Marty Howard, a distinguished neuromuscular massage therapist, brings a wealth of experience back to the Bay Area. After refining his skills and expanding his expertise in Los Angeles, Marty has developed a profound understanding of trigger point therapy, specializing in tackling complex acute and chronic injuries and pain. His patient-centered approach focuses on assessing individual health and injury histories, symptoms, mobility restrictions, and postural deviations, ensuring personalized care that addresses the root cause of discomfort rather than just the symptoms.

Collaborating closely with the crew at Lokahi, Marty is dedicated to creating comprehensive and progressive treatment plans. These plans are designed not only to relieve pain but also to rehabilitate and empower patients towards full recovery. Marty’s passion for healing is matched by his commitment to patient well-being, making him a trusted ally in your health and wellness journey.

Now back in the Bay Area, Marty is excited to offer his extensive experience and specialized services to help you achieve lasting relief and improved quality of life. Whether you’re battling chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking to enhance your overall physical well-being, Marty is here to support you every step of the way.

Marty Howard, a distinguished neuromuscular massage therapist, brings a wealth of experience back... Read More

Melissa specializes in pain management with a gentle and integrative approach, combining both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) protocols and Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS) acupuncture techniques. KMS clinical approach integrates the work of master Japanese acupuncturists to create a highly effective treatment style that relies on abdominal and channel palpation. Melissa has developed a holistic approach to pain management that treats the whole person intrinsically as well as the specific site(s) of pain. Melissa treats any type of pain, but she especially excels in treating pain that has both physical and mental/emotional components, and may appear chronic, complex and/or without cause.

Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in BioPhysical studies from Lewis & Clark College. As a post-graduate interested in health care, Melissa then worked for a decade as a strategic market analyst on projects for pharmaceutical companies, studying large employer disease management and tactical models. Frustrated by the gaps in the traditional U.S. medical system, Melissa began her Masters degree program in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA.

During her graduate studies, Melissa had severe autoimmune complications during her first pregnancy in the midst the most stressful time of her life. Despite the odds (90% chance of disease recurrence during subsequent pregnancy), she applied her integrated knowledge of health care, nutrition, stress reduction, and spiritual mindfulness to have very healthy second pregnancy five years later. Melissa is convinced by both her personal and professional experiences that true healing comes from the connection of mind/ body/ spirit. Non-judgmental in her approach, Melissa provides a safe, supportive environment and encourages patients with her positive attitude and ongoing self care advice.

When not working, Melissa enjoys playing and traveling with her two sons, in and near the ocean, mountains, and trees that make our area so special. She is a native to Santa Cruz and can often be found outside.

Melissa specializes in pain management with a gentle and integrative approach, combining both Tra... Read More

Andrea Geiger, L.Ac. brings a sincere inquisitive nature and genuine sense of compassion to her work at Lokahi. With a MS in Clinical Psychology and over 13 years of experience in many modalities of body work, the integrative approach of Chinese medicine comes naturally to her. She is passionate about the relationship between the physical, mental and emotional components to wellness and treats the whole body system in order to address the affects of stress on the body including infertility, anxiety, and pain. Having found hope through acupuncture and herbs in her own journey with fertility, she is invested in helping others in the area of reproductive health. She works with a wide range of reproductive issues for patients trying to conceive naturally or in collaboration with Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Andrea Geiger, L.Ac. brings a sincere inquisitive nature and genuine sense of compassion to her ... Read More

Cathryn Davidson, L. Ac. brings an additional perspective to the fertility arena and firmly believes in the importance of treating the whole person as a unique individual. She is an accomplished herbalist and dedicated problem solver, striving to determine and address the root cause of her patients’ symptoms. Working in the areas of Women’s Health, Fertility, and Obstetrics, Cathryn’s passion is to help women feel their best before, during, and after pregnancy. She also works closely with women facing Diminishing Ovarian Reserves (DOR), in which she assists in achieving a viable, healthy pregnancy by supporting egg quality.

Cathryn Davidson, L. Ac. brings an additional perspective to the fertility arena and firmly belie... Read More

Cara Ortiz, L. Ac. earned her Master’s of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in 2011. Her education includes extensive training in biomedicine, dietetics, herbal therapies, acupuncture, and orthopedics. She is CA board certified acupuncturist and herbalist practicing since 2011.

