Kristen Chew, L.Ac., CMT, CYT
Kristen Chew, L.Ac., CMT, CYT is a nationally certified and California licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Her approach to healing integrates the ancient wisdom of TCM with the modern technologies of frequency medicine and light therapy. Drawing on her background in therapeutic bodywork and her deep understanding of yoga asana, Kristen offers a holistic and personalized approach to care. As a general health practitioner, she addresses a broad range of health concerns and imbalances. Her areas of special interest include orthopedics and pain management, prenatal care, and preventative wellness.
Kristen holds a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego.
She has received extensive training under Dr. Edith Ubuntu Chan, DAOM, L.Ac., a leading voice in holistic sports medicine and the exploration of consciousness and human potential, best known for helping athletes achieve optimal health and peak performance. Kristen continues to expand her clinical knowledge in orthopedic acupuncture through advanced study with top practitioners in the field, including Jaime Chaves, L.Ac., widely regarded for his expertise in orthopedic assessment and integrating Eastern and Western approaches to musculoskeletal care. Kristen has also had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Angela C. Wu, L.Ac., O.M.D., a highly regarded specialist in women’s health and fertility with over 30 years of clinical experience.
In addition to her foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kristen has completed both the Core and Advanced training modules in Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) under Dr. Carolyn McMakin, the pioneer behind the development of FSM. She has also completed FSM Sports and FSM Sports Advanced training with Kim Pittis, LCSP, MT, director of FSM Sports and a respected educator and practitioner known for her work in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and integrative pain management.
Kristen has trained extensively in a broad range of Eastern and Western bodywork modalities. Her formal study began at the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai in Thailand and continued with in-depth training in Shiatsu and Tui Na at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her approach has also been shaped by Ortho-Bionomy, a gentle bodywork modality rooted in osteopathic principles that supports the body's natural ability to restore balance and ease. She has also expanded her practice through the study of Healing Touch, an energy-based therapy that uses light touch to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Before transitioning full-time into private practice, Kristen spent five years bringing holistic health and wellness into the workplace. Through corporate wellness programs, she provided acupuncture, bodywork, and yoga services to employees at a diverse range of companies, including Eventbrite, Publicis & Hal Riney, Keeping Your Balance, Gilead Sciences, Adobe, Visa, and Electronics for Imaging.
Although she is not currently teaching yoga, Kristen draws deeply from nearly 25 years of personal yoga practice and over a decade of teaching experience. Her personal and professional approach continues to be guided by the principles and practices she cultivated through diverse studies in Iyengar, Ashtanga, Forrest, and Restorative Yoga. She completed her 200-hour teacher training through Yoga Tree in 2006 and is a certified Advanced Relax and Renew® Restorative Trainer.
Kristen holds a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego.
She has received extensive training under Dr. Edith Ubuntu Chan, DAOM, L.Ac., a leading voice in holistic sports medicine and the exploration of consciousness and human potential, best known for helping athletes achieve optimal health and peak performance. Kristen continues to expand her clinical knowledge in orthopedic acupuncture through advanced study with top practitioners in the field, including Jaime Chaves, L.Ac., widely regarded for his expertise in orthopedic assessment and integrating Eastern and Western approaches to musculoskeletal care. Kristen has also had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Angela C. Wu, L.Ac., O.M.D., a highly regarded specialist in women’s health and fertility with over 30 years of clinical experience.
In addition to her foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kristen has completed both the Core and Advanced training modules in Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) under Dr. Carolyn McMakin, the pioneer behind the development of FSM. She has also completed FSM Sports and FSM Sports Advanced training with Kim Pittis, LCSP, MT, director of FSM Sports and a respected educator and practitioner known for her work in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and integrative pain management.
