Meet Dr. Michelle Iona, the accomplished and compassionate driving force behind Healing Points Acupuncture & Wellness Center in picturesque Riverhead, New York. With a profound connection to the captivating world of Chinese medicine, Dr. Iona embarked on her personal healing journey more than three decades ago, guided by the transformative power of acupuncture. Today, she is renowned for her expertise and serves as a beacon of hope and transformation for her patients.
Dr. Iona’s quest for knowledge led her to earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences and Oriental Medicine. Driven by her passion, she obtained her Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the esteemed NCCAOM and later pursued her Doctorate from the prestigious Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California.
As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and experienced clinical herbalist, Dr. Iona has honed her skills in the field. She has also obtained certifications in NADA detox therapy and specializes in the art of Facial Rejuvenation and Cosmetic Acupuncture. With licenses held in New York, Florida, and North Carolina, she extends her healing touch across multiple states.
Driven by a deep desire to understand the profound impact of nutrition on well-being, Dr. Iona delved into the realm of functional medicine. Her dedication led her to study nutrition at the University of Western States and The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), where she is currently an IFM-Certified Practitioner candidate. Additionally, she is a certified SAAT practitioner, focusing on allergy desensitization and elimination techniques for various allergies, including alpha-gal, a common tick-borne illness.
Dr. Iona’s journey with misdiagnosed endometriosis ignited her passion for acupuncture. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle and adopting a mindful approach to nutrition, she faced debilitating pain. It was through a life-changing encounter with a skilled acupuncturist that she finally found the relief she had long sought. Through a comprehensive exploration of nutrition, lifestyle choices, sleep patterns, and relationships, she discovered the root cause of her symptoms. This firsthand experience revealed the transformative power of sound nutrition and lifestyle habits in reversing disease and fostering genuine healing. Today, Dr. Iona is dedicated to sharing this knowledge with others, empowering them on their paths to wellness.
With over two decades of clinical practice, Dr. Iona has become a skilled detective of health. Her mission is to unravel the mysteries behind chronic illnesses and guide her patients back to a life of health, vitality, and joy. Specializing in the treatment of challenging conditions, pain management, and women’s health and fertility, she applies a holistic approach that combines the principles of Chinese medicine, nutrition, and functional medicine to address the underlying causes of imbalance.
Dr. Iona’s exceptional expertise and compassionate nature have garnered recognition in esteemed publications. She has been sought after for interviews by notable newspapers such as U.S. News & World Report, The Northforker, and 27East. This recognition serves as a testament to her esteemed reputation and solidifies her position as a trusted authority in the realm of acupuncture and wellness.
A proud native of Long Island, Dr. Iona cherishes her downtime. She finds solace in running, taking long walks with cherished friends, immersing herself in a good book, rejuvenating yoga sessions, and cherishing moments with her loving husband and adorable fur babies.
Dr. Michelle Iona
Meet Dr. Michelle Iona, the accomplished and compassionate driving force behind Healing Points Acupuncture & Wellness Center in Riverhead, New York. With a profound connection to the captivating world of Chinese medicine, Dr. Iona embarked on her personal healing journey more than three decades ago, guided by the transformative power of acupuncture. Today, she is renowned for her expertise and serves as a beacon of hope and transformation for her patients.
Dr. Iona’s quest for knowledge led her to earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences and Oriental Medicine. Driven by her passion, she obtained her Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the esteemed NCCAOM and later pursued her Doctorate from the prestigious Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California.
As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and experienced clinical herbalist, Dr. Iona has honed her skills in the field. She has also obtained certifications in NADA detox therapy and specializes in the art of Facial Rejuvenation and Cosmetic Acupuncture. With licenses held in New York, Florida, and North Carolina, she extends her healing touch across multiple states.
Driven by a deep desire to understand the profound impact of nutrition on well-being, Dr. Iona delved into the realm of functional medicine. Her dedication led her to study nutrition at the University of Western States and The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), where she is currently an IFM-Certified Practitioner candidate. Additionally, she is a certified SAAT practitioner, focusing on allergy desensitization and elimination techniques for various allergies, including alpha-gal, a common tick-borne illness.
