Vivacity Healthcare was founded by Dr. Margie Navarro to help individuals meet their wellness goals and live more vibrantly.

Education

My journey in holistic health began in 1999 when I learned about personal fitness and nutrition as cost-effective means to maintain health. This led to pre-med undergraduate academics, a nutrition-based Health Educator certification from Hippocrates Health Institute, and extracurricular studies in meditation and martial arts. Inspired by the work of Dr. Mutulu Shakur bringing acupuncture to underserved communities in NYC, I entered a master’s program to incorporate Traditional East Asian Medicine as the pinnacle of my foundation in nutrition and functional movement.

At Tri-State College of Acupuncture, I studied primarily French-Vietnamese approaches (incorporating myofascial trigger-point release or the foundation of ‘dry needling’) as taught by Dr. Mark Seem. I also studied intensively with Kiiko Matsumoto to learn her signature style of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion that I apply for immune modulation, digestive support, and other chronic conditions [more about these lineages]. My thesis project, culminated in 2011, explored various acupuncture approaches to anxiety and depression spectrum conditions. After completing over 700 hours in advanced Herbal Medicine studies at Pacific College of Health and Science to become nationally certified in herbology, I now partner with growers and compounders to create custom ‘Vivacitea‘ formulas. I earned a research doctorate investigating group acupuncture for psychedelic ketamine experience integration.

I am continually educating myself on the history and development of acupuncture, as well as conducting research in addition to my clinical practice. Avidly training in meditation and mixed martial arts both inform my approach to sports medicine. My experience with psychedelic medicine and somatic integration endeavors has greatly contributed to my approach to mind-body medicine.

Giving Back

Because my business is located on unceded Lenape land, I tithe an additional percentage of my earnings to the Manna-hatta Fund. As a contribution to documenting the history of the profession, I am proud to have assisted with the production of the 2020 documentary film Dope is Death and currently volunteer through the holistic risk reduction program at OnPoint NYC.