Kristen has trained extensively in a broad range of Eastern and Western bodywork modalities. Her formal study began at the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai in Thailand and continued with in-depth training in Shiatsu and Tui Na at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her approach has also been shaped by Ortho-Bionomy, a gentle bodywork modality rooted in osteopathic principles that supports the body's natural ability to restore balance and ease. She has also expanded her practice through the study of Healing Touch, an energy-based therapy that uses light touch to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Before transitioning full-time into private practice, Kristen spent five years bringing holistic health and wellness into the workplace. Through corporate wellness programs, she provided acupuncture, bodywork, and yoga services to employees at a diverse range of companies, including Eventbrite, Publicis & Hal Riney, Keeping Your Balance, Gilead Sciences, Adobe, Visa, and Electronics for Imaging.
Although she is not currently teaching yoga, Kristen draws deeply from nearly 25 years of personal yoga practice and over a decade of teaching experience. Her personal and professional approach continues to be guided by the principles and practices she cultivated through diverse studies in Iyengar, Ashtanga, Forrest, and Restorative Yoga. She completed her 200-hour teacher training through Yoga Tree in 2006 and is a certified Advanced Relax and Renew® Restorative Trainer.
Licenses
- California Licensed Acupuncturist #15510 (2013)
- NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture #152807 (2013)
Education
- Master of Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012)
- Bachelor of Arts, Applied Mathematics, University of California, San Diego (2000)
Certifications (partial list)
Acupuncture & TCM
- Neck Pain: Assessment & Treatment, Jaime Chaves, L.Ac. (2026)
- Intro to Segmental Acupuncture, Joshua Margolis, L.Ac., DOMTP (2026)
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy & Frozen Shoulder, Jaime Chaves, L.Ac. (2026)
- Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy, Jaime Chaves, L.Ac. (2025)
- Intro to Acupuncture and Manual Therapy for Spinal Movement Dysfunction, Joshua Margolis, L.Ac., DOMTP (2024)
- Essential Orthopedic Tests and Acupuncture Strategies for the Low Back and Hip, Jaime Chaves, L.Ac. (2024)
- Sports Acupuncture - Hip Flexor Muscles, Jenny Nieters, L.Ac, DACM (2023)
- Holistic Sports Medicine & Sports Performance Medicine, School of Dan Tian Wellness (2015)
- Manual Therapy Essentials: Connective Tissue Release, Jared Van Der Beek, L.Ac. (2015)
- The Best of Master Tung's Magic Points, Susan Johnson, L.Ac. (2015)
- Treatment of the Extremities, Devin Wu, DAOM, L.Ac., P.T. (2014)
- Advanced Constitutional Facial Acupuncture, Mary Elizabeth Wakefield (2012)
- Advanced Study Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China (2012)
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
- Frequency Specific Microcurrent Sports Advanced, Kim Pittis LCSP, MT (2024)
- Frequency Specific Microcurrent Sports, Kim Pittis LCSP, MT (2024)
- Frequency Specific Microcurrent Advanced Training, Dr. Carolyn McMakin (2022)
- Frequency Specific Microcurrent Core Training, Dr. Carolyn McMakin (2021)
Manual Therapy
- Subtle Perceptions, Connections and Healing - Ortho-Bionomy Phase 5 Energy Work, Sara Sunstein (2018)
- Internal Somatics, A New Way of Experiencing the World, Holly Reed (2013)
- Advanced Tui-Na, Manual Techniques & Conscious Bodywork, School of Dan Tian Wellness (2013)
- Fundamentals of Ortho-Bionomy, The Phase 4 Way, Holly Reed (2013)
- Ortho-Bionomy and PTSD, Richard Valasek (2013)
- Certified Massage Therapist - Shiatsu, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2010)
- Certified Massage Therapist - Tui-Na, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2010)
- Foundations and Therapeutic Thai Massage (Levels I-III), Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2007)
Energy Work & Sound Healing
- Healing Touch Course 3: Advanced Healer Preparation (2026)
- Healing Touch Course 2: Energetic Patterning and Clinical Applications (2025)
- Healing Touch Course 1: Foundations of Healing Touch (2025)
- Sing the Body Electric Sonic Anatomy Guide, Eileen McKusick, Thorald Koren, Isaac Koren (2024)
Yoga
- Certified Advanced Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga Trainer, Judith Hanson Lasater (2008)
- Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Tree (2006)