Dr. Iona’s journey with misdiagnosed endometriosis ignited her passion for acupuncture. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle and adopting a mindful approach to nutrition, she faced debilitating pain. It was through a life-changing encounter with a skilled acupuncturist that she finally found the relief she had long sought. Through a comprehensive exploration of nutrition, lifestyle choices, sleep patterns, and relationships, she discovered the root cause of her symptoms. This firsthand experience revealed the transformative power of sound nutrition and lifestyle habits in reversing disease and fostering genuine healing. Today, Dr. Iona is dedicated to sharing this knowledge with others, empowering them on their paths to wellness.
With over two decades of clinical practice, Dr. Iona has become a skilled detective of health. Her mission is to unravel the mysteries behind chronic illnesses and guide her patients back to a life of health, vitality, and joy. Specializing in the treatment of challenging conditions, pain management, and women’s health and fertility, she applies a holistic approach that combines the principles of Chinese medicine, nutrition, and functional medicine to address the underlying causes of imbalance.
Dr. Iona’s exceptional expertise and compassionate nature have garnered recognition in esteemed publications. She has been sought after for interviews by notable newspapers such as U.S. News & World Report, The Northforker, and 27East. She was also chosen as a Health Expert for Further Foods and had the pleasure of speaking with Jen Smiley of Wake Up & Read the Labels. These recognitions serves as a testament to her esteemed reputation and solidifies her position as a trusted authority in the realm of acupuncture and wellness.
A proud native of Long Island, Dr. Iona cherishes her downtime. She finds solace in exploring new places, learning new things, taking long walks with cherished friends, immersing herself in a good book, rejuvenating yoga sessions, and cherishing moments with her loving husband and adorable fur babies.
Ready to meet Michelle so she can help you find your best self?
Ready to meet Michelle so she can help you find your best self?
MICHELLE’S CV HIGHLIGHTS
Michelle is deeply committed to ongoing study and growth. Here are some of the highlights of her post-graduate training and education:
- In 2000, she had the pleasure of studying under Dr. Michael Smith and Carlos Alvarez at the Lincoln Recovery Center. She is a Certified NADA Detox Specialist.
- In 2016, Michelle began her Functional Medicine journey and enrolled in the University of Western States where she studied Nutrition and Functional Medicine.
- In 2017, she continued her studies in Functional Medicine at the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). After completing all seven modules (Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) and several Advanced Practice Modules including Gastrointestinal, Environmental Health/Detox, Immune, Hormone, Cardiometabolic and Bioenergetics/Energy, Michelle is currently a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner Candidate. She has completed several supplementary areas of study including thyroid and autoimmune, women’s health and infertility, gut health, prenatal care, and maternal health, cardiometabolic, and blood chemistry, and has studied under industry experts including Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Terry Wahls, Dr. Datis Kharrazian, Dr. Bryan Walsh and Kara Fitzgerald, ND.
- In 2018, she attended several courses including Fundamentals of Oncology Acupuncture and Advances in Oncology Acupuncture: Clinical Research & Side Effect Management at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
- Her ongoing desire to help others lead a pain-free life led her to study the nuances of pain management with well-known acupuncture professionals. This enabled her to utilize cutting-edge and natural pain-relieving modalities including the use of motor points, trigger points, neurofunctional acupuncture, and various bodywork techniques including cupping, gua sha, and tui na.
- Early on in her career, Michelle knew that women’s health would be a pillar of her practice due to her own healing journey. She completed a fertility internship with Dr. Randine Lewis, author, and founder of The Fertile Soul. She then went on to study The Arvigo Techniques of Mayan Abdominal Massage Therapy, an ancient Mayan healing technique that helps to eliminate the causes of reproductive and digestive complaints in both men and women.
- Cosmetic acupuncture and facial rejuvenation are also a passion of Michelle’s. She loves being able to reduce signs of aging while simultaneously revitalizing the whole body. As such, Michelle has studied alongside some of the best facial rejuvenation and cosmetic acupuncturists in the industry including Shelly Goldstein, Travall Croon, Ping Zhang, and Mary Elizabeth Wakefield.
- Michelle has been honored to be nominated and named DAN’S BEST OF THE BEST for the last seven years running in the categories of Acupuncture and Nutrition. She has also been nominated for Bethpage’s Best of Long Island in the categories of acupuncture, alternative medicine, holistic health, and nutrition.