Michelle Emiko Gamerl, L.Ac. has been in healthcare since 1992. As an athlete herself, she began in the field of Sports Medicine, working with professional and amateur athletes in surfing, beach volleyball, skateboarding, motocross, and snowboarding.
Despite tremendous success using manual therapies for injury care, rehabilitation, and prevention, she realized her limitations and began studying acupuncture and herbal medicine at Samra University of Oriental Medicine, the oldest institution of its kind in California.
After completing her Masters of Science degree and becoming licensed in 1998, Michelle continued her education, completing her internship at the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology in Beijing, China, and received her post-graduate certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics.
Though Michelle pursued her studies in order to better treat sports injuries and musculoskeletal complaints, she recognized the wide scope and extreme value of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and started a Primary Care practice where her patients range from pediatric to geriatric. Nutritional counseling is also a big part of her approach to patient care.
Since becoming a mother, Michelle has become an advocate of the Bradley Method of natural childbirth, Attachment parenting, cloth diapering, and baby sign language. She treats women during all stages of pregnancy, creates pre-natal/postpartum fitness programs, assists with non-drug induction of labor, helps to promote optimal lactation, and cares for other various postpartum ailments.
One of the latest editions to Michelle’s skill set is Cosmetic Acupuncture, sometimes referred to as Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation, Anti-Aging Acupuncture, or a Non-surgical Face Lift. Trained in the Mei Zen system, Michelle helps the countenance gracefully age by stimulating collagen and elastin production which may prevent premature aging of the skin, soften deep wrinkles, eliminate fine lines, brighten the complexion, firm sagging and puffiness, and reduce the appearance of sun spots, scars, or dark patches. Using this trademarked protocol which combines modern methods with ancient needling techniques, Michelle can help your skin look better in 5 weeks!*
Michelle has also received training in Healing Community Trauma and is a member of Acupuncturists Without Borders www.acuwithoutborders.org. This allows her to volunteer in disaster relief responses all over the world as well as participate in the Military Stress Recovery Project which use community-style acupuncture to help military personnel and their families cope with the consequences of war experiences and military service.