Meridians - A Center for the Healing Arts

Reggi Norton , M.Ac., L.Ac., has been a practicing Five Element Acupuncturist in the Washington Metropolitan area for over 15 years. After obtaining a Masters degree in Acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, MD, she has utilized this classic form of treatment to modify the balance of body, mind, and spirit in her clients, helping them deal with both acute and chronic issues in their lives.

She has incorporated "Allergy Elimination" protocols into her practice utilizing NAET, BioSET, JMT, and Core Energetics techniques. Mastering these techniques has allowed her to more effectively treat such conditions as chronic sinusitis, asthma, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and chronic immune disorders. She has a particular interest in treating children, using these techniques with acupressure to promote their general health and deal with such issues as allergies and behavioral and attention problems.

She also utilizes NeuroEmotional Technique (NET), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT). Her training and experience in classical "Five Element" Acupuncture and the development of expertise in these newer techniques has provided her with the tools for helping her patients achieve their optimal balance of mind, body, and spirit.

As her horizons expanded, she came to realize the need for a multidisciplinary holistic heath center in this area. Thus, in 2002, she founded Meridians ~ A Center for the Healing Arts.

Dr. Karen DiBlasio promotes spinal health and wellness with gentle, effective chiropractic care. She utilizes her traditional training as well as advanced training in Torque Release Technique (www.torquerelease.com). The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health based on the principle that the body's self-healing power, your mind-body connection, is integrated through the nervous system. Dr. DiBlasio educates her patients not only about how this system works but also how to restore and maintain its integrity. As a patient you will be given a thorough evaluation and program of care which includes a state-of-the-art computerized spinal screening. This technology provides an objective measurement of your progress. If you or your loved ones have been challenged with pain, symptoms, or dis-ease come experience the benefits of chiropractic care. If you have been blessed with a symptom-free life and want to continue on this path, then chiropractic is the perfect decision for you and your family.

Dr. DiBlasio is a 1998 summa cum laude graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West and an active member of the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. She strives to help you surpass your health-care goals, offering healthy choices for better living today.

Rebecca Greenberg, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM)

Rebecca Bowne Greenberg, M.Ac, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM), B.A., is a board certified Acupuncturist. She received her Masters of Acupuncture from the TAI-SOPHIA Institute in Columbia, MD.

During her four year intense Masters program, Rebecca received special training in Five Element Acupuncture- a philosophy of treatment that focuses on balancing the bodymindspirit to coincide with the cyclical forces of nature.

Rebecca interned in various neighborhood addiction sites in Baltimore County to help people curb and successfully kick the addictions of drugs/alcohol through the use of Acupuncture. In Washington, DC, Rebecca volunteered at the SIGN OF JONAH - a free clinic available to help those living with HIV/AIDS. Patients are able to live longer and obtain a higher quality of life through the techniques of Acupuncture and Moxibustion which helps with pain management, neuropathy, and by keeping their immune systems up.

Rebecca's main focus during her residency in the student clinic was working with the side effects of chemotherapy and the effects of metastatic breast cancer.

Rebecca's current practice at Meridians is wide and varied- i.e., Migraine Headaches, Arthritis, Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Depression, Women's Health, Sexual Dysfunction, Neuralgia, etc.

Rebecca welcomes all to come and experience the profound and life-altering benefits of Acupuncture.

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Njemile Carol Jones, L.Ac., MTOM, is a licensed acupuncturist trained in Chinese herbology. She graduated with honors from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego , California in 1999. She is Board Certified in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She is licensed to practice in Maryland , the District of Columbia and California . For more than 20 years, Njemile worked as a public radio producer and now she brings a deep interest in supporting inner growth, optimum health and balance to her practice. Chinese Medicine appeals to her because it is designed to treat the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – at every stage of life, from birth to death.

During the four year graduate program, Njemile treated a variety of patients who wanted help with musculoskeletal pain, menopausal complaints, insomnia, depression, anxiety, immune disorders, drug detox and weight loss. She also spent three afternoons per week at the San Diego Hospice providing acupuncture treatments to patients and their families.

After she returned to the metro D.C. area, Njemile chose to focus on treating gynecological conditions. She received special training in women’s health in San Diego with instructors at Pacific College and the late TCM Gynecologist, Dr. Yitian Ni . Most recently, Njemile has studied and worked with Randine Lewis, Ph.D., L.Ac. Dr. Lewis is the author of The Infertility Cure, and the founder of The Fertile Soul retreats. Njemile works with Dr. Lewis and her staff to provide ongoing care to women from the D.C. area who attend the retreats. Here at Meridians, Njemile specializes in Fertility Enhancement, treating women who are preparing for IVF or IUI, and women who want to conceive naturally. Njemile also has experience treating menstrual disorders, hormonal imbalance, complications associated with uterine fibroids, and symptoms associated with menopause.

Treatments typically include acupuncture, moxibustion (the dried herb mugwort is used to warm up points in order to stimulate the flow of qi ), Chinese herbal formulas tailored to individual needs and constitution, nutritional and lifestyle guidance, and Tui Na massage.

