Clinical Experience & Education
Hi! I’m Cara Mafuta (she/they).
I completed my master's degree at The Won Institute of Graduate Studies in Glenside, PA with studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology, and hold national board certification with NCCAOM, and licensure in Pennsylvania.
I am passionate about empowering individuals with holistic medicine, and enjoy helping folks of all genders thrive by reclaiming bodily autonomy throughout the lifespan. As a first generation, Congolese-American femme, healing the roots of gender-based violence is central to my life’s work as a healing artist. I am honored to serve my community with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, working as a general practitioner in private practice. I treat a variety of conditions, including pediatrics, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum, menstrual health and gender-affirming care, respiratory and dermatological conditions, chronic illness, and end-of-life care.
I also hold a Bachelor's degree in Visual Art from Temple University's Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, PA, and Nursing Assistant certification from Delaware County Community College in Media, PA.
I’m so glad you’re here.
My journey to healing started as a kid when I became obsessed with painting nature, writing poetry, and drawing humans. Philadelphia embraced me with her generous, healing open arms during the most tender time of my adolescence, and she has been my most important nkisi - vessel/container - ever since.
I discovered acupuncture about 19 years ago when I first experienced serious illness. I was blessed with acupuncture treatments to sustain me through Lyme disease recovery, followed immediately by complications I experienced when pregnant with my first child. It’s been a long road navigating the progression of autoimmune illness and another high-risk pregnancy since then, and I’m thankful to be here, continuing the journey, and finding ways to maintain and thrive.
I strive to utilize my training and skill set in acupuncture and herbal medicine to facilitate a more expansive and safer space for my patients to be empowered in their healing process. As a Black non-binary femme and survivor, my practice is feminist and informed by my lived experiences, and I strive to address gaps in the healthcare system - especially those affecting underserved communities, including BIPOC, queer and trans, disabled, and trauma survivors - with values rooted in equity, self-determination, and love. I have worked in the sustainable business industry for over 19 years, and love running a worker-owned holistic healthcare practice.
Healing is our birthright.
After birthing my second child in 2012, I founded Acupuncture In Motion in 2015 as a mobile service practice for postpartum folx. For 8 years, I had the privilege of growing AIM from a mobile service practice, to a pop-up clinic, to a multi-bed brick and mortar storefront clinic and Chinese herbal dispensary on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, by completing my Chinese herbology board certification, grant-writing and stewarding community resources, positioning AIM to weather the impact of the 2020 pandemic. As a result of working in this way, providing thousands of treatments over the years, I have built relationships that have shaped my growth and evolution as a practitioner and human being. I learn from my patients, fellow community stakeholders, and my body everyday. In 2023, I implemented another sustainability-focused pivot, and am now primarily focusing on practicing “slow medicine”: one-to-one treatments that optimize practitioner and patient treatment time together, working with one client at a time, as we continue to mutually grow community and healing with each other.
In addition to treating meridians and handcrafting custom herbal formulas, I love adventuring, paddling, painting, sculpting, and enjoying good food, books, puzzles, games and music.
I am a water person - the oceans, rivers, lakes and streams are my spiritual home. I live in West Philly with my inspiring and magical kids, and our quirky, magical cat.