Hideshiro Minami, L.Ac. - Director & Founder
Hide (pronounced "Hee-day") was born into one of the oldest acupunctture families in Japan. His ancestors studied under a grand master of acupuncture 300 years ago. Hide's family's clinic name in Japan bears the name Akakabe (Red Wall), as a tribute to the grand master (whose clinic had red walls.) Until 150 years ago, acupuncture, moxibustion and herbology were the main medical therapies used in Japan.

Hide grew up watching and helping his mother in her acupuncture clinic as she treated thousands of people with a wide range of conditions. Here he experienced firsthand the powerful benefits of Oriental Medicine. The deep level of respect and appreciation the patients displayed for his mother's skills, and her ability to help people heal, made a profound impact on Hide - it was a natural choice for him to attend acupuncture college after high school.

Hide attended Osaka Acupuncture College in Japan, becoming a 6th generation acupuncturist. He later came to the United States, where he attended the San Francisco College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is licensed in the U.S., as well as in Japan. Hide opened the first Holistic Health Center clinic in 1989. Hide specializes in energy balancing to promote the body's own healing energy. He enjoys meeting new people and educating them about the benefits of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Hide is an avid surfer who restores his own healing energy in the ocean waves. Hide's karate practice develops his strength and focus. He holds a 4th degree black belt, and teaches karate in San Mateo. Hide speaks English and Japanese.

Andreas Sijbrant, N.D., L.Ac.                                                                                           http://www.drsijbrant.com
Dr. Andreas Sijbrant graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon with a Doctorate in Naturopathy (N.D.) and from the Acupuncture and Integrative College, of Berkeley (AIC) with his Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM). Soon after graduating from AIC, Andreas successfully passed the California Acupuncture state boards and was granted his license in Acupuncture (L.Ac.).

Andreas combines his western knowledge of disease and human systems with that of eastern medicine to devise a treatment plan that may consist of nutritional supplements, dietary counselling, herbs (Western or Chinese herbal formulas>, homeopathic remedies, and acupuncture. Few individuals would actually require the use of all of these therapies at once, but his knowledge of all of those modalities enables a broader approach to each individual case. Andreas works with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, however, has particular interest in gastroenterology and endocrinology including fertility counselling. Apart from a focus on present ailments or conditions, Andreas believes very strongly in prevention.

Andreas is one of few licensed Naturopathic doctor in CA, and is an active member in the California Naturopathic Doctors Association (CNDA) geared at improving access to Naturopathic Medicine in CA.

Eric S. Wu, L.Ac.
Eric’s areas of special interest are infertility, allergies and pain management, especially of the neck and back. He graduated summa cum laude in 1997 from Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Monica, CA. While at Emperor’s College, Eric was active in a pilot program where acupuncture interns treated patients in a hospital (Daniel Freeman Hospital in Marina del Rey). This program was the first of its kind in the nation. Eric also has a BS degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Biology. He has been a been a guest lecturer at Stanford University, presenting interesting and challenging clinical case studies to medical students.

Eric hails from the South (born and raised in North Carolina), but managed to leave without either a Southern or a Chinese accent. In his free time, he enjoys tending to his orchids and roses, practicing Bikram yoga and snowboarding. He also listens to a wide variety of music and is the clinic’s resident gastronome and food expert. Eric speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

Raphaela Sorkin, O.M.D., L.Ac.
Raphaela has been practicing acupuncture for over 18 years. She graduated from San Francisco College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and continued at Samra University of Los Angeles where she received her Doctorate of Oriental Medicine and Doctorate of Philosophy in Oriental Medicine degree. She has background studies of pre-med and psychology from San Francisco State University. Raphaela specializes in neurological problems such as paralysis and Bell's Palsy, as well as facial acupuncture for rejuvenation and aging prevention. She has research interests in scalp therapy and acupuncture anesthesia.