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Rachel B. Sand, Psy.D is a psychologist with a private health
psychology practice specializing in stress and pain management
and the balancing of mind/body/spirit towards natural well being.

Dr. Sand is trained in traditional clinical psychology, hypnosis, and
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) with an
emphasis in cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches as well as Thought Field Therapy (TFT), the Emotional Freedom Technique
(EFT), and Negative Affect Erasing Method (NAEM), among other
energy psychology techniques.

Dr. Sand is a member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy
Psychology (ACEP), the Energy Therapy Network of the Mid-Atlantic
States, and the National Institute for the clinical Application of
Behavioral Medicine (NICABM).

Brenda Marcial is a member of the International Reflexology Association and has been trained in the Ingram Method, which is the benchmark of all Reflexology practice. Miss Marcial has lived and was educated in Madrid ,

Spain

where she experienced alternative therapy since her youth. She holds a Masters degree in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University and has recently decided to open up her own business as a Certified Reflexologist. She offers both 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes of relaxing hands and feet reflexology “I want to give back to the community that has been very generous to me by helping people reach a state of relaxation and experience a peaceful existence through reflexology.”

Rani George has been involved with and practicing energy therapy for over 10 years. Her awareness of energy and its movement grew spontaneously out of her meditation practice. In trying to better understand her growing sensitivity she was led to study and train in various modalities such as Reiki, Pranic Healing, Polarity, Healing Touch, Shiatsu, Reflexology and Cranio-Sacral Therapy. She is certified in advanced bioenergy training with Mietek and Margaret Wirkus. As a Reiki Master/Teacher she is intuitively led to incorporate various aspects of all these practices in sessions and classes with her clients. Her personal spiritual practices (which include meditation, guided visualizations, fluid energy movement, sacred dance and yoga) allow for her own deepening; these practices also add to her sensitivity and awareness to assist others on their life paths.

She is currently engaged in a year-long training for systemic family constellation work.

Beth is certified as a Master Healer in Bodybreath Healing™ and Reiki. She is a nationally certified massage therapist, licensed in NY, DC, VA and MD. She is certified in Breath of the Soul™, P.E.E.R. (Primary Emotional Energy Recovery), and the Bach Flower Essences for people and animals. She also holds certification in Herbalism and Nutrition.

Her practice incorporates Energy Healing, Integrative Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Craniosacral Therapy, Zero Balancing, Meditation and Mindfulness Training, Bach Flower Essences, Emotional Release and Inner Child Work. Her work with animals incorporates energy healing, intuitive guidance and flower essences. Beth also facilitates classes and workshops on a wide variety of health and healing topics, including Meditation & Mindfulness, Lifestyle Restructuring, Breath of the Soul™, Bodybreath Healing™ and Bach Flower Essences.

As a healer trained in multiple modalities, Beth provides her clients with insight and tools to help them listen more deeply to what is present on all levels – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. From these discoveries, she assists each client in creating a self-care action plan to bring them into balance – relieving physical pain, releasing mental stress and letting go of suffering in order to attain a higher level of wellness. She also offers tools, which facilitate moving into a more heart-centered way of being.

Working with Beth, clients discover ways to move through their daily lives with increased joy and consciousness, as well as begin to uncover the big picture of their own journey. Beth believes that every life transition provides an opportunity to increase awareness, uncover new truths and learn to overcome blocks to happiness. Her own experience working with and overcoming fibromyalgia, migraines, childhood trauma and loss have given her great confidence in the human potential to heal and transform. She brings that knowledge to her work, supporting her clients as they manage both major and minor life shifts. Beth continues to pursue her own soul’s evolution and journey into the heart; this is the catalyst for the work she brings forth to share with others. She holds the heart as the key that unlocks the door to healing and transformation.

Jim Goodwin is a gifted medical intuitive, licensed professional counselor,
and experienced educator. Jim earned his masters degree in counseling
from John Hopkins University and combines eighteen years experience in
the educational and mental health professions.

Through what he considers gifts of discernment and healing, Jim views
the aura unique to each individual. Jim is able to see the energy blocks
that facilitate diagnosis of physical, emotional, and spiritual unhealth.
He also recognizes areas of strength and resilience as resources to
enhance healing, growth and fuller expression of one's gifts.

Jim's unique approach to medical intuition encompasses a wide range
of healing techniques which he tailors to each client's individual needs.
These include counseling, aura reading, guided imagery, Reiki-Sekheim,
exploration of spirituality, shamanic healing techniques, and
somatic experiencing.

Whether you are facing a physical illness, struggling with life's challenges
or searching for greater value in your life, Jim's skills and grounding belief
in the connection of mind, body, and spirit can help you regain optimal
health.

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Hilde Groves is a natural health consultant who offers several services in the holistic health field. Her interest in energy healing and natural health techniques spans almost twenty years. She has practiced Transcendental Meditation for thirty years, and has taken many trainings in relaxation techniques. Hilde is a master in both traditional Usui and in William Rand's Karuna Reiki®, and has trained in Quantum Touch. She often combines these healing arts during an energy healing session.

