Ryan Altman, L.Ac./ HHP
Ryan Altman, L.Ac., HHP is the Founder and Executive Director of the Alternative Healing Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that promotes the use of integrative healing to the public and improves access to care. While studying Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Ryan created the San Diego Healing Arts Festival, a free community event that brings music and healing together, allowing a fun and accessible forum to teach the public about integrative health care.
Later he worked to bring these healing techniques directly to the under-served communities who needed it the most. With the help of a growing team of volunteer practitioners and affiliations with Pacific College, Concorde Career College, IPSB, Bellus Academy, and UCSD – School of Medicine, he created a series of “Integrative Health Nights” at local community centers to offer free “integrative” health services to the under-served community.
In June 2008, Ryan selected his team of practitioners and created Adams Avenue Integrative Health (AAIH). As a project of the Alternative Healing Network, AAIH is a community oriented integrative health center that operates on a sliding scale to make integrative health services available and affordable to everyone. The proceeds from AAIH go to support the free Integrative Health Nights.
Additionally, Ryan is a graduate of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He practices a combination of Classical Japanese acupuncture with Reiki, offering gentle, energetic treatments that follow meridian theory while using lighter gauge needles and a shallow insertion. This is good for anyone who may be a bit more needle sensitive. Ryan also incorporates “tui na“, a Chinese therapeutic massage technique, and “moxabustion” or heated herb therapy into most treatments.
Dr. Dave McCann, D.C.
Dr. Dave McCann, D.C. (Clinical Director) is a 1997 honors graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis. His background in engineering prepared him well for his systematic, yet highly creative approach to working with the human body. His extensive study of Applied Kinesiology gives him an excellent knowledge of the muscular system and how it relates to not only the skeleton, but also to the organs and the energy meridians of the body. Through his use of kinesiology, or “muscle testing”, he discovers the hidden causes of dis-ease in his patients.
In addition to being an extraordinary chiropractor, Dr. Dave has a passion for nutrition. His use of the Biomeridian device, which extensively tests the health of the body’s various systems via 58 acupuncture meridian points, paired with his clinical experience, enables him to find the appropriate nutritional protocol for any health issue.
Dr. Dave’s humor and compassion go far to creating a healing atmosphere for anyone fortunate enough to be on his table.
Michelle Coltart, L.Ac.
Michelle Coltart, L.Ac. discovered the Chinese healing art of Acupuncture in the early 1990’s while working in the computer industry. After a co-worker suggested she get a treatment, she realized her true calling. She fell in love with this healing modality, instantly impressed by the effect it had on the health and wellbeing of herself and those she cares for. She began her studies by attending seminars and reading every book she could find; a few years later she left the world of computing and returned to school to explore the wonders of this medicine in-depth. Along the way, she has studied nutrition, herbology, postural analysis, and medical qi gong.
Michelle’s passion for this medicine shows in her commitment to her patients. Her compassion, humor and gentle needle technique set people at ease. She delights that those she treats are as amazed by the effect as she first was.
Christopher "Erich" Cook, L.Ac.
Christopher “Erich” Cook, L.Ac., CMT. is a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He has been studying holistic medicine since the age of 17. He holds a Masters degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and is certified in numerous complementary modalities including Reiki, massage therapy, flower essences, and ThetaHealing™.
Erich has worked with patients at UCSD’s Owen Clinic, an HIV/AIDS outpatient treatment center, and at San Diego’s free senior’s clinic. He has also studied with respected master herbalist Zi Chen Guo in Hebei, China. His special areas of interest are HIV/AIDS care, pain management, facial acupuncture, and herbal medicine.
Sean Figge, HHP, CMT
Sean Figge, HHP, CMT has had a strong interest in massage and body work from a very young age, practicing massage since he was 14 years old. He has always been interested in healing through herbs and touch, and has studied it informally from high school age on. After coming to San Diego, he discovered the Mueller College of Holistic Studies and began his formal training in many different modalities, including deep tissue, Tui Na, Shiatsu, Swedish and facilitated stretching. After graduating from Mueller massage as a Holistic Health Practitioner, Sean has continued to accumulate knowledge through hands on training and intensive studying. Through years of practice, Sean has created his own approach to integrative massage customized to his clients’ needs. As a member of Adams Avenue Integrative Health, he has continued doing what he loves, working in the field of health, with like minded practitioners to develop a customized protocol for each individual patient’s needs.
Karen Anne Hayes, L.Ac.
Karen Anne Hayes L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine. She received her medical training from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California. Karen has treated patients in a wide variety of settings including community style clinics, hospice care, pediatric hematology/oncology, senior care, natural disaster relief work, addiction recovery support, and private practice. Also an avid student and practitioner of ThetaHealing, Karen brings this powerful intuitive healing energy work to her practice and way of life. It is her sincere privilege to participate in her patient’s self-care, well-being, ongoing return to wholeness, and the quality of life they are seeking.
Robin Persinger, L.Ac.
