and time to the local community, such as to the nurses and staff at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Through offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, and various other spa techniques, I strive to not only alleviate my clients’ discomfort but also heighten the mind-body awareness relating to their own bodies’ self-inclination towards homeostasis and balance. Additionally, I have been certified in pediatric massage, including (but not limited to) children with cerebral palsy, trauma, autism, and/or palliative care. Whatever your specific needs or goals may be, I look forward to joining you on your wellness journey.

All too often, people struggling with chronic pain feel they have no choice but to resort to trad... Read More

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