I am a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist in the State of Maine. I grew up in South Portland, and after finishing my education in California I returned home to Maine to raise my daughter and provide healthcare to my community. I love treating: women's health including hormonal imbalances, fertility and pregnancy, I also treat a lot of patients with chronic and acute pain, and emotional problems like depression and anxiety.

Poke Acupuncture was founded by Ryan Samuels and Lani Stokes, a dedicated husband-and-wife team with a passion for holistic healing. With their extensive training and vast experience, both Ryan and Lani are accredited practitioners, bringing over 10 years of expertise to their practice.

Lani Stokes has honed her skills in the field of pregnancy and fertility acupuncture, making her a specialist in this area. On the other hand, Ryan Samuels focuses his practice on chronic pain relief, neurological conditions, and menopause. With a compassionate approach, Ryan is dedicated to helping individuals alleviate their chronic pain and manage conditions related to the nervous system.

“I feel so privileged to be in the position, for the rest of my life, to help others. The best part of my job is being able to help people truly heal. Most people, to some degree, are in some level of pain, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. My goal as a provider is not only to treat symptoms, but more importantly to treat the root causes of those symptoms to help people truly be well and live vibrantly. That’s what wellness is, and that’s what I love to help others achieve.”

When Melinda is not treating patients, you will most likely find her in the ocean with her family on the Seacoast of NH. Melinda is an avid surfer (yes, even during the New England winters!), certified yoga teacher, and lifelong athlete. She possesses an innate appreciation of the importance of developing and maintaining a strong and healthy body and mind.

As a licensed Acupuncturist, Melinda blends the best of both eastern and western medicine. In addition to her education and clinical experience, Melinda spent over a decade training doctors in medical devices and robotic surgical technology. As a result, she has an excellent foundation and appreciation for western medicine, while recognizing the importance of comprehensive, integrative care for patients. Compelled by helping others, she made the decision to leave her career and become a healthcare provider herself. Melinda chose the field of Acupuncture because it gives her the unique opportunity to provide personalized, holistic, patient-centered care.

Melinda Ferreira is a nationally board-certified Diplomate of Acupuncture, and is licensed to practice in the state of NH. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters Degree in Acupuncture from the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS University. During her 3 years of training, she completed clinical internships at Massachusetts General Hospital, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Cambridge Health Alliance, MCPHS University, and Element Care Senior Clinic. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine.

Our husband and wife dynamic duo have been practicing Traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine and acupuncture since 2001. The couple has been voted Best of Boise and Top Doc of Eagle many years in a row. They treat all difficult, chronic, illnesses, pain, injury and women’s health including: infertility, miscarriage, hormonal imbalances, menopausal challenges & any and all pain syndromes. They take the most difficult infertility cases in the U.S. through telemedicine with their mastery in sophisticated and complex herbal medicine, functional medicine testing and nutraceutical therapies. The Burrises have had nearly 700 babies born from their work and have been featured as medical authorities and experts in the Idaho Statesman, The San Diego Union Tribune, USA Today, Fox News and NPR radio. Doctors of TCM and acupuncture , who once treated infertility, now refers all of her infertility patients to the Burrises due to their unprecedented depth of knowledge, experience and success. Reproductive endocrinologists have referred their own wives for a natural approach to their own infertility. Ms. Burris is completing her dual doctorate in 2024 in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Mr. Burris has two additional years of training in martial arts, meditation and medical massage from the Taoist Sanctuary in San Diego. Ms. Burris was featured as “The Babymaker” on the cover of HERLIFE magazine and was honored by Evergreen herbs as one of their Top doctors in the U.S.. Both of the happily married couple taught graduate students at their alma mater, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine now known as Pacific College of Health Science in San Diego in a variety of classes and Mrs. Burris was the first person to be honored by their alma mater as as success in the field of TCM and acupuncture .

Lanelle Durst specializes in Five Element Acupuncture, a style which treats the underlying cause of imbalance and disease. Each acupuncture treatment is based on the patient's underlying constitution and the state of their body, mind and spirit.