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My passion is to help you take charge of your health with personalized Functional Medicine. Like you, I've had my own health challenges. The most profound was in 1999 when I was diagnosed with an aggressive type of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease. It was excruciating to turn a doorknob, walk down a flight of stairs, or even hold a fork.
Dr. Laura Paris, DACM offers Functional Medicine consults in person in Capitola and Monterey, California, and via video (telemedicine) across the U.S. In addition, she provides acupuncture treatment for locals. Laura uses 100% natural medicine, no pharmaceuticals. This means she provides the holistic side of your health care, to complement your conventional care - not replace it.
Ready to take a personalized journey toward restoring your health? Laura uses Functional Medicine to go far beyond short visits and symptom masking. She digs deeper to identify which of your underlying body systems are struggling. This approach is called "root-cause medicine." Then we create a holistic personalized treatment plan that focuses on modifiable lifestyle factors first.
Laura specializes in the painless Matsumoto acupuncture method, which uses direct feedback from abdominal (hara) palpation to regulate your neuroendocrine-immune axis. The fine delicate needles stimulate your own pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory signaling hormones and neurotransmitters. Our goal is to restore your vital force (qi or "chi") so your body and mind find harmony and alignment, and all your organ systems function optimally. Our clinics in downtown Monterey and Capitola feel more like a spa than a medical office because they are designed for comfort and deep relaxation.
Reviews (10)
Cori Gentry
Nov 26, 2020
My first acupuncturist passed away, and my next one retired, recommending Laura. so I came into Laura's practice having had a lot of experience with excellent acupuncturists. I saw Laura for several years through two pregnancies. I was an insurance patient and she always told me my appointments were covered. I never had the results before and during my pregnancies that I did with my other acupuncturists, specifically with managing PCOS (my first acupuncturist was amazing, I lost 25lbs with him but never lost a pound with Laura), nausea in pregnancy, and with hormone balancing and labor encouragement during my pregnancy.
She was also supposed to treat me during my 5th birth, she showed up and did not do any acupuncture, but took pictures with her phone without my permission before. I was really nice about it after, but her behavior became more and more inappropriate and upsetting so I switched acupuncturists. I'm including just one interaction about 3 weeks after I gave birth, which was deeply upsetting.
I still saw her after, but only a couple times, and did not choose her during our most recent pregnancy. If you are getting pregnant, are pregnant, or postpartum. I would look elsewhere. If you use insurance, I would run, as you can see from my photos, she really does not want to work with you and will not be understanding if paying a $800 out of pocket bill on no notice is hard for you, I never want someone to not get paid, but some warning and willingness to work with the patient is nice.
The childbearing year is a vulnerable time, and Laura is not a kind or safe practitioner. I have attended her talks, followed her on social media, and I really think money and her ego are her primary priorities, not the wellbeing of people who may not be as privileged as she is. She had mentioned referring patients to doctors that refer back to her, despite those other practitioners having policies and practices that are harmful to women, again making me believe money is more important than a patient's wellbeing. I don't like leaving negative reviews, but after a number of negative experiences with Laura, I feel compelled to warn others.
She was also supposed to treat me during my 5th birth, she showed up and did not do any acupuncture, but took pictures with her phone without my permission before. I was really nice about it after, but her behavior became more and more inappropriate and upsetting so I switched acupuncturists. I'm including just one interaction about 3 weeks after I gave birth, which was deeply upsetting.
I still saw her after, but only a couple times, and did not choose her during our most recent pregnancy. If you are getting pregnant, are pregnant, or postpartum. I would look elsewhere. If you use insurance, I would run, as you can see from my photos, she really does not want to work with you and will not be understanding if paying a $800 out of pocket bill on no notice is hard for you, I never want someone to not get paid, but some warning and willingness to work with the patient is nice.
