Christine Friel, L.Ac., MS, DNBAO, FABORM
Acupuncturist, Founder of Double Happiness Health
Christine Friel founded Double Happiness Health in February 2005 in the Potrero Hill area of San Francisco. She has been practicing acupuncture since 2003, massage therapy since 1992, and has earned Traditional Chinese Medicine board specialties in both reproductive medicine, including fertility care and orthopedics, including joint pain.
Christine enjoys bringing her variety of skills—acupunture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, and manual therapy techniques– to tailor an individualized approach to each patient to achieve their optimal health. She supports their healing with an ongoing individualized treatment plan.
Christine earned her Masters Degree at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Traditional Chinese Medicine and was licensed by the state of California in 2003. She interned at Shu Guang Hospital in Shanghai. Christine is a Diplomat of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics (DNBAO) and earned a board specialty in Acupuncture Orthopedics with Lerner Education at Cedar Sinai Hospital in 2007. She has specialized in oriental reproductive medicine and has been a fellow of ABORM (American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine) since 2010.
Over the years Christine has studied Craniosacral therapy with the Upledger Institute, as well as Chi Nei Tsang, a Taoist visceral and energetic manual therapy with Allison Post, Mantak Chia and Gilles Marin. Passionate about providing lifelong self-care skills to those she treats, her philosophy entails partnering with her patients to achieve their health goals so that they live more fully.
Christine is a true professional who is also very warm, caring, and nurturing. She explains everything about your treatment and the herbs fully and answers all of your questions. She will thoroughly research your symptoms or condition until she gets to the bottom of what ails you. I went to her for my very first acupuncture treatment and I couldn’t think of a more gentle or pleasant introduction! – Vanessa M
Mia Burmester L.Ac.
Holistic medicine has been a life long passion for Mia. With an established background in Western Herbal Medicine, Shiatsu and Neuromuscular Therapy, Mia began her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine at ACCHS in 2005, received her Masters of Science in 2008. She has since worked at clinics on the East Coast and in the Bay and delved further into her field with training in Chi Nei Tsang and reproductive health.
Mia draws inspiration from her other loves, dance and Yoga, and now builds her understanding of movement and manual therapies into her practice. Her belief is that the body is always seeking balance but with the rhythm of Western living it is vital to incorporate a holistic vision into daily life to sustain healthy alignment and emotional equanimity.
“Mia rocks! She’s very present and the treatment made me feel alive for the entire day. My sleep has been deep since the session.” – Ave V.
Paulene Harrell, CMT Certified Massage Therapist
Paulene has over 20 years of experience as a Certified Massage Therapist. She is a passionate and dedicated student of the body, and believes in not only providing healing massage but also in educating her clients to help them with their own self-care. According to Paulene, the body has a mind of its own. She enjoys the challenge of helping to unlock the body’s holding patterns.
Paulene blends various modalities including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral, Myofacial, and Jin Shin Jyutsu, using an integrated approach to tune into the individual needs of each client. She has worked in spas, with seniors offering therapeutic touch, and as a teacher’s aide at the Monterey Institute of Touch where she received her training.
Paulene is one of the best massage therapists anywhere. She really knows her anatomy and what’s going on with your body. She was right on with her assessment of what was going on with my body’s muscular system, which had previously been diagnosed by an Osteopathic doctor and a Chiropractor. Impressive! Paulene has great technique. – V.A.
Mia Stableford, CMT
Mia’s interest in the healing arts therapy comes from her athletic background. As a participant and coach of triathlons, she needed to find relief from her own sports injuries. The help she received working with acupuncturists and massage therapists was so profound that it compelled her to pursue a career helping others with similar issues.
Mia completed the Acupressure Institute’s Acupressure Practitioner program specializing in Sports Acupressure, Neuromuscular Technique, and Tui Na, a Chinese manual therapy based on the principles of yin and yang, the five elements and a meridian view of the body, encouraging free flow of qi by manipulating joints, viscera and soft tissue. Mia is also currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland.
As a Hill dweller I was surprised I hadn’t known about DHH and loved the energy of the space. Mia offered a delicious full body massage with exactly the right pressure, finding and releasing tender spots on my back. It was a welcome reminder of how much my body needs deep tissue work (in addition to my regular yoga, acupuncture, Pilates, and bodywork). Thank you. I’ll be back soon! – Jim V.