Hi there! I’m Joanna, a licensed five element acupuncturist and East Asian herbalist, and founder of Milkweed Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. Through one-on-one inquiry and gentle needling, my individualized treatments seek to address the root causes of illness and discomfort, uncover new ease within our bodies, and connect us more deeply with ourselves. I practice with compassion, non-judgmental presence, and a commitment to constant learning. I am thrilled to bring my offerings to the Soft Space community. 

I first received acupuncture 20 years ago – and was immediately captivated by its precision, simplicity, and effectiveness. Around that time, I also began practicing yoga, meditation, and breath work, and reading about nutrition, health, inner development, wisdom traditions, and their areas of intersection. I’ve always been fascinated by the ways we care for ourselves, others, and the earth, and the ways we make meaning.

I initially pursued a career in environmental policy and community development, but soon realized – or rather, gathered the courage to admit to myself – that I most wanted to help individuals transform their lives from the inside out, one-on-one. In my early 20s I also began experiencing chronic pain from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, along with its host of related physical and emotional impacts. This experience continues to inspire and inform my work with a deeper appreciation of illness, healing, and finding wholeness and liberation within no matter the circumstances.

As a five element acupuncturist, my approach is thorough and grounded in compassion, connection, love, and the classical roots of East Asian medicine. In the treatment room, each unique lived experience is honored. Similar to Soft Space, my mission is to empower each person to meet life from a place of radical wellness, cultivate vitality and resilience, embody their authentic self, and manifest their potential. 

Born and raised in Watertown, MA, I am delighted and grateful to serve my home community of Greater Boston. I hold a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Earth Systems from Stanford University, and a Masters of Acupuncture and a Diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine from the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, FL. Outside the treatment room, I love to cook, talk and laugh with family and friends, spend as much time outdoors as I can, open-water swim in Walden Pond seasonally, and make nature-inspired art.