Hilde earned a Bachelor in Natural Health Studies from Clayton College in January, 2007, and is currently studying Traditional Naturopathy in a combined MS/PhD program. This is complementary, not conventional, medicine, and therefore Hilde does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Instead, she educates clients in natural ways to strengthen their bodies through healthy nutrition and lifestyle in order to activate their innate self-healing abilities. Topics for natural health consultation include, but are not limited to: holisitc nutrition, systemic yeast overgrowth, parasites, food sensitivities, common allergies, enzyme therapy, gentle detoxification methods, children's issues, auto-immune disease, chronic disease, herbal medicine, and homeopathy.

For persistent food, cigarette or other cravings, Hilde gives instruction in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). This acupressure technique involves tappping sequentially on acupuncture meridian end-points while addressing a distressing thought, or craving. EFT can help with weight-control, anxiety, addictions, phobias, depression, pain, illness symptoms, AD/HD, PTSD, OCD, and many other conditions. EFT is especially helpful for food cravings that threaten the success of a new healthy diet. EFT can improve work, sports, school and creative arts performance. It does not involve drugs or special equipment, is easily learned and often works when nothing else will. It has long-lasting effects and benefits most people.

As an adjunct to gentle detoxification, Hilde offers the FootSpa® which is an innovative machine that draws internal toxins out through the feet while they rest in a lined, saltwater footbath with an ionizing machine called an array. She encourages having a session of energy healing, massage, chiropractic, or acupuncture before the FootSpa® session to prompt a deeper release of toxins, and to create a eater sense of well-being.

Hilde's healing techniques help create a wellness plan to benefit and support mind, body and spirit. Her goal is to empower her clients with the knowledge to obtain optimal health.

Jody brings to Meridians 20 years combined experience in nursing and counseling. She graduated from the State College of NY (SUNY) at Alfred in Alfred, NY, where she received an AAS degree in Human Services in 1988 and became a registered nurse in 1995. She has worked in both the conventional and holistic/alternative health fields. Her experience includes providing individual and group counseling, presenting workshops, writing training programs and being a classroom instructor. Jody will be certified in June as a Holistic Health Counselor by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Through this training, she has learned to integrate the best of traditional diets such as macrobiotic and Ayurvedic with current dietary theories such as The Zone and Raw Living Foods. Her training also covers current trends in nutrition presented by some of the most well known nutritional experts, such as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Deepak Chopra.

Jody knows first hand the incredible impact nutrition can have on improving one’s health. She struggled for a number of years with a number of health challenges and found her greatest healing came when she made significant nutritional changes. Because of her own personal journey, she is very passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with others.

At Meridians, Jody will be offering a six month health counseling program, where she will work with clients individually or in groups to help support them in improving their health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Through her knowledge of many dietary theories, she can help clients find a healthy way of eating that fits their individuality and lifestyle. She will also be offering classes on a wide variety of topics related to nutrition, health and living a more balanced life.

Laurie Friedman is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and has been working with clients since 2000, helping them to reach Personal and Professional Goals. She uses Coaching and Self-hypnosis to help people to define and live their dreams. She is passionate about helping people to live authentic lives that they love. From 2002-2005 she ran THE PARENT RESOURCE SERIES at Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center, bringing expert panelists to discussions on Special Needs and General Parenting issues. Programs covered topics on developmental delay, Sensory Integration, Language and Auditory Processing, Autism, Allergies, Sleep, ADD/ADHD and more. Laurie's claim to fame, however, is her never failing resourcefulness. Some say, "Whatever I need to know or find, Laurie is the one to call. If she doesn't know the answer, she'll know where to start the investigation." What does she say about Hypnosis? It is soooo much fun! Laurie lives in Bethesda with her Husband, Henry, and kids Noah and Sadie.

Her training includes the Newfield Network's Coaching for Professional and Personal Mastery (CPPM 2000), BrainGym for Moms 2005 and Ericksonnian Brief Outcome Hypnotherapy 2007 through American Hypnotherapy Training Institute. Her traditional education includes a BS in Business and Marketing from the University of Maryland.

Kendra graduated from The University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Kinesiological Science degree and from the Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington , DC . She has been in practice in Maryland since 1998. She is an Internationally Certified Neuromuscular Therapist American Version and has been on staff of The Neuromuscular Therapy Center in St. Petersburg , Florida , since 2000.

Kendra specializes in deep tissue, NeuroMuscular Therapy American Version fascial release and Lymph Drainage. The focus of her practice is acute and chronic pain issues and her goal is to improve body performance and balance of movement to reduce the likelihood of injuries and decrease pain.

Kendra presented a paper for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, Inc. Educational Conference – The Role of Massage for Brain Injury; 2005 and has had a paper titled -Interdisciplinary Care Including Massage in Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis accepted by the Journal of Bodywork and Movement. She is working on a second paper at this time. She volunteered her time this summer and fall as a docent for “BODIES...The Exhibition” to help educate the public about health choices and their bodies. While a student at The University of Maryland, Kendra volunteered as a member of The President’s Commission on Disability Issues.

Barbara Mallon