The childbearing year is a vulnerable time, and Laura is not a kind or safe practitioner. I have attended her talks, followed her on social media, and I really think money and her ego are her primary priorities, not the wellbeing of people who may not be as privileged as she is. She had mentioned referring patients to doctors that refer back to her, despite those other practitioners having policies and practices that are harmful to women, again making me believe money is more important than a patient's wellbeing. I don't like leaving negative reviews, but after a number of negative experiences with Laura, I feel compelled to warn others.
Jessica Pavelka
Feb 25, 2020
I have a condition which makes it extremely difficult to lose weight. I saw Dr. Paris to help me with this and to hopefully just make my life better as my condition coupled with IVF was really wearing me down. She changed my diet (which I have yet to master) and recommended some pills which are actually cheaper on her website then elsewhere. (I checked) For the first time since I hit puberty I can actually tell if I am full.
I no longer wake up in pain (Unless I ate what I now know I shouldn't) and I'm down 23lbs in 3 months without being perfect ( I would say maybe even bad) at this correct way of eating. That's also not counting calories which I am definitely supposed to be doing. I highly recommend her. She really knows what she's doing. Also don't wait a few months before starting her regimen like I did :)
I no longer wake up in pain (Unless I ate what I now know I shouldn't) and I'm down 23lbs in 3 months without being perfect ( I would say maybe even bad) at this correct way of eating. That's also not counting calories which I am definitely supposed to be doing. I highly recommend her. She really knows what she's doing. Also don't wait a few months before starting her regimen like I did :)
ZeBeFruity
Jun 15, 2019
LAURA PARIS is the medical sleuth I prayed for. After 60 practitioners, two ER visits and tens of thousands of dollars - with still no diagnosis or treatment (apart from painkillers and antibiotics that made matters much worse), I started working with Laura. She took on my advanced and complex case very seriously and fearlessly. She made a thorough assessment of my history, symptoms, environment, diet and activity, then ordered tests that no other practitioners ever did.
Now after four years of being homebound sick with constant physical pain, we have a diagnosis and a treatment plan which she has written up for me very clearly. Honestly, I was on my last hope, and now I can say Laura it is probably saving my life. She is ridiculously smart and always learning more by studying and attending courses and conferences. On top of that she is a very clear communicator, generous, caring and alot of fun to work with.
Now after four years of being homebound sick with constant physical pain, we have a diagnosis and a treatment plan which she has written up for me very clearly. Honestly, I was on my last hope, and now I can say Laura it is probably saving my life. She is ridiculously smart and always learning more by studying and attending courses and conferences. On top of that she is a very clear communicator, generous, caring and alot of fun to work with.
Brandi
Jan 12, 2019
Laura has been instrumental in my healing and health. I came into her office eight years ago with an undiagnosed thyroid disease and Hashimotos. I have been to several doctors prior who had no idea what was going on with me, she was the only one willing to listen and to work with me. Her guidance and care changed my life and I am grateful for her.
She is a wonderful listner and is different than most practitioners in the way she approaches her patients. She also stays current in her field and is always adding onto her education and experience. She has excellent bedside manner and is very friendly and professional. I feel so fortunate that I found her!
She is a wonderful listner and is different than most practitioners in the way she approaches her patients. She also stays current in her field and is always adding onto her education and experience. She has excellent bedside manner and is very friendly and professional. I feel so fortunate that I found her!
Jessica M.
Dec 09, 2018
I started seeing Laura for acupuncture because I have PCOS. I had a history of miscarriage and was ready to have a baby and my midwives recommended her. I wasn't sure about acupuncture, but Laura's knowledgeable, warm and caring presence made me feel comfortable, starting with our very first appointment. Every time, Laura checks in with how I am feeling to explore what I need out of the session.
I always feel genuinely cared for. My goal when I first began was to overcome infertility and get pregnant, and have a healthy pregnancy, and that's what happened! I consider it an amazing bonus that every session I feel so relaxed as well. Thanks to Laura, I was able to get pregnant, and stay pregnant! During my pregnancy, she helped to relieve the morning sickness and headaches I experienced in the beginning and helped induce labor at the end, and everything else in-between.
