Saori Minota L.Ac.

Saori is a California State licensed acupuncturist. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Western Oregon University, she started a career in the food industry. While working in the industry, she traveled around the U.S. for a few years to promote healthy Japanese foods and met people from different ethnic backgrounds. She realized that tailor-made treatments are the best approach to people’s health. Moreover, she intuitively knew that her passion is to help others, which lead her to start educating herself to pursue her career in the healthcare field. Prior to attending Dongguk University Los Angeles (after transferred from Samra University of Oriental Medicine) where she earned Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM), she earned diplomat in Shiatsu Anma Massage Therapy at Shiatsu Massage School of California in Santa Monica.

Prior to and during earning MSOM, she apprenticed with her mentor, Isao Nitao, L. Ac. who practiced Japanese meridian acupuncture using pulse diagnosis for 50 years. His gentle healing touch planted seeds in her approach to her patients. When she got licensed in California, she started clinical internship at Samra University Clinic under Dr. Tae Cheong Choo and Dr. Myung Hwa Chung. Her specialty training was in Korean Saam Acupuncture (4 needle technique) and Master Tong’s Acupuncture which both help various conditions from musculoskeletal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, neurological to gynecological problems. She learned both Saam and Master Tong’s Acupuncture require fewer needles so they are easier for her patients but the results are fantastic. She also learned facial rejuvenation and cosmetic acupuncture there. She continues her internship there while maintaining her practice in her clinic.

A native of Japan, Saori grew up in a family where her mother cooked every day with locally grown fresh ingredients. As her mother was a nutritionist, she learned at an early age the importance of well-balanced diet with foods that are rich in nutrition. Saori offers nutritional counseling along with acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments.

She is an executive member of Japanese Acupuncture Association of California, JAAC. She joined the group as she was very impressed with the knowledge and experience of the members who have practiced both in Japan and in the U.S. Japanese acupuncture technique is known to be gentle, less pain but very effective in various disorders.