Karta also known as Ibolya E. Laar, completed The Master of Science in Acupuncture (MS-Ac) program at New York’s Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), the biggest acupuncture college in the USA. In this program where East meets West, Karta studied the clinical practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in our modern world. She is well trained in the practical application of cupping, gua sha (a scraping technique), moxibustion (heat therapy), the use of electric stimulation (e-stim) and the Chinese body work Tui Na. In addition, Karta is a recent graduate of massage therapy from PCOM as well. Upon completion of this hands-on program she refined her sensitivity to the muscles and joints of the human body enhancing her therapeutic touch.
In her private acupuncture practice Karta teaches her patients pain management and successfully treats shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain, sprains or strains and post-surgery pain including joint replacements. She also treats any type of emotional disturbances such as, anxiety, nervous disorders or the inability to sleep. She promotes and supports fruitful fertility, alleviates painful menstruation, and eliminates PMS symptoms like irritability, anger, cramps, headaches or bloating. In addition she balances the digestive system by relieving constipation, acid reflux, bloating, nausea or gas, and has great results in the management and prevention of allergic reactions such as runny nose, burning eyes, itching, sneezing and/or skin rashes such eczema or acne. Her specialty is assessing and successfully implementing lasting lifestyle modifications that will suite your specific needs.
Last but not least, Karta through the practice of Kundalini Yoga for the past 15 years has been able to consolidate inner virtues such as patience, personal integrity, self-esteem, and compassion for the soul purpose of promoting a healthy happy life. The practice of this self-cultivating discipline is the distinguishing factor of her healing arts. After a good days work she enjoys long conversations with her daughter, who is currently a student in Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, about the mysticism of Chinese Medicine and spirituality.

Shannon Caperton, L.Ac was inspired to become an acupuncturist after witnessing the power of this type of medicine. It improved the health of family members struggling with health issues and who were bereft of relief using standard medical care.

She attended graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago where she earned her Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. During her time in Chicago she was privileged to work in underserved communities at the Project Vida clinic in the Little Villages neighborhood on the city’s west side, as well as at Chicago Women's Health Center. In addition to these experiences, she worked extensively in the school’s student clinic, which prepared her for working with a diverse population and gave her the experience to treat a wide variety of disorders.

Shannon is nationally certified by the NCCAOM, as well as licensed by the Ohio Medical Board.

Introduction:
Dr. Lexy Ballinger is a highly skilled practitioner specializing in acupuncture and holistic healthcare. With a strong background in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dr. Ballinger brings a unique and comprehensive approach to patient care. Her expertise is enhanced by her extensive experience as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) for over 25 years. Driven by a deep commitment to healing and patient well-being, she is dedicated to providing personalized and integrative treatments that address the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health.

About:
Dr. Lexy Ballinger is a trusted practitioner at Phoenix Rising Acupuncture, where she combines her NCCAOM certification in acupuncture with her extensive background in critical care nursing. Her holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, and she believes in the importance of addressing the root causes of health imbalances. With her strong foundation in Western medicine, Dr. Ballinger is adept at integrating her knowledge of conventional treatments with the ancient healing art of acupuncture.

Having spent over two decades in the ICU, Dr. Ballinger has gained a deep understanding of the complexities of health and the impacts of acute and chronic illnesses. Her experience in critical care has shaped her compassionate and patient-centered approach, enabling her to provide comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions. She takes the time to listen attentively to her patients, ensuring a thorough understanding of their unique health challenges.

Dr. Ballinger's passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture stems from witnessing the transformative power of these modalities in her own patients. She believes in empowering individuals to take an active role in their well-being and strives to educate and support them on their healing journey. Her treatments encompass acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle modifications, and nutritional guidance, tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual.

After working the past 20 years as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of healthcare settings from hospital based rehabilitation clinics to home care service, I became interested in approaching healing from a different perspective in order to help people become empowered about their health on all levels. I found acupuncture to resonate with my belief that medicine should be judged in terms of how effective it is in understanding and treating the problem as the patient experiences it.

Michael has worked in the healing arts for over 20 years. In addition to being a National Board Certified Acupuncturist, he is a licensed Massage Therapist and Traditional Reiki Master. He developed and has been teaching the Massage Therapy Program at Stark State College in Canton for over 15 years. His gentle and educational style has helped people with a wide variety of symptoms from pain, infertility, stress and much more.