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.

Nueces Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a small private clinic conveniently located near the UT campus in downtown Austin. It provides acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional Chinese therapies such as cupping, tuina, moxibustion and dietary counseling.

Surya Longevity Wellness is the go-to wellness center in Winter Park, FL founded by Dr. Jignesh Panchal, L.Ac. Born in India and raised in Nebraska, Jignesh Panchal has lived a life immersed in both Eastern and Western culture. Dr. Jignesh spent over a decade studying various forms of healing and energy medicine including acupuncture, yoga, nutrition, cupping, tui na, functional medicine, ayurveda, meditation, martial arts and more.

On his own journey to health, Dr. Jignesh traveled to India, Thailand, Ecuador and Costa Rica, encountering some of the world’s top teachers of the healing arts and learning many different healing techniques and modalities. These invaluable experiences not only healed him, but set him on a new path. Today, Dr. Jignesh shares the 'gift of health', blending traditional healing methods with cutting edge technologies such as acupuncture, functional medicine, food therapy, ozone therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP,) regenerative medicine and meditation to optimize healing and promote wellness.

The methods used at my practice are aimed toward giving the body synergism—not just treating symptoms temporarily or numbing pain with numerous medications. I strive to help the body heal itself from within, by treating the root and not just the branch of a problem. I use a wide variety of modalities that best serve the individual needs of the patient: acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, herbal formulas, Tui Na (Asian Bodywork), and Kinesiotaping. These methods can be integrated with Western approaches as well. Your treatment will be a partnership: discussed, understood, and agreed upon. While a particular procedure may be indicated for specific purposes, I believe the path to health is best navigated complemented by knowledge and awareness of a patient’s needs and goals.
I am a diplomate of the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I received my Master’s degree from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, one of the most respected acupuncture schools in the United States. My coursework involved 3,000 hours of study in acupuncture, Chinese herbs and herbal formulas, as well as Western medical training, including over 900 hours of supervised clinical training.

Ms. Westhauser is licensed in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., a professional member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) and Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. (NCCAOM)


She has been in private practice in the Metropolitan area for a decade and has treated over 20,000 patients. Most recently she has joined the Maryland University of Integrative Health as a clinical supervisor in the Chinese Herbal Program.


Ms. Westhauser studied at the Maryland Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai, China, the Maryland University of Integrative Health.