Andrea Shafir, L.Ac.
From earliest childhood, Andrea’s life path has been a journey of healing. Assisting other children and animals in distress led to a fascination and lifelong study of the anatomy and physiology of living creatures. During her pre-medical education at Oberlin College, Andrea studied therapeutic massage and women’s healthcare while pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Biology. Naturopathic medical training at Bastyr University deepened her understanding of health, wellness and dis-ease, while laying the foundation for an holistic model of optimal health.
Andrea then had the opportunity to study what she believes is the most comprehensive and effective system of healing during her time spent at Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) facilities in China. Upon return to the US, Andrea sought to continue the ancient tradition of the master/apprentice relationship, and was fortunate enough to study with both a highly accomplished Acupuncturist/Naturopath, Peter Stern, and a brilliant, beloved midwife, Lorraine Carolan. By the time she received licensure from the state of California in 1999, Andrea had treated thousands of patients with acupuncture and herbal medicine, and attended many births, both at home and in hospitals.
Her interest in diverse healing traditions have led her to study with masters from China, Japan, North America and Europe in the practice of Western medicine, cranio-sacral therapy, NMT, homeopathy, nutrition, tuina, Reiki, essential oil therapy, and the Emotional Freedom Technique. She offers patients her own unique blend of TCM and touch for all conditions, with a special interest in women’s health, teen support, stress-management and liberation from discomfort. Andrea also works with patients to release old patterns that do not promote a feeling of well-being, and to re-establish balance.
"I assist clients in removing physical and emotional obstacles to optimal wellness, which allows them to effectively move forward in their lives, feeling relaxed and energized." - Andrea Shafir
Michael "Booie" Volk, L.Ac.
Michael began his study of Chinese medicine and philosophy in the mid 1980’s while living as an exchange student in Taipei, Taiwan. After graduating with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Oberlin College in 1989, Michael attended the University of Washington, the Beijing Language Institute, and the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1991, Michael began working with Peter Stern N.D., L.Ac. at the Redwoods Rural Health Center in Redway, CA, becoming friends with Peter in a relationship that moved from assistant to apprentice to colleague. After assisting with the acupuncture and herbal care of thousands of patients, Michael began seeing his own clients as a clinical intern in 1996. Over the next three years he treated thousands of patients, gaining experience in the care of many common (and some not so common) medical conditions. This experience ranged from treatment of simple aches and pains to working collaboratively with M.D.’s and other professionals to provide holistic “team approach” care for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other serious chronic diseases. In 1998 Michael helped to found the Acupuncture Department at the Gerald Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville California, and became especially interested in the care of the aged while providing acupuncture care in the hospital Skilled Nursing Facility. Michael completed his California Acupuncture Board Exams in 1999, and has been providing care on the coast since 2000.
