My
Story
I was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Diego, California, both of which are welcoming to alternative therapies. From a young age, I was exposed to naturopaths, acupuncturists, herbalists, and chiropractors, sparking my interest in the complexity of the human body and the many ways we can approach health . Acupuncture and herbal medicine, particularly in women's health, have always fascinated me, especially for conditions like menstrual irregularities, infertility, and menopause. Chinese medicine is also effective for a wide range of issues, from common colds and insomnia to orthopedic conditions.
The education required to become a licensed acupuncturist involves a four-year Master's degree and 3,000 hours of training which includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Classes are focused in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture techniques, herbology, and diagnosis. Clinical hours involve hands-on practice under the supervision of licensed practitioners, where students learn how to treat real patients. I am licensed in both California and New York State for which I had to pass the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE) and National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam.
Additionally, I interned at the Chang Gung Memorial hospital in Taiwan where Eastern and Western medicine are integrated to treat almost all conditions. I have apprenticed with practitioners who specialize in pediatrics and fertility.