At Firebird Acupuncture, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality of traditional Chinese medicine. Maria Gorens is a Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist in the State of New York with 25 years of experience and Feng Shui Consultant. Maria has traveled through Asia, where she mastered ear, face, and body reading to diagnose diseases. Maria has developed a unique combination of pain treatment methods based on traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. Her main goal is to help patients to return to health and vitality. She is using traditional healing modalities obtained in her travels to relieve pain and suffering and enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Sandy Root, AP, L.Ac., MSTOM, a FL & NY State Licensed Acupuncturist, graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York with her Master’s in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2009.

Sandy had clinical experience practicing acupuncture at the Saint Vincent’s Hospital -HIV Clinic, the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases – Initiative for Women with Disabilities, NYU Medical Center, and Pacific College Acupuncture Clinic, and now her own practice in Miami Beach, FL. She is also certified in Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.



Sandy loves to integrate the science, art, and wisdom of acupuncture into her practice. With her personal study of spiritual & consciousness practices, Sandy has the ability to facilitate and create a space where her patients are driven to empower themselves through the medicine. In the life-long learning this medicine allows, Sandy is excited to continually integrate new ideas into her practice, and generate a community where her patients can continue their path to self-awareness, in body and mind.

I began my study of Chinese medicine in the late 1980's. I was first drawn to the vast richness and depth of Chinese medicine through my practice of classical martial arts. Over the decades, I learned various methods of hands-on therapies for the treatment of injuries that would occur during training. I also learned how herbal medicine has been safely and effectively used for millenia to support athletic training. After completing my undergraduate degree and working for a few years as a translator I realized my true calling was in the study and practice of Chinese Medicine.


I received my Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2001 and completed a sports medicine and orthopedics internship treating collegiate athletes at the University of California, San Diego. After obtaining my California State Acupuncture license in 2002, I began to actively study Classical Chinese Medicine under Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist physician and priest. I continue to study with Dr. Yuen to this day with the belief that it is my responsibility to keep growing as a physician for the sake of my patients. The rich tradition that Dr. Yuen teaches has allowed me to successfully help many patients with difficult neurological complaints, autoimmune disorders and a wide range of functional diseases.

I have personally experienced the shortcomings of the conventional medical system which primarily focuses on the suppression of symptoms and the disempowerment of patients. This motivated me to devote my practice to empowering my patients to take back control of their health and break free from their dependency on medications.

I use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, tui na, qi gong, and dietary therapy integrated with functional medicine (customized lab work) to decipher the mystery of each unique patient. Although it is a challenging path, I find it immensely rewarding and cannot imagine doing anything else.


I have practiced and taught classical Chinese martial arts and health practices in the US and internationally for decades. A student at heart, I spend much of my free time reading or thinking about how to be a better physician for my patients. My goal is ultimately to help unlock the miraculous healing capacity that is contained in every individual.


Since beginning my practice in 2002 I've worked closely with many primary care doctors, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and gasteroenterologists to provide heart-felt care to thousands of patients.

As an acupuncturist and hypnotherapist, my goal is to act as a catalyst for positive change in every patient. I specialize in a unique treatment that I refer to as "hypnoacupuncture," which is a combination of acupuncture and hypnotherapy. Combining the power of hypnosis with acupuncture has proven to create treatments that are effective on all levels: physical, mental, and emotional. Many patients describe these sessions as life-altering, and find them to be more deeply relaxing than anything they have ever experienced before. I treat many patients for weight-loss and smoking cessation, but I have found that these combination sessions of hypnosis and acupuncture can benefit endless issues, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. At Healing Point Therapeutics, my mission is to have every patient leave the treatment table prepared to reach their highest potential in health and well-being.

Promoting great health using Traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, practical lifestyle tips with an emphasis on positive living.