“What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.”
― Haruki Murakami
Twenty years ago, Acupuncture wasn't really on my radar.
But then, I got sick. Really sick. I have a genetic disorder that affects the way my cells work, but we didn't know that then. The treatments my doctors prescribed were making me worse, and I was struggling to do the most basic tasks. My feelings of helplessness grew, until a friend suggested I try acupuncture. Acupuncture? How was acupuncture going to help me when the hardest hitting drugs on the market had failed? But they convinced me to give it a try. During my session, I felt sensation pouring back into my hands. I actually watched them change from cold and white to warm and pink while I was on the table. Within days, I was taking steps again. The change was nothing short of dramatic. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can't cure my mitochondrial disorder, but they absolutely helped me manage my symptoms and return to my vibrant self.
As soon as I was back on my feet, I began to pursue my Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine at Dongguk University. Dongguk has the busiest clinic in Los Angeles, and as an intern, I observed hundreds of treatments, needled well over 400 hundred of my own patients, and directed the establishment of a pop-up acupuncture clinic to address the urgent health needs, particularly of those experiencing homelessness, at Occupy Los Angeles. I passed the prestigious California Board licensing exam in 2010, am certified as both an acupuncturist and herbalist by NCCAOM, and licensed by the State of New York. In 2021, I finished my Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Science.
I came to graduate school able to draw from decades working in various aspects of health care. I was a volunteer medic for the International Red Cross, and had the great honor of working on ambulances and assisting in labor and birth in crisis zones. As a fellow in the prestigious Public Allies program, I wrote and taught a progressive reproductive health curriculum for immigrant youth at Chinatown Service Center, and I've been an advocate for LGBTQ+ health for almost thirty years.
Perhaps nearest to my heart is the wealth of experience I've gained as a mother to four fantastic and wildly different children, now ages 17-29. My pregnancies, births, and parenting experiences inspired me to become a natural childbirth instructor, community breastfeeding counselor, and birth doula in 1998 (25 years ago!) I also spent a year during the pandemic as part of the Midwife Assitant team at Fika Midwifery, assisting with medical tasks, resuscitations, and emotional support for people birthing at home and at the Fika birth center. I absolutely love supporting families during pregnancy, labor, and birth, and making sure they feel heard, respected, and empowered during the process.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I am a member of the Order of the Good Death started by progressive mortician Caitlin Doughty. I’ve been attending Death Cafes, death meditations, and death and grief work classes for a decade, am currently enrolled in the Thanatology/Death Studies program at One Spirit Seminary, and am writing a book on death and dying for Llewellyn Publications (manuscript due in September 2023 eek!). I believe in giving clients and their families more control, choice, and autonomy over the hospice, death, and grieving process. Thus, I am available, not only as a birth doula, but a death midwife, as well, and can provide assistance in pain and anxiety management for the dying and their caregivers and also help facilitate the home funeral process or memorial ceremonies.
I am also so proud to have completed a specialized certification with the prestigious and cutting edge Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Oncology Acupuncture, and feel confident in treating the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, neuropathy, hot flashes, and cancer-related pain. Acupuncture doesn’t cure cancer, but it can make cancer treatment easier to endure, thus helping patients to adhere to strenuous treatment regimens which encourages superior outcomes.
In March 2019, I was honored to be named “Best Place to Get Pinned” (Best Acupuncture) in the LA WEEKLY! It was so exciting to see Acupunktrix in print!
The weirdest thing about me? I also used to play percussion and sing in a ridiculous monster-themed band called Krammpstein. No, really, I did! While I didn’t take myself at all seriously when performing in faux fur, I take your health and well-being to heart. As a musician, I love incorporating sound healing into my sessions. Modern science is documenting amazing ways that sound vibration can be used in medicine, and let’s be honest, crystal singing bowls might seem pretty hippy-dippy, but the relaxing effects are freaking awesome.
Acupuncture can be approached from a number of ideologies, and whether your jam is spirit or science or a little bit of both, I’ve got you covered. We can just talk fascia and nerve conduction and inflammatory and histamine responses, or we can go all out and add shamanic drumming and rattling and sacred smoke to your session. I can work comfortably in both worlds and respect whatever approach resonates with you.
I’ve been living in Buffalo, NY for four years now, and above all, I provide health care that is judgment free and a working partnership between patient and practitioner. You don't have to choose between alternative and Western healthcare; you can, and you should, take advantage of the best of both, and together, we can create a synergistic and unique medicine that is soothing and effective. Also, did I mention…I LOVE MY WORK!!! I’m so incredibly grateful and privileged to do what I do and I hope I can extend that love and enthusiasm to whatever is troubling you.