Vital Path Acupuncture is a Knoxville acupuncture and herbal clinic committed to helping patients achieve optimal health and vitality. We specialize in relieving chronic pain, reducing stress and anxiety, maintaining wellness and balance, and more.

I am an accomplished alternative healthcare professional, with over 22 years of hands on experience in the bodywork field. I am passionate about acupuncture because of what it has done for me personally, and the positive results that I have witnessed for so many of my patients. It is important to me as your practitioner, to provide a treatment plan that is unique to you, and supports your health goals. I usually ask that you commit to 3 treatments. Generally, results are experienced by then. At that time we will re-evaluate and determine which course of action is best.

I have been a licensed acupuncturist since 2003. My training includes TCM, Japanese and Acupuncture Physical Medicine. APM is a unique needle technique taught at Tri-State College. This technique uses a motion that releases muscle constriction and trigger points, thereby promoting the free flow of Qi. My experience includes treating a variety of medical conditions including but not limited to anxiety, depression, muscular conditions, sciatica, neck and back pain, tendonitis, asthma, headaches, neuropathy, sleep disorders, skin conditions and fertility. Primarily I use needles, but may also use cupping, guasha, and massage. I have experience with adults as well as children. I also take no-fault insurance and participate in some private insurances.

We Care..
Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, and Naturopathy Clinic
Our Caring fully registered practioner works with his patients to understand their current condition, medical history and contributing external factors, in order to ensure treatment plans are realistic and successful.

Welcome to Red Lotus Wellness Center, a Premier Integrative Medical Practice in Carlsbad and La Jolla.

On your first visit you will meet with one of our providers, where you can share your health concerns and they can learn about your unique health and wellness goals. If it feels like the right fit for you, they will perform a thorough examination, including a detailed medical history. The second visit to the office is a chance to review the results of the tests, performed and to present any abnormal findings. You will be given our best recommendation for resolving these problems and reaching your health and wellness goals. We take great care in listening keenly with each and every aspect of your health concerns, which allows us the confidence to know with certainty whether we can help or not, and our results speak for themselves; just take a look at our Testimonials Section.

John Howard completed his degree in acupuncture from the Maryland Institute of Traditional Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. John holds two professorships; one in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the other in Western Medicine from George Washington University (GWU). Professor (Prof) Howard lectured on suturing and minor trauma management.

Upon completion of his degree Prof Howard entered into a five-year fellowship with the US military under the direction of Dr. Richard Niemtzow, MD, PHD. Prof Howard is both a clinician and an Academician. As an academician, he provides national and international lectures in acupuncture and auriculotherapy. He has authored five books and 21 articles on these two fields. He is also dedicated to the promotion of knowledge and has been awarded the dissemination of seminal works of Dr. Raphael Nogier (The RAFT (Radial Artery Food Test) and of Dr. René Bourdiol (Elements of Auriculotherapy).

In 2014 Prof Howard served as the vice president of the 8th International Symposium of Auriculotherapy in the United States. In 2016 Prof Howard became a consultant for ZeroMed (a holistic medical goods company) to design auriculotherapy protocols. Currently he is the President of the United States branch of the Raphael Nogier School of Auriculotherapy.



Research

John is currently conducting studies on the use of Auriculotherapy in distance runners to enhance performance. Some of men on team USA who won the world 100k gold medal in the Nederland’s in 2011 used his protocol.