Cara specializes in women’s health, infertility, and pain management. She welcomes collaboration with Western medicine practitioners in treating chronic disease, diminished ovarian reserve, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometriosis.

Cara Ortiz, L. Ac. earned her Master’s of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branc... Read More

Joon (JB) Kim L. Ac. is a second-generation acupuncturist and herbalist licensed in the state of California and holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese medicine from Five Branches University with a certification in Integrative Sports Medicine.

He specializes in sports medicine, pain management, digestive issues and has had good success with alleviating the side effects of cancer treatments.

He is committed to guiding and supporting his patients to achieve a better quality of life by utilizing acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition coaching to bring their mind, body and spirit back into balance.

Joon (JB) Kim L. Ac. is a second-generation acupuncturist and herbalist licensed in the state of ... Read More

Qin Zhu, L. Ac. handles each individual patient with a holistic approach that focuses on not only their physical health, but also in their mental and spiritual wellbeing. Her knowledge, experience, and compassionate nature allows her to provide the most effective solutions for patients, while creating a warm, supportive treatment experience. She is passionate in helping women with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or couples undergoing IVF, as well as pain management such as musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and dysmenorrhea. With 17 years of experience as pediatric occupational therapist, she has a special interest in optimizing children’s health including allergies, asthma, autism, and ADHD.

Qin Zhu, L. Ac. handles each individual patient with a holistic approach that focuses on not only... Read More

Yun Hee Hong, L. Ac. has been helping fertility patients prepare for their pregnancy journeys for many years. In addition to supporting natural conception, Yun Hee works closely with IVF and IUI patients. In advance of an egg retrieval, she can help improve egg quality and quantity, and before either a fresh or frozen embryo transfer, she assists patients to increase chances of implantation. In addition, Yun Hee provides prenatal and postpartum care to help new moms enjoy a healthy life. Yun Hee loves to use Celluma™ light therapy to enhance her fertility treatments.

Yun Hee also has over a decade of experience in pain management treatments, including neck, shoulder, arm, lower back, and sciatica pain. In the Bay Area, many people are under considerable stress and work long hours. She helps these patients achieve lifestyle pain relief and muscle relaxation using gentle and painless Japanese acupuncture.

Yun Hee Hong, L. Ac. has been helping fertility patients prepare for their pregnancy journeys for... Read More

Smriti Shamapant is a dedicated practitioner of Chinese Medicine with a unique blend of expertise in pain, pediatric care, and facial rejuvenation. Her academic journey began at UC Davis, delving deep into the intricacies of Neurology and human development. Building upon this foundation, she earned both a master’s and doctorate degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA. Smriti’s career trajectory has taken her to the forefront of medical integration, seamlessly weaving complementary and alternative medicine into the fabric of traditional biomedical care. She worked at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) with inpatient palliative care, focusing on the Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Oncology, and Rare Disease units. Her approach is both pragmatic and holistic, intricately formulating treatment strategies that encompass the entirety of a patient’s well-being. Notably, she thrives in effective communication with her patients’ physicians and other medical professionals when necessary.

Recognizing that pain is an integral part of the human experience, rooted even in our DNA, Smriti is committed to making a difference by addressing it through acupuncture, aiming to provide relief and improve lives, one needle at a time. Additionally, she is a certified specialist in holistic facial rejuvenation, fusing timeless Eastern techniques with contemporary advancements that help people look and feel their best. With a deep commitment to her ongoing education in medicine, Smriti deftly combines Eastern wisdom and bio-medicine, recognizing the significance of each approach. Her nuanced understanding of the interaction between internal and external energies empowers patients to achieve holistic well-being. She believes the most optimal form of healthcare is one that combines multiple modalities and techniques. When not immersed in her clinical work, Smriti finds herself mostly outside the house – whether camping, showering dogs with affection, or savoring generous helpings of mac & cheese!

Smriti Shamapant is a dedicated practitioner of Chinese Medicine with a unique blend of expertise... Read More