Barbara's study of East Asian Medicine began on her own quest for health. When it became clear that she would be more than just an appreciator of the Eastern philosophy on Medicine, she began her studies. In 2002 Barbara began studying Zen Shiatsu, a Japanese style of floor massage. Shiatsu is firmly rooted in the same theoretical construct as Acupuncture, so the next step of intellectual curiosity was natural. She attended Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego, California, finishing her master's degree in 2008 and her doctoral degree in 2016. In school, Barbara's education emphasized the Japanese expression of the art of Acupuncture. Quickly, she began studying under master teacher and practitioner Ikeda Masakazu Sensei of Japan and has completed coursework at the Shikoku Medical College in Utazu, Kagawa, on the island of Shikoku. She has continued this in-depth study of classical east Asian medicine with Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey sensei since 2005.

Barbara has spent much of her continuing education time on women’s health, pregnancy support and fertility support. She enjoys working with couples to help them bring much wanted children into their families. Once those children are here, Shonishin is a style of Japanese Pediatric acupuncture that is effective for everything from colic to colds, and bedwetting to asthma.

She has completed an Externship at the RIMAC Facility on the UC San Diego campus treating student athletes to maintain their competition schedule despite injuries and physical strain. As a former dancer, personal trainer and lifelong fitness enthusiast, Barbara enjoys the opportunity to work with athletes to maintain their level of activity and functionality. She has a unique skill set in combining these different approaches to the body.

Cancer support is a specialty that is near and dear to her heart. Barbara has volunteered her time giving acupuncture treatments at the Charlotte Maxwell Community Clinic in Oakland, California, for low-income women with cancer. This center supplies complimentary treatments to women in the Bay Area who would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.  Acupuncture is a wonderful way to help cancer patients get through their western treatments with minimal side-effects and less anxiety.

In addition to her private practice in Michigan, Barbara is a Professor of Japanese Classical Acupuncture at Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, California.