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Santa Monica Wellness Center Offering Telemedicine Appointments to Current Patients

To Our Beloved Santa Monica Wellness Center Community,

It has been always been our honor and our intention to support our patients on their healing journeys by providing compassionate care at our clinic.

We are fortunate to be able to provide continuation of care through our telemedicine services for our current patients.

If you are already a patient at SMWC and need supplement refills or would like a telemedicine appointment, please reach out via email to frontdesk@santamonicawellness.com.

In the meantime, we recommend that you:

1.) Please contact your medical doctor if you become ill with fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

2.) Consider steps to support your immune system (click on links for detailed info):

  • Sleep at least seven hours a night.
  • Hydrate well. Click here for tips on how to upgrade hydration habits.
  • Support optimal immunity and peace of mind with qigong, meditation, getting into nature  (that includes spending time in your garden, front or back yard, enjoying the beauty that spring has to offer).
  • Eat nutrient-dense foods, including good sources of zinc, selenium, Vitamin A, immune-supporting mushrooms,  greens such as kale (recipes hereprebiotics, incorporating more herbs and spices into your food, such as tumeric and ginger.
  • Reduce sugar intake – find tips on how to overcome cravings here.
  • Check in with your breath to make sure you’re breathing properly, enhancing oxygen uptake.
  • Build emotional resilience with this practice.
  • Get the appropriate amount of sunlight for Vitamin D.
  • Consider foods and lifestyle practices for seasonal support from the wisdom of the Chinese Medicine tradition.
  • Before attempting to “boost” your immune system, read this and check with your healthcare practitioner before adding any herbs or nutritional supplements to your regime.

From the SMWC family to yours, we wish you healthy and harmony always.

 

Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald and Lauren Howard, L.Ac.

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Pinpointing Migraine Relief with Acupuncture

Pinpointing Migraine Relief with Acupuncture

According to the CDC, in the United States, over 15 percent of all adults complain about severe headaches or migraines, with prevalence among women more than twice as high as among menIn 2021, 4.3% of adults aged ≥18 years reported being bothered a lot by headache or migraine in the past 3 months, with a higher percentage among women (6.2%) than men (2.2%)

Treatment options include medication that can often leave sufferers feeling groggy and unlike themselves for hours after taking it. Many people are looking for a drug-free way to combat the root cause of migraines and they’re finding it with acupuncture. Let’s look at how acupuncture can truly provide relief to those suffering from chronic migraines. continue reading »

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Needle by Needle: Acupuncture and Healing from Trauma

Needle by Needle: Acupuncture and Healing from Trauma

People can experience trauma in a variety of ways. Trauma can be physical or emotional. It can be the result of an event like a car accident or through a relationship like with an abusive parent, teacher/coach, or spouse. Trauma doesn’t just reside in the mind but rather embeds itself deep in the body. 

It can be tricky to treat and can manifest anxiety and other behavioral triggers sometimes without warning. Many trauma victims are finding that acupuncture, with its whole-person, body-based approach, offers a powerful and gentle tool for those seeking to heal from the wounds trauma leaves behind. continue reading »

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How Acupuncture Supports Healing in Autoimmune Diseases

How Acupuncture Supports Healing in Autoimmune Diseases

In January 2025, Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators have described — for the first time — the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the U.S. Their research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reports that about 15 million people are estimated to have one or more of 105 autoimmune diseases. Treatments can vary but more and more people are looking for alternatives without harsh side effects. Patients are seeking out complementary treatments that address the whole person, not just the symptoms. Among these options, acupuncture stands out as a promising therapy with ancient roots and growing modern validation. continue reading »

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