Get To Know The New Acupuncturists

 

Three practitioners have joined the team at Good Life Acupuncture and Herbs this year. In the spirit of getting to know them a little better, I’ve asked each to talk about what drew them to study Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Read below to find out what motivated these amazing ladies to embark on the healer’s path using Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for their toolbox.

 

Miao-Keng (Megan) Shen, DTCM, L.Ac

I grew up in Taiwan, surrounded by the rich traditions of Chinese herbal medicine. Since childhood, herbal remedies have been an essential part of my life. Whenever I got sick, I rarely visited hospitals because my father often treated my health issues with traditional Chinese herbal formulas. At the time, I didn’t realize how unique and fortunate this experience was. It wasn't until I graduated from university and began to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds that I truly understood what a privilege it had been to grow up with this ancient knowledge.

Later, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, where I completed my Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine degree. In my clinical practice, I’ve witnessed the incredible ways Chinese medicine and acupuncture can support healing.

One personal experience stands out clearly in my memory. A few years ago, I developed a persistent cold sensation in my upper back. It lingered for months, and nothing seemed to help. Then one of my teachers prescribed a herbal formula for my condition. After taking it, I felt a gentle warmth rising through my back. The sensation was not only physical, it was deeply healing. That experience reminded me just how powerful and effective Chinese herbal medicine can be.

I’ve also witnessed dramatic recoveries in others. A friend of mine suffered a traumatic brain injury after a skiing accident. She was in a coma for two weeks, and when she awoke, she struggled with speech and mobility. Her tongue was difficult to control, and her movements were slow and unsteady. Her doctors told her she might never fully recover, and even warned that she might not be able to have children.

But she didn’t give up. A few months into her recovery, she began working with a Chinese medicine practitioner. She took custom herbal formulas and received consistent care. Slowly, her body responded. Her speech became clearer and her balance returned. Last year, against all odds, she gave birth to a beautiful baby. Watching her transformation was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Chinese medicine is not just about treating symptoms. It’s about understanding the whole person: their body, emotions, and environment. It reminds us that healing is a journey, and that the body has a deep capacity to restore itself when supported by nature’s wisdom. I feel honored to be part of this tradition and to share its benefits with others. Whether it’s a lingering imbalance or a life changing injury, Chinese herbal medicine has the potential to awaken the body’s natural healing power and sometimes, even to restore hope where it was once lost.


Kiana Smith, MSTOM, L.Ac

Born and raised in San Diego, I was introduced early on to integrative approaches to healthcare, shaped by my family’s embrace of traditional healing methods such as Afro-Indigenous practices and Chinese Medicine. This early exposure sparked a lifelong interest in holistic medicine and the belief that when we consider the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and address the root cause of an issue, the body has an innate ability to heal itself.

My curiosity deepened at San Francisco State University, where I pursued my undergraduate studies and discovered the Holistic Health program. There, I was introduced to and witnessed the benefits of Chinese Medicine modalities such as the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol. NADA is an ear acupuncture treatment developed in the 1970s with roots in Black Panther community health activism. Specific points on the ear are used to support addiction recovery, reduce stress, and promote emotional healing. Learning this approach and seeing its application in underserved communities deeply resonated with my values and personal experiences. I decided that by diving deeper into Chinese Medicine, I could blend my interests in social justice, community wellness, and traditional healing in ways that are trauma-informed and centered on real people’s experiences.


Dr. Reshmi Yandapalli, DAOM

My journey into acupuncture didn’t start with a spiritual awakening or a life event - but with a broken BMW GPS and a sign promising dancing and free snacks. After a long day as a Director of Engineering (aka, the person you call when your entire tech stack is on fire), my car mysteriously rerouted me to the parking lot of said “dance class”. Hungry and curious, I followed the smell of snacks and accidentally walked into an acupuncture school orientation. Surrounded by people in white coats—and not wanting to be that person who leaves with a full plate—I stayed. One hour later, I was hooked. 

What started as “just one class” turned into a full doctorate and 8 years of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Now I apply the system-level thinking I use as an engineer to human systems to help patients manage complex conditions like chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and neurological issues. With a brain wired for logic and a heart wired for healing, I bring my own unique, fresh, and outside-the-box approach to Eastern medicine. I like to say: “Try everything else first—then come find me. That’s when you can say Rush-me(Reshmi) to health.”

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Welcome Dr. Reshmi Yandapalli, DAOM