I even received a hand-written card from her after I had my baby (whom she met at my first postpartum session)! Laura is amazing at what she does, what I've experienced has been relaxing and healing and transformative!
I always feel genuinely cared for. My goal when I first began was to overcome infertility and get pregnant, and have a healthy pregnancy, and that's what happened! I consider it an amazing bonus that every session I feel so relaxed as well. Thanks to Laura, I was able to get pregnant, and stay pregnant! During my pregnancy, she helped to relieve the morning sickness and headaches I experienced in the beginning and helped induce labor at the end, and everything else in-between.
I even received a hand-written card from her after I had my baby (whom she met at my first postpartum session)! Laura is amazing at what she does, what I've experienced has been relaxing and healing and transformative!
Heather Schwarz
Oct 27, 2018
Meghan Simon
Apr 19, 2018
I was referred to Laura for infertility acupuncture- the lowest daunting time of my life. She was the FIRST provider I have been to who didn't make me feel rushed to word vomit everything that I had already gone thru. She was patient, empathetic, informative- in such a way that even the average person can understand fancy science-y stuff, kind, and approachable!
While I am taking a break from fertility to jump another life hurdle I still make sure to see her as often as possible. Something hurts? Go see Laura! Self care? Go see Laura! Acupuncture was something that scared me.needles.in my body? Forget that I have tattoos! I literally laugh at that fear now because she is so gentle, and explains everything as she goes.
Her website also has the BEST articles I have read, they are super informative, and normally I wouldn't be able to understand these science-y topics but she breaks it down into comprehendible words! Her goal is your health!
While I am taking a break from fertility to jump another life hurdle I still make sure to see her as often as possible. Something hurts? Go see Laura! Self care? Go see Laura! Acupuncture was something that scared me.needles.in my body? Forget that I have tattoos! I literally laugh at that fear now because she is so gentle, and explains everything as she goes.
Her website also has the BEST articles I have read, they are super informative, and normally I wouldn't be able to understand these science-y topics but she breaks it down into comprehendible words! Her goal is your health!
Amber Wood
Feb 22, 2018
Laura is a leader in Functional Medicine. Her thirst for knowledge and innovation is infectious. I love Laura's approach to working with women in particular. Happy to have her in my professional circle. I'm always interested to see what she's up to and appreciate brainstorming with her on my toughest cases.
Jennifer W.
Jan 06, 2017
I'd like to express my appreciation for what Laura Paris is doing for my health on an ongoing basis. When I started seeing Laura, I was suffering with symptoms from a debilitating autoimmune disease. Through Laura's acupuncture treatments and gentle guidance in making important dietary and lifestyle changes, I am in complete remission. Laura has given me the tools to take control of my health, which I will forever be grateful.
Jacqueline Little
Nov 15, 2016
Laura is an incredibly gifted practitioner. She assisted me in getting pregnant with my now, 9-month-old son (I have PCOS), and saw me all throughout my pregnancy and into the postpartum period (so so needed!). My husband goes to her for his moderate/severe arthritis, as well! Laura has a deep knowledge base that seems to flow effortlessly from her fingertips.
She is compassionate, witty and smart. She combines treatment modalities like diet, lifestyle, herbs and movement with acupuncture to give you a comprehensive care plan. Unlike some practitioners, she is thoughtful with her recommendations, and doesn't try to upsell you on anything that may not be in your best interest. She's always current on the latest research, and forever taking courses and conferences to increase her skill. I can't recommend her enough.
She is compassionate, witty and smart. She combines treatment modalities like diet, lifestyle, herbs and movement with acupuncture to give you a comprehensive care plan. Unlike some practitioners, she is thoughtful with her recommendations, and doesn't try to upsell you on anything that may not be in your best interest. She's always current on the latest research, and forever taking courses and conferences to increase her skill. I can't recommend her enough.
