Finding the right practitioner can make all the difference. We invite you to get to know more about Jackie—the path that lead her to this medicine, what she loves to treat, and how she can support you on your healing journey!​

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What inspired you to become an acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner?

• I found myself in the world of TCM through many serendipitous twists and turns. I moved to New Orleans after college at age 22 and was trying on many different hats at that time. I stumbled upon an opportunity to learn the NADA ear acupuncture protocol and was so inspired by how powerful and effective the 5 points were that after a few years of volunteering with the NADA NOLA collective, I decided to take the leap to attend TCM graduate school in Texas.

 

How long have you been practicing?

• ​I've been giving NADA ear acupuncture treatments since 2013 and graduated with my masters in TCM in the Summer of 2018. That winter, I opened up Hidden Root Acupuncture out of a single room in the Warehouse District. Once I got busy, I moved into our Julia Street location in January 2021 and added some new practitioners.

 

How has your approach evolved over time?

• My approach has always been very patient-centered. I love getting to know my patients within the wider context of their lives; a whole person walks into the treatment room, not just a symptom! Over time, I've also learned that slow and steady change can be more effective than trying to tackle everything at once. Our bodies are often overstimulated all day, so doing too much on the treatment table can backfire as well. A handful of concise and focused treatments often brings the best results. 

 

What do you love most about being an acupuncturist/herbalist?

• In this field, there is always something new to learn and I love helping people feel better. I'm honored to be the bearer of (what is often) new information and new perspectives for my patients. This medicine helps empower them to live healthier, more rewarding lives... just as it has for me in my own life!

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What’s your philosophy on healing and long-term wellness?

• Listen to YOUR body. We live in a culture where we are told to look outside of ourselves in order to live well, be it someone else's diet or fitness regiments or advice on products and supplements. We are not all living the same lives in the same bodies... what works for someone else might not necessarily work for you! Instead of jumping on the next band wagon, try giving yourself some quiet time and space to see what your body is intuitively telling you it needs. Keep things simple: Eat, sleep, and move your body, all with intention, moderation, and curiosity.

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What conditions or concerns do you most enjoy treating?

• ​As a mom of 2 young kids, I love treating moms and moms-to-be for fertility support (including IUI and IVF cycles), pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, sciatica and swelling, postpartum recovery and beyond. I also love treating acute and chronic pain since there's nothing better than seeing immediate relief on my patients' faces after an acupuncture treatment. Additionally, I have a passion for treating symptoms that fall under the "Liver Qi stagnation" and "Blood deficiency" categories which could include headaches and migraine, stress, anxiety and depression, irritability, insomnia, anemia and menstrual issues.​​

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Describe your treatment style in 3 words:

• ​Curiosity fosters growth.​

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What’s something you’ve learned from your patients?

• ​Having an open-mind and being open to change is the first step towards feeling better. Some of the advice Chinese Medicine offers feels very foreign and sometimes even challenging to adopt (like NO ICE WATER!), but I am always thrilled when people do put the medicine into practice outside of the clinic, and even more pleased when they come back to say "Wow, this really works"!

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of the clinic?

• ​I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, soaking up all of the creative arts that New Orleans offers us, and camping in Louisiana's state parks. I love reading, shopping second hand, and giving new life to old materials.

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Where in New Orleans do you go when you want to relax and replenish?

• Walking along the levee in Arabi or in Crescent Park always helps me reset and feel connected to nature.​