Melena Smith, L.Ac., DAIM, is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine with a strong interest in the relationship between mind and body, and in the body’s innate ability to heal. She earned her Master of Science in Traditional Asian Medicine and Doctorate in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine from the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley. Prior to this, a background in biomedical science continues to inform her work, bringing a modern understanding of the body to traditional healing systems.

Her clinical training includes experience in integrative cancer care, women’s health and sports medicine. She has continued her studies through advanced training in gentle Japanese-style acupuncture, palpation-based treatment, 5-element constitutional diagnosis and craniosacral therapy. She is particularly interested in the role that acupuncture can play in nervous system regulation, stress-related conditions, pain, and the emotional and physical components of illness, recovery and trauma healing.

Melena brings a calm and collaborative presence to treatment and is passionate about helping patients understand their health as part of their own personal path to well-being. She sees acupuncture not simply as a way to address symptoms, but as a means of supporting lasting change and a deeper sense of connection within oneself.

Melena Smith, L.Ac., DAIM, is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine with a strong inte... Read More

I am deeply interested in the mind-body connection, as well as how the body’s natural energy affects overall health. I first explored this connection as an undergraduate at U.C. Santa Cruz , majoring in Neuroscience. I then earned my Masters of Science degree in Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), here in San Francisco. In addition to clinical experience at ACTCM’s Community and Auricular Clinic, I have worked at Jewish Home for the Aged, California Pacific Medical Center (post-acute rehabilitation). For five years I have worked at Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, providing Chinese Medicine to low income women with advanced cancer.

Within the hospitals and community clinics in Hangzhou, China at the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University further advanced my training with a focus on orthopedics and neurological disorders.

I have completed advanced certification, studying and practicing more than 200 hours with Master Qing-Ming Zhu . Dr. Zhu’s technique of scalp acupuncture to treat severe neurological conditions is world renown and results obtained by this system are unsurpassed.

I feel fortunate to have discovered the power of Chinese Medicine first-hand early in my life. My quest for effective and profound treatment of severe disorders leads me to continually broaden my medical and clinical expertise of pain, dysfunction, neurological disorders, and cancer treatment. As a practitioner of this medicine, I am passionate about understanding and explaining health in a way that is useful and applicable to daily life and longevity.

I am deeply interested in the mind-body connection, as well as how the body’s natural energy affe... Read More