Our Intention
Our fundamental goal is to empower you to find your inner healing capabilities through the therapies and principles of Chinese Medicine. We believe that each of us contains the innate ability to attain a level of health that allows us to experience quality of life. In our office, you are Heard; you are a Name and a Face. We listen to your concerns, your goals, your frustrations and most importantly, your needs. We are facilitators in your healing. We believe that each of us has within them the ability to heal. Scientific research is now confirming this with studying intention and positive thinking. People like Lance Armstrong live it.

There is a shift occuring toward a desire to lead a wholistic lifestyle. This shift has been growing over the last few decades and more and more people are becoming aware of its presence. People today have a stronger desire to help themselves get better. They are looking at "alternative" medicines to help them achieve this. This desire comes from another shift. This conscious shift is growing from the rampant spread of illness. We are witnessing illness on massive scales. It is effecting loved ones and it is effecting us personally. Sadly, even many of the "adult" diseases are now plaguing our children. We are a country of abundance, knowledge and state of the art medicine, yet we are one of the sickest countries in the world. The change has sprung forth out of a need to heal ourselves, our loved ones and our planet. We are actively seeking healing alternatives. We are now asking why and how.

In this shift, there needs to be a balance, a symbiotic relationship between modern medicine and eastern medicine. Our medicine benefits from the ingenuity of modern testing. Your illnesses benefit from the wholistic viewpoint we take on treating you from several different approaches, including acupuncture, herbal therapy, holistic nutrition, breathing techniques, stress management and lifestyle modifications. Our medicine benefits modern physicians by creating the awareness and need of individual care. We promote a working relationship with all your physicians to create a positive support network that you utilize to help you get better. One person is not an island. We have the support of many local physicians and specialists in the southern ocean county area, as well as the local hospital. We will continue promote these relationships as we value integrative medicine a highly effective healing tool.

We see ourselves as facilitators in your healing. We cater the therapies according to your conditions. If you have Type II Diabetes, you will need to change your food choices. If you have difficulty sleeping, you will need to create a bedtime routine. If you have pain, you will need to journal your daily experiences with your pain. Through this self care you will become re-acquainted with yourself. This medicine is about Self Discovery. It will challenge you to understand what you are doing to yourself on a day-to-day basis that may be aggravating your illnesses. It will challenge you to change your belief systems on what you think health is and how you feel about yourself. It will Empower you to respect yourself on all level so that healing can take place. Chinese Medicine is an Active therapy.

To live with health, you need to participate in your health.

You are the only person who can live your life - so choose to live it fully.

Many of the people who walk through our doors, enter ready to make whatever changes necessary to feel better because they are tired of being sick. There are some who seek our treatments so that we can "fix" them. And there are still a small handful that come in skeptical of acupuncture who are willing to "try" it to "see if it works." Our greatest compliments usually come from our greatest skeptics. We understand the inabilty to fully trust a medical therapy that cannot be completely understood within a western framework. Experience is the greatest teacher to show us there is more to medicine then we understand.

Everyday, we get to live our work and we have been blessed to work with amazing individuals. Each person has their own life story and challenges that have, or need to overcome. We are humbled by the kindess, trust and gratitude of everyone we have treated. Without you, we would not be able to practice what we love. We are forever grateful to each and every one of you. You have touched our lives and have taught us about the strength of the human will.

To anyone who is looking to improve their health on all levels of their being...we welcome you and look foward to working with you on your journey...


The Practitioners:


John Manzella, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dipl. O.M. & C.H.

John is a state licensed Acupuncturist. He received his Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He is nationally licensed in Oriental Medicine and Herbology. John received his postgraduate training at Shan dong Traditional Chinese Hospital in Ji nan, China.

His clinical rotations were in Internal Medicine and Gynecology. He has been studying Chinese language for years and is currently translating a text on rheumatology from one of the doctors he studied under in China. His specializations are in pain management, gastro-intestinal conditions and fertility. John’s background in exercise physiology and cardiac rehab play a key role in being able to guide patients with stretching and strengthening recommendations. John has been a student of several styles of martial arts since he was a teenager. He is presently practicing Kung Fu. John also has a love for music and he has been playing jazz guitar for over 12 years. He is also a father to two beautiful children.



Kimberly Manzella, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dipl. O.M. & C.H.

Kimberly received her Masters at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. She is a state licensed Acupuncturist. Kim is nationally licensed in Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology. Kimberly received postgraduate training in China with clinical rotations in Internal Medicine and Gynecology. She has also studied medical Chinese over the past several years.

Her specializations are in women’s disorders and psycho-emotional conditions. She teaches the Eastern Nutrition classes in the office and offers nutritional counseling to all patients. Nutrition plays a major role in every condition treated and patients are guided on how to make healthier food choices based on their own unique constitutions and conditions.

She has studied other forms of energy medicine and muscle testing over the last ten years and frequently incorporates them into her treatments. She has training in visualizations and imagery techniques which she finds enhances recovery. Kim’s other passions are her Yoga practice, meditation and her children.



Priscilla Petrosky, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dipl. O.M. & C.H.

Priscilla received her Masters at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. She is a state licensed Acupuncturist. Priscilla is nationally licensed in Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Priscilla completed an internship at the University of California, San Diego clinic, and has worked with the Volunteers in Medicine Organization of Columbus, Indiana.

In 1998 Priscilla traveled to China to study Tui Na (chinese medical massage). During her travels she began learning about the powerful benefits of acupuncture and was impressed by the comprehensive approach of Chinese Medicine. Since then, she has devoted herself to the study and practice of Chinese Medicine.

She strongly believes in the necessity of wholistic therapy when treating many of today's common illnesses. Priscilla applies her experience in psychology and bodywork to the diagnostic and treatment processes of Chinese Medicine. Her specializations include pain management, allergies, women's conditions including fertility and emotional conditions.

Priscilla is a pure representation of wholistic living. She is a strong advocate for organic whole foods. She enjoys an active lifestyle which includes yoga. She is both knowledgeable and compassionate and a welcomed presence in the office. She enjoys working with people of all ages to help improve their quality of life. Most of all, Priscilla is passionate about helping people heal.



"We are strong advocates for holistic living. Our intention is to provide a healing atomosphere where you become empowered to heal yourself. We work with you to achieve a healthy lifestyle and quality of life."



The Therapists:

Frances Giberson, M.T.  Massage Therapist/Acupuncture Assistant:

Frances has an extensive background in massage therapy and therapeutic touch work. Frances has dedicated the last six years as an Acupunture Assistant here in the office in which she utilizes her talents in massage to help the healing process during treatments. According to your condition, she provides soothing therapeutic touch, release work and gua sha to help with stress and pain. Her care and respect to the patients is unprecedented and it shows in the results they get from her work. Frances also runs the Herbal Pharmacy and prepares all the formulas in our Practice. She is available for any questions you may have in regards to your herbs and the administration of them. Her background is also in personal training and she will be going through many of the stretches we recommend. Frances is available for massage by appointment only. She currently has an all female practice.



Lisa Haywood, M.T.  Massage Therapist/Acupuncture Assistant:

Lisa has been a massage therapist for over 17 years. She has extensive background wholistic therapy. Lisa assists during acupuncture treatments for pain related ailments. She also helps to run and organize our Herbal Pharmacy. She is also available for any questions you may have in regards to your formulas. She has a magnetic personality that everyone here benefits from. Her massage techniques have been refined over the years and her special touch is a welcome to all our patients. Lisa is also available for massage by appointment.