Robin Persinger, L.Ac. Her first experience with alternative therapies was from her father as a child. He had, and still has to this day, a closet full of tinctures, teas, vitamins and a myriad of other old folk cures and modern natural marvels. Inspired by the amazing healing powers of acupuncture and natural cures, she now has over 15 years of education and devotion and continues the pursuit for growth and knowledge in the field.
Received her under-graduate education from Bastyr University in Seattle, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Natural Health Sciences, then her graduate degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. She has worked at several specialized satellite clinics including the Pacific Beach Homeless Clinic, the Seniors Clinic in downtown San Diego, and a HIV specific shift in Seattle Washington, and started her private practice in 2006. She is a strong advocate of AAIH’s mission statement and is honored to be a part of the movement towards affordable healthcare and the continued integration and education of alternative therapies in the community.
Don Phillips, L.Ac.
Don Phillips, L.Ac. is a licensed Acupuncturist, but that only tells a small part of the story. When you are fortunate to have Don working on you, you receive not only a wonderful acupuncture treatment, but amazing energy work as well. Having been in private practice since March of 2003, he is experienced in cases ranging from pain to internal medicine to psycho/social disorders.
His interest in acupuncture and Oriental medicine began in massage school during a survey of Asian massage modalities class. After graduating from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in 2002, Don became a member of the faculty in 2005. He teaches in the OM/Acupuncture department on the subject of channel theory in acupuncture. Don also assists in supervising at the Seniors Clinic in downtown San Diego, the Pacific Beach Homeless Clinic, and the Integrative Health Nights (a collaborative effort with PCOM and the Alternative Healing Network).
Don’s gentle touch combined with his warm presence make any session a healing experience.
Dan Pulido studied energy healing for two years at Matrix Light Institute, which features an emphasis on healing the healer to be as clear a vessel as possible, in the service of others.
Dan is also a trained Family & Systemic Constellation facilitator. The Constellation process is a heart-centered method of phenomenological observation of the dynamics between people as participants in trans-generational family, or other social systems, with the intention to focus on, and to foster the flow of love. Components of the practice of Energy Healing, and of the Constellation, are incorporated into Dan’s sessions, to address disturbances, or blocks, in the energetic profile of the whole person as a physical, emotional, and spiritual being.
Kira Underwood, MT
Kira Underwood is a Nationally Certified, California-state Licensed Massage Therapist and has completed her training at an accredited, 720-hour program at the National Holistic Institute. During the 10-months of training, she studied both eastern and western modalities including swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, shiatsu and myofascial therapy, as well as anatomy and kinesiology. The type of bodywork she offers as “therapeutic” combines multiple modalities, but tends to lean more towards deep tissue/sports massage, depending on your body.
The past two years have been spent working in California’s finest sports resorts, the Western Athletic Clubs. From the San Francisco Bay Club to the currently held position at San Diego’s Pacific Athletic Club in Del Mar, Kira works with an array of clientele providing services catered to their individual needs.
She is also an avid runner, stay active outdoors, and has been involved in volleyball and softball for many years and particularly enjoys working with active people who want to improve their performance and overall physical well-being through massage. Her passion varies from working with athletes and injury rehabilitation to relaxation massage. She currently is continuing her education at UCSD in Exercise Science.
Kira offers a combination of therapeutic and relaxing massage, with a soothing quality of touch.
Alex Volzer, MT
Alex Volzer is a strong proponent of Integrative Medicine and specializes in evidence-based massage and compassionate touch. Hergoal when working with clients is to help them feel at home in their own bodies once again, and feel safe. She combines a background in therapeutic and medical massage with a goal of relaxation in helping these clients.
Alex’s passion for health care started early. She grew up surrounded by medical tragedies and watched the people she loved suffer immensely. In her early 20′s, she became very ill herself and knew that it was time to use the knowledge that she had spent years reading about. So, she moved to California to see a Naturopathic doctor and enrolled in Mueller College to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. Alex currently practices Integrative Massage, Swedish Massage, Comfort Touch, Thai Massage, Myofascial Release, and light Reiki and/or holding.
Heidi Wittmann, N.D.
Heidi Wittmann, N.D.
Dr. Heidi Wittmann is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of California.
Her clinical practice has included extensive experience in integrative and complementary medicine. She specializes in treating adults and children with allergies, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, anxiety and depression, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, menopause, PMS, fatigue, and diabetes, among other conditions.
“I truly enjoy and treasure the interaction with my patients. It would be my pleasure to work with you as a partner to optimize your health.” – Dr. Heidi
Rachael Yancey, H.H.P./ C.M.T.
Rachael Yancey, H.H.P., C.M.T
Rachael has been a practicing massage therapist for 11 years. She earned her HHP in 2003 from The International Professional School of Bodywork, here in San Diego. Her work is grounded in her training in Swedish and Deep Tissue Bodywork, but incorporates Trigger Point/Neuromuscular Therapy, Shiatsu and Thai Massage into her sessions. Her work can best be described as “Intuitive Deep Tissue”. She works with the clients as individuals with different needs, and treats every session as an opportunity to facilitate healing and learning. Rachael strongly believes in the integrative health model and is excited to be working along side the team at Adams Ave Integrative Health.
Rachael is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She has a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Colorado and was a social worker for five years.