Denise Mailloux Bowden, M.S., L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and clinical herbalist and the founder of the root & the branch: a center for acupuncture & holistic health. For all patients, Denise completes a holistic assessment by taking a detailed history, evaluating diet and lifestyle, and customizing a treatment plan. Her approach aims to empower clients to listen to their bodies and reconnect more deeply with their health.
Denise treats many common health concerns from backaches to migraines, Denise specializes in reproductive medicine, women’s health, preconception care and fertility, pregnancy, postpartum health, and hormonal transitions associated with aging. During her Master’s program, Denise apprenticed with renowned healer Beverly Burns, M.S., L.Ac., fertility specialist Dr. Lifang Liang, and pregnancy and childbirth expert Raven Lang, M.S., L.Ac. She is a member of the NorCal Fertility Group, has been a contracted acupuncturist at Pacific Fertility Center, and is a preferred practitioner with Laurel Fertility Care.
Additionally, Denise saw patients at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine from 2016-2019. While there, she was fortunate to participate in acupuncture and medical systems research in an ongoing effort to support growth and access to this valuable medicine.
For her pregnant patients, Denise is well connected to the birth and baby community and, as a mommy herself, knows lots of kitchen table remedies to ensure women feel healthy and strong. She treats the common and troublesome side effects of pregnancy such as nausea, headaches, and mood concerns as well as breech presentations. Perinatally, she sees clients for labor support and promotion and post-partum care. Denise loves treating pregnant women and finds acupuncture an ideal treatment because it’s drug–free, relaxing, and nourishes both mama & baby simultaneously.
Danielle is a San Francisco native who returned to the Bay Area to attend American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chinese Medicine and earn her doctorate degree. Danielle’s calling to Chinese medicine was initiated by her own healing journey and now it’s her passion to assist others with their health and wellness.
She has experience working in integrative settings and both encourages and incorporates a holistic approach to her practice. Her experience as an acupuncturist at Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center working in the Acute Stroke Specialty Program allowed her to hone her skills in scalp acupuncture and informed her understanding of Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders and neuroanatomical acupuncture. Working in nonprofit and community clinics offered the opportunity to utilize auricular acupuncture and yogic breath work with acupuncture to successfully treat chronic stress, trauma and addiction. In addition, through her personal and clinical experience she has developed an affinity for working with autoimmune disorders, PMS and other hormonal health issues.
Danielle utilizes a gentle approach and incorporates techniques including Master Tung style acupuncture, trigger point release, and manual therapy. She is trained in Qi Gong, Shiatsu and Tui Na bodywork and often incorporates these along with nutritional coaching and herb/supplement recommendations within her treatment plans.
When not working she enjoys hiking, gardening, swimming and yoga.
Dr. Mary Manning is a licensed acupuncturist who began her career in healthcare before
studying Chinese Medicine as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She supported emergency and
critical care patients and worked in academia, specialty, general practice, and holistic medicine.
Treating animals introduced her to the remarkable and undeniable benefits of acupuncture and
a whole-being approach to healthcare. She earned her Master's and Doctorate degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz.
Dr. Mary treats various health issues, focusing primarily on digestive health, mental wellness,
and pain management. She also has a passion for supporting seniors. She is present for her
patients and offers gentle guidance and support on their health-seeking journey.
In addition to her Traditional Chinese Medicine credentials, she has studied Five Elements and
Kiiko Matsumoto Styles of Acupuncture (KMS). She is a Certified Provider of Hospice and
Palliative Care Acupuncture. And she even keeps her RVT license current!
During her free time, you can find her hiking trails with her husband and three dogs,
volunteering with The Street Dog Coalition, providing veterinary care for the unhoused, or
relaxing at home, where she might be knitting.
Cator Shachoy is a Craniosacral Practitioner, Yoga Therapist, International Yoga Instructor, and Mindfulness Teacher. A true healer, her work is unique in both the depth and breadth of what she has to offer. Cator works with adults, children, and infants to care for and resolve a wide range of health conditions and life issues. Cator provides hands on healing through Cranial sessions, and gives people tools to help themselves through creating a personal yoga & mindfulness program. Her work can be considered Holistic Health for the Whole Family.
