Syntruvia is a healthcare practice in San Diego, CA. We specialize in lower back and muscle/joint pain using integrative acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic massage and exercise.

Jill Ellen Smith, L.AC, M.AC, Dipl.Ac., NCCAOM, RN, MSN

I have practiced in the Healing Arts for 40 years.

My career began as a Registered Nurse at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland where I specialized in Med/Surgical nursing and later Psychiatric nursing when I received my Masters Degree in Nursing at the University of Maryland. My graduate degree in Nursing was a natural first step into the holistic approach and philosophy of my graduate degree in Chinese Medicine. I blend my vast nursing background into my acupuncture treatments as I treat a wide variety of physical and emotional/spiritual issues.

I have effectively treated anxiety, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, depression, skin disorders, fibromyalgia, menopausal and menstrual disorders, TMJ, infertility and back/neck/shoulder pain, just to name few.

I hold a Masters degree in Acupuncture and I am Licensed and Nationally Certified with NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Public Protection Through Quality Credentials).

The learning process is ongoing as I delve deeper into this 5,000 year old medical art form in my own treatment room. My patients benefit from my years of academic studies, my acupuncture treatment experience, and my life experience as a wife and a mother of two teenagers.
We accept the following insurance:

ins-bluecross ins-aetna ins-johnshopkins

Enjoy Healing, again!

We offer a combination of wholistic healing techniques that restore health naturally.

Natural healthcare is essential if you wish to live a longer, higher quality of life. We are all living longer. And, I believe most people would prefer to live their entire life in good health. That's why I offer natural methods, such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicines, lifestyle and nutrition counseling, and meditation and relaxation resources, to heal and maintain health.

At High Country Doctor, you'll find a natural medicine practice run by the compassionate and skilled practitioner, Dr. Terence McCormick. It all started in the New York City area in 80's when Dr. McCormick was completing undergraduate coursework in biochemistry and other pre-medical studies. During his four years as a pre-med student, he worked as an assistant and apprentice to acupuncture and naturopathic doctors, graduating from various programs in Eastern and Western styles of manual therapies including naprapathy. After completing his undergraduate degree in public health, he went on to graduate from both a masters and doctoral program at one of the country's top natural medicine colleges in Portland, Oregon. As a doctoral fellow he was an acupuncturist intern at Oregon Health Sciences University Pain Center. He was also an intern at a World Health Organization (WHO) integrative medicine hospital in Nanjing, China. Since then, he's traveled the globe learning new techniques to help others with natural options for their healthcare. Dr. McCormick has completed apprenticeships and post-graduate clinical work with naturopathic physicians, naprapaths, medical doctors, osteopaths, Oriental and Ayrvedic medicine doctors along with various other world renowned practitioners in the natural medicine field. He is motivated by a desire to provide complementary care including alternatives to surgery and drugs. Dr. McCormick's practice provides several natural therapy options that address a wide range of health and wellness concerns. His practice serves Fort Collins, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Rapid City, South Dakota. We are one of the most highly-qualified and experienced natural family health care practices in the region.

Since 1989, patients have trusted our practice with evidence-based natural healthcare using modern, traditional, and Asian and Western modalities, such as acupuncture, naturopathy, naprapathy, trigger point dry needling, Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic herbal treatments, manual therapies and nutritional medicine. Dr. McCormick is a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (DAOM) with extensive graduate training in numerous naturopathic therapies and offers them as part of his natural medicine practice. He specializes in individually customized treatment programs for pain management, injury care, overall health, healing, detoxification, and longevity. He works with both kids and adults of all ages.

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.