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.
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.
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
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.
Michelle Kwock, born and raised in San Francisco, is a dedicated Craniosacral Therapist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and infant care. Trained at the Carol Gray Center for CST Studies in Portland, OR, Michelle collaborated closely with midwives, lactation consultants, and naturopathic doctors to deliver integrated, comprehensive care. She has completed advanced education programs in human lactation and naturopathic medicine, and is a candidate for licensure as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and naturopathic doctor.
With experience supporting babies with conditions such as tongue tie, torticollis, muscle tension, colic, breastfeeding challenges, and gastrointestinal issues, Michelle is passionate about enhancing birth outcomes, improving pregnancy and postpartum care, and promoting infant comfort as well as breastfeeding success. Through craniosacral therapy, she helps mothers and babies find balance and well-being, facilitating a supportive foundation for growth and recovery.
For more information: www.carebyallay.com