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Cator began practicing and studying each of these disciplines in 1990 to heal her own chronic illness. Through regular training she regained her strength and vitality. She is a certified practitioner of Craniosacral Bodywork through the Milne Institute, with a specialty in pediatrics with Ben Shield. She has studied Biodynamic Craniosacral with Michael Shea. Cator is a YACEP yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance. She completed teacher training at both the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco and Kripalu Center. She has worked extensively with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers here in the bay area, and has trained teaches since 2005. Cator is a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor, and completed teacher training at the Center for Mindfulness in Worcester, MA. She completed a certificate in Buddhist Chaplaincy with Sati Center for Buddhist Studies in 2019. She is also the founder of Youth Yoga Dharma, a 501c-3 nonprofit dedicated to offering youth the skills of yoga & mindfulness.
Cator’s practice is eclectic – she works with individuals and families to reduce or resolve a variety of conditions. Craniosacral is a very gentle, effective, non-invasive modality. Combined with Yoga & Mindfulness, there is tremendous potential for health & wellness. In addition to working with the body, Cator is a long time spiritual practitioner. Facilitating spiritual growth & emotional wellbeing are a part of her practice.
For more information: www.catorshachoy.com
Benny Amarlapudi, AP, is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Certified Personal Trainer.
Although Benny grew up in Malta, Ayurveda was instilled in her from a very young age. However, she truly embraced Traditional Indian medicine only many years later in an effort to treat a chronic skin condition. This personal journey led her to discover her passion for holistic medicine and healing. She received her education from Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda during which she apprenticed with the well-respected Ayurvedic physicians Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. R.H. Singh.
In her own practice, Benny treats many common health problems, but specializes in digestive and skin conditions. She uses various healing methods including Ayurvedic nutrition, herbal formulas, lifestyle plans, breathing exercises, meditation, marma therapy and Ayurvedic body treatments. She believes that every positive health choice is a vital step towards cultivating sustainable well-being. By teaching clients through the principles of Ayurveda, she seeks to shine the light on self-care, disease prevention and early treatment.
When she is not practicing and researching Ayurveda, Benny can be found hiking, biking, traveling, cooking and exploring ways to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and fitness.
For more information: www.amaya-wellness.com
Lisa’s more than 30 year bodywork journey has led her to her true calling in Manual
Lymph Drainage (MLD), after receiving her certification from the Dr. Vodder School in 2006.
She appreciates this gentle and precise way of working with the fluid balance in the body and all of its naturally resulting restorative benefits. MLD supports immune function, general well being, and relaxation. Post surgery or injury Lymph Drainage stimulates the contraction of the delicate network of lymph vessels under the skin, facilitating the healing process by cleansing the tissues and decreasing pain, swelling and bruising.
Lisa completed a Masters degree in Integral Health Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies in 1998. Her diverse experience includes 20 years as a volunteer at the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic for Women with Cancer, as well as participating as a therapist in a UCSF study of arm lymphedema post breast cancer.
Lymph Drainage has long been a valued treatment in European spa and physical therapy
settings and is finally becoming more recognized in the US.
Lisa is so glad to bring her favorite modality to the root and the branch !
A native San Franciscan, she enjoys hiking on Mt. Tamalpais and visiting museums and
Farmer’s Markets. Yoga and Qigong are sustaining practices.
For more information email: lisabrinkercmt@yahoo.com​
Holly Edson has been a nurse and bodyworker for 23 years. She is craniosacral technique certified by the Upledger Institute. While she specializes in infant feeding, she also sees people of all ages with a multitude of concerns. Holly continues to work as a nurse at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco and a nurse practitioner at Preventive Medical Center of Marin. For her work a the Root and the Branch, she provides advanced bodywork, craniosacral therapy, and infant feeding support. Holly lives with her family in Mill Valley.