Many Disciplines. One Patient.

In the spirit of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a primary goal of Essential Health Acupuncture is to provide our patients with a broader understanding of health and more lasting sense of well-being. Instead of a disease-centered focus, Traditional Chinese Medicine applies a patient-centered approach that addresses the whole person rather than simply his/her symptoms.

Essential Health Acupuncture combines the disciplines of modern science with the wisdom of ancient healing and takes advantage of the knowledge of several disciplines including, acupunture, tui na (Chinese body work), cupping therapy, diet/nutrition education, physical, mental and emotional health, and Chinese herbology. Other medical modalities that are being utilized are also taken into account to provide the utmost care for the individual. This allows patient and provider to work together to develop an integrated diagnostic and therapeutic plan that will best address the whole patient.

Victor Cheng, L. Ac. is a California Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. He graduated from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(上海中醫藥大學). In his six years in Shanghai, he studied four years in classes and labs covering both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He spent the last two years at Shuguang Hospital(曙光醫院), the first TCM hospital in China and one of the three Level III TCM hospitals, rotating through various specialties. In Shanghai, he took and passed the National Medical Exam in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also licensed in China.

Victor was born in the US but spent part of his childhood in Taiwan, therefore he is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English. He developed an interest in Chinese Medicine early age seeing his grandmother curing family members with simple home remedies. He went on to study at UC Berkeley and received a Bachelor degree. After college, he began studying Buddhism and volunteered a year teaching Chinese at Developing Virtue Secondary School in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Afterwards, he interned one year at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. In Shanghai, he studied under many renown TCM professors. He is interested in Internal Medicine with an emphasis on healthy diet and exercises.

Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and Chinese pulse diagnosis to identify and treat the Chinese medicine root cause of health problems.

Kathy Addison received her masters degree in 5-Element style acupuncture in 2001 and has also passed the National Acupuncture Exam. She practices in the Carteret Chiropractic and Family Wellness office in Cape Carteret, NC very close to Morehead City, Swansboro, and Emerald Isle. Kathy offers discounts to people ages 55+, and to retired and active military personnel.

Natalie Vail is an ordained Spiritualist minister, licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, certified spiritual energy healer, psychic-medium, feng shui consultant and Birth Doula. She was born and raised in California and knew from the age of 4 that she wanted to be an alternative health care practitioner. By the time she was 8 year old, Natalie began studying energy healing and mediumship. She is certified by Harmony Grove Spiritualist Association’s Institute as a Spiritual Healer and Psychic-Medium and is ordained through Grace Spiritual Center in Encinitas, California.

Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, Natalie was led to study the ancient healing practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine and graduated from Pacific College in 2011 with a Master's of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is licensed by the State of California as well as an NCCAOM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and is currently finishing her Doctorate.

Before beginning her studies of Chinese Medicine, Natalie graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California Berkeley with a degree in Anthropology and a minor in Music.

Natalie uses her healing and intuitive gifts in her everyday life and is committed to her own spiritual development. She views her role as a Healer to be an integral part of her life’s purpose and believes that every person possesses the innate ability to heal. Her vision is to be a facilitator who empowers and motivates people towards wellness in every aspect of their being.