How it began
My path into Chinese medicine began when my late husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As his caregiver, I witnessed firsthand how acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and compassionate care could profoundly improve quality of life. That experience inspired my career, but more importantly, it taught me that meaningful healing begins when people feel truly seen, heard, and supported.
Finding Japanese Acupuncture
Early in my acupuncture training, I discovered that my body was unusually sensitive to stronger needling. While some techniques left me feeling depleted, I responded very differently to the gentle, precise approach of Japanese acupuncture. I felt balanced, energized, and deeply supported. It changed my understanding of how effective gentle treatment could be.
One of my teachers recognized that sensitivity in me and invited me to study with him. In the traditional master-student relationship, being invited by the teacher was a great honor—and it became a turning point in my training and the direction of my practice.
Japanese acupuncture has been the foundation of my work ever since. Its emphasis on gentle precision and working with the body's response reflects the kind of care I believe in and continue to provide today.
Learning to Listen
Wanting to deepen my understanding of compassionate care, I later studied contemplative caregiving at the San Francisco Zen Center. There, I learned how mindfulness and presence can create space for people to feel truly heard and supported.
It taught me that sometimes the most important part of caring for someone is simply being fully present with them.
Experience
Over the years, I've had opportunities to practice Chinese medicine in settings that broadened my understanding of both acupuncture and patient care.
I contributed to clinical research at Stanford University as part of an NIH-sponsored study exploring acupuncture for depression during pregnancy, and volunteered at the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic in Oakland, providing acupuncture for low-income women living with cancer.
These experiences strengthened my commitment to thoughtful, evidence-informed care while deepening the clinical experience I bring to each patient today.
Why I Love This Work
Life is constantly changing. Sometimes those changes are exciting. Sometimes they're unexpected. And sometimes they ask more of us than we anticipated.
I love being able to care for people through those changes—helping them feel better, adapt to what's happening in their bodies, and support their health as they move through different stages of life.
After more than 24 years in practice, what continues to inspire me is simple: creating a place where people can slow down, feel cared for, and receive thoughtful treatment that meets them where they are.
