Better Health Naturally! Applying wellness of Chinese medicine to the health and wellness challenges of our busy modern lives, we create space for healing for everyone.

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

Balance Method Acupuncture, Inventor of the Pulse Matrix diagnostic & treatment strategy.

I began my study of Chinese medicine in the late 1980's. I was first drawn to the vast richness and depth of Chinese medicine through my practice of classical martial arts. Over the decades, I learned various methods of hands-on therapies for the treatment of injuries that would occur during training. I also learned how herbal medicine has been safely and effectively used for millenia to support athletic training. After completing my undergraduate degree and working for a few years as a translator I realized my true calling was in the study and practice of Chinese Medicine.


I received my Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2001 and completed a sports medicine and orthopedics internship treating collegiate athletes at the University of California, San Diego. After obtaining my California State Acupuncture license in 2002, I began to actively study Classical Chinese Medicine under Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist physician and priest. I continue to study with Dr. Yuen to this day with the belief that it is my responsibility to keep growing as a physician for the sake of my patients. The rich tradition that Dr. Yuen teaches has allowed me to successfully help many patients with difficult neurological complaints, autoimmune disorders and a wide range of functional diseases.

I have personally experienced the shortcomings of the conventional medical system which primarily focuses on the suppression of symptoms and the disempowerment of patients. This motivated me to devote my practice to empowering my patients to take back control of their health and break free from their dependency on medications.

I use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, tui na, qi gong, and dietary therapy integrated with functional medicine (customized lab work) to decipher the mystery of each unique patient. Although it is a challenging path, I find it immensely rewarding and cannot imagine doing anything else.


I have practiced and taught classical Chinese martial arts and health practices in the US and internationally for decades. A student at heart, I spend much of my free time reading or thinking about how to be a better physician for my patients. My goal is ultimately to help unlock the miraculous healing capacity that is contained in every individual.


Since beginning my practice in 2002 I've worked closely with many primary care doctors, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and gasteroenterologists to provide heart-felt care to thousands of patients.

Morningside Acupuncture is an acupuncture practice situated in New York City (NYC) with offices found in the Upper West Side (UWS) and also Washington Heights neighborhoods.

We specialize in treating acute & chronic pain, sports injuries, as well as stress-related conditions.

Each therapy is individualized based on a comprehensive assessment and incorporates multiple styles of acupuncture (TCM, dry needling, trigger point release), electroacupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, guasha, as well as recommendations for Chinese herbs as needed.

Acupuncture is especially reliable for pain and physical manifestations of stress so we see things like back pain, neck pain, headaches, muscle tightness, fatigue, sleep issues, as well as digestive issues regularly.