Our Team
Long Beach Speciality Acupuncture
Learn about our caring team
“Never underestimate the healing potential of the body itself”
-Melani Leonard-Cooper
Melani Leonard-Cooper
MSOM, L.Ac. Dip.OM, C.SMA
Melani Leonard-Cooper, MSOM, L.Ac. Dip.OM, C.SMA is a dedicated Certified Sports Medicine Licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist who specializes in the treatment of chronic and acute body pain (all over the body), orthopedic conditions, sports injuries, digestive disorders, headaches/migraines, and complex internal medicine disorders.
She graduated from Samra University of Oriental Medicine in Los Angeles in 2010 and has been treating patients with Acupuncture since 2008. In 2015, she decided to expand her education and knowledge by taking the Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program in Chicago. This program is the most advanced training for Acupuncturists in sports medicine, pain and orthopedic conditions. This training helps integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine principles with Western biomedical information. The program focused on assessment/treatment techniques, orthopedic testing, manual muscle testing, postural assessment, corrective exercises, multiple cadaver labs with dissection, specialized techniques, myofascial therapy and much more!
Melani moved to California in 2007 to attend grad school but she grew up in Florida with her little brother and her Paternal Grandmother. Her Grandmother raised them all on her own and encouraged them to love everyone, to be of service to others and instilled a love of helping people.
Educational Background
She has been studying medicine for the last 20 years. She pursued her Emergency Medical Technician Certification while she was still in high school and she received a scholarship to a Fire Science Program and passed the Florida State Fire Fighter Certification Exam. She received her Undergraduate degree from Eastern Florida State College and then moved to California to work on her her graduate degree at Samra.
After completing her Undergrad education and Fire Science Degree, she realized that she wanted to focus more on the “caring” side of medicine rather than the emergency side. She became interested in the mind/body/spirit side of medicine and wanted to focus on helping others and treating the root cause of ailments. She considered going to Western medical school but did not want to focus on treating symptoms and the systems of the body separately. She wanted a more holistic approach to medicine, in order to treat the entire body as a whole.
Personal Health Struggle
When Melani was a young teenager, she suffered from digestive issues that were related to stress and went undiagnosed. She had the issues all the way until she was an adult. It wasn’t until she went to school for acupuncture and herbs that she learned safe and effective ways to treat the ailments. Any medication that her doctors tried to put her on as a child, gave her many side effects that were often worse than the original condition. She felt that she had no other options until she learned about how the body can heal itself with the right treatment.
After feeling inspired about what she had dealt with in terms of health for so many years, she made a pact with herself that she would work to help as many people as possible so that they did not have to suffer as she did, without hope or options for treatment. Melani had always known that she wanted to help people in a medical way and acupuncture and herbs were the harmonious combination that she had been looking for! She loved that acupuncture utilizes the body’s own abilities to heal itself and herbal formulas help to further that ability, with a gentle but effective approach.
It was after she had done research in learning how the body can heal itself that she decided to move across the country to dedicate her career to helping others through acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Dedication and Mission
Melani’s mission and purpose in her life is to help heal the world naturally, one person at a time. She takes mind, body and soul into consideration in her treatment plans, to help develop customized patient care plans for each individual.
She loves understanding how the body works biomedically and how that can translate to Eastern Medicine. She is always reading and taking multiple classes, in order to satisfy her love of education and learning, which teach her various new ways to help people feel better. She loves to hear people’s stories, create a safe space for everyone and to build a genuine connection to her patients. She loves to see her patients experiencing less pain, increased range of motion and feeling better overall.
Personal Life
Melani resides in Long Beach and loves being outside in nature, going to Farmer’s Markets, traveling to new places, photography and spending time with her Bulldogs. She enjoys reading, taking classes, learning energy work and working to build intuitive/spiritual abilities. She also loves being an active member of her local community and volunteering with various organizations.
Want to meet with Melani to see if she can help you?
All you have to do is request your free consultation so that she can discuss your case with you and see if you can benefit from our services.
It’s an honest, down-to-earth, no pressure conversation where she will listen to your story and review some of your medical history.
Once you have talked to her and is she feels that she can truly help you, then you will have the opportunity to move forward towards addressing your health concerns.
So, if you are ready to explore your possibilities for healing, request your free consultation now.
Our Staff
We are dedicated to providing excellent care
Andreana M.
Front Office Manager/Medical Biller
Andreana also known as Dre is our medical biller and office manager. We have known and grew together over the past 3 years. She has over 7 years of experience working specifically with acupuncturist and chiropractors.She assists in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures. She also maintains accounts payable, receivables and billing.Besides making sure the office runs smoothly, shes a strong believer that acupuncture will cure ANYTHING!…..just ask her. Dre is a native to the Long Beach area. In her down time she enjoys spending time with her children and family, traveling, art and attending sporting events(when that was possible.)
Sarah E.
Front Office Receptionist
Sarah is our front office receptionist. She comes from a dental office background. She knows the importance of patients being at an office that feels comfortable and welcoming. She not only is here to make sure you have an appointment arranged and set, but also that she answers any questions about acupuncture. She loves books, bike rides and animals. “Show me your fur babies!”
Trazy C.
Front Office Receptionist
Trazy is our front office receptionist. She is a full-time student majoring in Integrative Health – and she’s almost done! She is here to emit a warm, soothing atmosphere for our patients, and is happy to assist you throughout your entire process with us. She firmly respects all facets of traditional medicine, especially the power of acupuncture. She loves reading, Bollywood movies, a good cup of chai, and hanging out with her hamster.
Link to: Our Team
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Link to: Who We Help
Meet Our Team
Find out more about our dedicated staff.
Our Process
Our results-driven process to help you feel better fast.
Our Specializaton
Learn more about what we specialize in treating.