She has studied feng shui for many years with Professor Lin Yun of Black Tantric Buddhism School of Feng Shui. Raphaela's favorite hobbies include playing the keyboard and singing in her band, as well as oil painting.

Juliet Tatsumi, L.Ac.
Juliet Tatsumi, L.Ac., is a California Board Licensed Acupuncturist, as well as a Nationally Certified Diplomate Oriental Medicine. She received her Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, California, where she received extensive training in the use of Chinese herbal medicine. She treats a wide variety of internal, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, with a focus on women’s health. She has completed extensive continuing education in topics such as infertility, obstetrics, gastrointestinal disorders, orthopedics, autoimmune diseases, and nutrition. In addition, she incorporates Japanese styles of acupuncture and acupressure into her practice.

Juliet received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, where she developed a great appreciation for hiking and nature.

Loren Romley, L.Ac.
Loren is a California Board Licensed Acupuncturist as well as a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Loren earned her Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Cruz, California. She completed the Five Element acupuncture program and focused her studies on hepatitis C, pediatrics, hormone balancing and sports injury. Loren combines traditional Chinese and Japanese techniques with the theories of Five Element acupuncture to gain insight into her patients’ constitutions and the imbalances that are the root of their discomfort and disease.

Loren is a native Californian, born in Redwood City. She is passionate about playing in the outdoors. Her first career was guiding river trips in the Grand Canyon. She also practices yoga, loves to surf, and enjoys swimming, hiking and running.

Suzuko Deresh, C.S.T.
Suzuko is certified in Shiatsu (Acupressure) therapy from San Francisco School of Massage. She is also certified in Swedish, Sports, and Pregnancy & Postpartum massage therapies. She is also trained in Lymphatic Drainage and Reflexology. In addition she has studied three of the central concepts of Traditional Asian Medicine; Vital Energy(Qi), Pathways of Energy Flow, and systems of Function(Organ), all of which are interrelated. Suzuko’s commitment and dedication to the health of her clients is her main priority.

She strives to make the nervous client feel comfortable. Her technique often makes her clients feel so relaxed that most will fall asleep within the first 10-15 minutes of treatment.

Suzuko is a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionalism and continues to take classes to educate her on new and skillful techniques in the massage industry. Suzuko enjoys dancing, swimming, listening to music, and teaching Japanese Language.

Yuka Ono, C.S.T.
Yuka Ono graduated from Kansai Vocational College of Medicine, in Osaka, Japan and was certified as a registered practitioner in Anma Massage, Acupressure and Acupuncture.  In the United States she attended the Acupressure and Shiatsu School in Los Angeles and became certifed in Massage, Acupressure, and Shiatsu.

Yuka specializes in Acupressure which is applying direct pressure on acupuncture points to stimulate blood flow.  As a result, circulation will improve and can treat issues such as low back pain, stiff neck, headache, menstrual pain, frozen shoulder, nervousness and emotional instability.  Yuka also specializes in a "nurse massage" which helps women that are having difficulty with lactation.  There are few therapies available to encourage lactation, but Yuka has had great success with this modality.

Elena Miyake, L.Ac., C.M.T.
Elena is a licensed acupuncturist and a certified Tui Na Chinese massage therapist.  She treats a wide range of conditions, but her areas of her specialty include pain management and stress related disorders.She had extensive training in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine at ACTCM clinic, California Pacific Medical Center rehabilitation center, the Women's Community Clinic, and Maxine Hall Health Center. Elena is dedicated to working with patients to balance the physical and emotional systems to establish harmonious energy flow in the body.

Jessica Phillips, CMT
Jessica is a Certified Massage Therapist and Health Educator.  She graduated from the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, California.  Specializing in Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Myofacial Therapy and Reflexology.  She is fascinated by the human body and learning more with continuing education. 

Jessica is well versed in Anatomy and Physiology, pathology and ethics.  She believes in tailoring a massage towards the individual needs of each client by using multiple modalities to get the best results as possible.  Growing up she has always had the passion for helping others and finds it very important to be tuned into one another.