East-West Integrative Medicine & Rheumatology

07/29/2026

We invite you to join us for a one-day wellness retreat on a 10 acre thriving food forest located in Bowie, MD, on September 19th from 10am-430pm

🚗Our modern, harried lives have produced mental and physical disarray. Perhaps the greatest assault upon our bodies and souls comes from what we have moved away from, both mentally and physically: nature. We watch screens, not sunsets. We walk on paved sidewalks instead of forests. We breathe the air filled with hydrocarbons, instead of the air of trees.

🌿 Join us for a nourishing day of anchoring our monkey minds with meditative movement and slowing down to reconnect to nature in its fullest vibrancy, within a thriving 10-acre food forest.

This retreat is an invitation: turn off the screens and be one with nature (which is only separate from yourself in your mind), and engage in practices that restore our fractured state to the primordial unity.

Register before August 19th for early bird pricing.

🌿 What to expect:
✨ Mindful Movement: Guided meditation and Qigong.
🍲 Communal Lunch: Shared nourishment and gratitude
🌳 Nature Walks: learn about how the vibrant ecosystem in Bowie, MD came to be
🌱 Herbal Wisdom: Plant medicine wisdom.
💆 Healing Sessions: Community acupuncture and bodywork.
Register before August 19th to take advantage of our early bird pricing and click the link for more information:

One-day Retreat at Forested in Bowie, MD: Meditation, Qigong, acupuncture, nature walk, and lunch provided by Arman Milanian of Dandelion Foodscapes.

06/11/2026

Looking for a non-surgical, less invasive treatment for chronic joint or ligament pain?

Prolotherapy is an injection-based treatment designed to stimulate cellular growth and trigger the body's own natural healing response. It helps to strengthen and repair injured or weakened ligaments, tendons, and joints that contribute to ongoing pain and instability.

Benefits of prolotherapy include:
✔️ Reduced pain and inflammation
✔️ Improved joint stability
✔️ Enhanced mobility and function
✔️ Support for long-term tissue healing
✔️ Minimally invasive alternative to surgery

At East-West Rheumatology, Dr. Zarbalian takes a comprehensive approach toward managing musculoskeletal pain. He uses prolotherapy as an effective modality for patients experiencing conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, tendon pain, or chronic joint discomfort.

Every patient is unique and Dr. Zarbalian's treatment recommendations are based on thorough evaluations of his patient's symptoms, medical history, and personal health goals.

Interested in learning more about prolotherapy? Check out our blog below:
https://eastwestmd.com/restore-whats-worn-rebuild-whats-weak-renew-whats-possible/

05/01/2026

May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) Awareness Month. Are you or someone you love living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS)?

Beyond making a diagnosis, Dr. Zarbalian's approach is unique in that we focus on improving quality of life using a personalized approach that includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, medications, and lifestyle change (including diet and mind-body medicine). No person with Hypermobile EDS is experiencing the exact same symptoms and each person has a unique physiologic profile.

At East-West Rheumatology, our focus is to listen, evaluate, and guide you with personalized medicine. If you’ve been struggling with joint pain, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, MCAS, in tandem with hypermobility, know that there is support and we are here to help you begin your journey toward better health.

For more information on our clinic, click the link below:

https://eastwestmd.com/about/

04/30/2026

Dr. Yousef Zarbalian recently attended the annual American Academy of Medical Acupuncture conference with hundreds of other physicians around the country who integrate medical acupuncture within their medical practice.

The Pre-Symposium Mastery of Medical Acupuncture workshop lead by Francisco Lozano, MD was a highlight of the conference. Dr. Lozano is a western-trained physician who spent years in China and Japan after completing his allopathic medical education. He is Professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Moxibustion at the School of Medicine of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in Mexico City, where acupuncture training is being integrated into postgraduate training for physicians.
The purpose of Dr. Lozano's workshop : refine diagnostic accuracy and broaden our range of effective clinical procedures as well as exploring a wide range of specialized acupuncture technique. This included fire needle, point injection therapy, catgut embedding, long-needle methods, acupotomology (knife-needle techniques), fascia- and collateral-channel–based needling, and others.

04/21/2026

Allergy season doesn’t have to mean constant sneezing and congestion. Acupuncture can help support your immune system, reduce inflammation, and ease symptoms like sinus pressure and itchy eyes naturally.
Nevin Turk, LAC has found that many patients who regularly have acupuncture sessions notice improvement in breathing easier and feel more balanced during peak allergy months. 🌿
If seasonal allergies slow you down every year, it might be worth trying a different approach.

Clink the link below for more information about our clinic:

https://eastwestmd.com/

04/03/2026

Dr. Zarbalian recently attended a 2-day Chinese herbal medicine seminar led by Dr. Mazin Al-Khafaji, a master herbalist and recognized as one of the leading clinicians and teachers in the field of dermatology and Chinese medicine.
The focus of the seminar was on Eczema and Rheumatoid Arthritis – two increasingly prevalent and complex conditions – through the refined lens of Chinese medicine. We are pleased to incorporate these new insights into our clinical approach to further enhance integrative care for rheumatologic conditions.
By incorporating these practices, targeted herbal prescriptions can reduce arthritic pain, swelling, and stiffness while regulating inflammation and supporting immune balance—ultimately improving quality of life.

Whether you’re curious or ready to dive deeper into holistic healing, herbal medicine offers a gentle yet powerful way to reconnect with your well-being. Click the link below to learn more and make an appointment:
https://eastwestmd.com/about/

10/22/2025

Unlocking the Healing Potential of Acupuncture in Conjunction with Western Medicine:
"When it comes to our health, the fusion of Eastern and Western approaches opens doors to a holistic medical solution. “Acupuncture first” is not just a catchphrase; it’s a paradigm shift that challenges the traditional norms of immediate aggressive interventions in Western medicine."

To learn more, click the link below:

Unlocking the Healing Potential of Acupuncture in Conjunction with Western Medicine When it comes to our health, the fusion of Eastern and Western approaches opens doors to a holistic medical solution. “Acupuncture first” is not just a catchphrase; it’s a paradigm shift that challenges the tra...

10/15/2025

What is Microneedling?

Ever wondered how celebrities maintain their flawless skin? The secret might just be microneedling, a revolutionary skin rejuvenation technique that’s been creating waves in the beauty industry. But what exactly is it, and why is it so popular? Let’s dive in.

Click the link below to learn more about the benefits of Microneedling which is provided by Nevin Turk, LAc at East-West Rheumatology:

Ever wondered how celebrities maintain their flawless skin? The secret might just be microneedling, a revolutionary skin rejuvenation ....