James F. Garofalo L.Ac. is dedicated to offering Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine services to the Finger Lakes region, blending his diverse background in military service, fitness coaching, and holistic medicine. His journey culminated in his 2020 graduation from the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, following two decades of immersion in Chinese language, culture, history, and medicine.
Hailing from the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, James embarked on a path of service after high school, enlisting in the United States Air Force. During his 11-year military career, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, James served as a Cryptologic Linguist while simultaneously pursuing his passion for fitness. He became a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, distinguishing himself as a Physical Training Leader and Unit Fitness Program Manager.
After an honorable discharge in 2011, James utilized the Post 9/11 GI Bill to earn an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Ithaca College. During his studies, he honed his coaching skills, developing strength and conditioning programs for collegiate athletes and coaching at CrossFit Omaha (Omaha, NE) and CrossFit Pallas (Ithaca, NY). Recognizing the natural convergence of Chinese language studies and Exercise Science, James embarked on his journey into Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Completing over 4,000 hours of classroom and practical instruction, James graduated with a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2020, earning his license to practice acupuncture (L.Ac.) in New York State. Committed to an integrative approach to wellness, James combines modern training methods with traditional Nourishing Life practices, using the lenses of Chinese and East Asian Medicine to identify, diagnose, and treat patterns of disharmony and disease.
In 2023, James attained board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and holds the designation of Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M. NCCAOM). He has also been studying in the Energy Arts System of Bruce Frantzis since 2016 and became certified to instruct Foundational Qi Gong in 2023.
