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ACUPIA WELLNESS
Acupia Wellness is a trusted clinic that has proudly served the Irvine community for over 20 years, building a legacy of experience, consistency, and patient-centered care. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, we take a comprehensive approach that considers the whole body, addressing underlying imbalances to support long-term health and sustainable well-being.
Rooted in the principles of East Asian medicine, Acupia Wellness offers a refined, personalized approach to care. Each treatment is thoughtfully tailored to the individual’s constitution, lifestyle, and overall condition, integrating time-honored medical wisdom with a modern wellness perspective to support pain management, chronic conditions, and overall vitality.
Meet our best team
OUR TEAM MEMBERs
Dr. Jong Hwa Lee, Ph.D, L.Ac, KMD
Founder - Medical Director
International Leader in Korean & Integrative Medicine
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Areas of Expertise
Musculoskeletal & Pain Disorders
VST Acupuncture (Founder)
Metabolic Disorders (Obesity · Diabetes · Detox)
Posture & Structural Correction
Herbal & Functional Medicine
Preventive & Holistic Wellness
Education
Ph.D. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University, Seoul
M.S. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University
B.S. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University
Advanced Training & Distinctions
Founder & Developer of Vertex Synchronizing Technique (VST)
Creator of the Reset Detox Metabolic Program
International lecturer (U.S., Europe, South America, Middle East)
Author & translator of major works on posture, meridian mechanics, and Korean medicine
Founded and operated 10 Acupia Wellness Clinics across South Korea
Performed 200,000+ VST clinical treatments
Award of Appreciation, American Integrative Medicine Institute
Award of Appreciation, Association of National Alliance of Korean Asian Medicine & Acupuncture of U.S.A
Professional Profile
Dr. Jong Hwa Lee brings over 30 years of clinical, academic, and research excellence to Acupia Wellness. His career began at Kyunghee University, where he studied metabolic disorders and investigated the physiological effects of therapeutic botanicals such as inulin and resveratrol. This foundation led to the development of his signature Reset Detox Program, a natural system for restoring metabolic and digestive balance.
In 2001, Dr. Lee opened the first Acupia Wellness Clinic in Seoul. His integrative approach—rooted in Korean medicine yet enhanced by modern diagnostic insight—expanded into a network of ten clinics serving thousands of patients throughout South Korea.
Dr. Lee is best known as the creator of the Vertex Synchronizing Technique (VST), a groundbreaking non-invasive method for treating musculoskeletal and functional disorders. With more than 200,000 successful VST treatments performed, his methodology is now recognized worldwide.
As Medical Director at Acupia Wellness in California, Dr. Lee continues to guide patient care with a blend of precision, innovation, and heartfelt commitment to long-term wellness.
Award of Appreciation from American Integrative Medicine Institute
- Award of Appreciation from Association of National Alliance of Korean Asian Medicine & Acupuncture of U.S.A
Dr. Seon Ryang Kim, Ph.D, L.Ac, KMD
Co-Founder, Senior Practitioner
Women's Health, Lifestyle Medicine, Manual Therapy
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Areas of Expertise
Women’s Health & Hormonal Balance
Fertility & Reproductive Support
Lymphatic Drainage, CST, Visceral Manipulation
Integrative Nutrition & Detox Programs
Weight Management & Metabolic Health
Eastern Aesthetic & Dermatologic Welleness
Education
Ph.D. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University, Seoul
M.S. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University
B.S. in Korean Medicine — Kyunghee University
Advanced Training & Distinctions
Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME), California
Licensed Esthetician
Registered musculoskeletal sonography
- Advanced Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
- Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
- Visceral Manipulation
- Lifestyle Medicine & Functional Nutrition Tranining
- International Medical Mission Work (Asia and the Americas)
Professional Profile
Dr. Seon Ryang Kim has nearly three decades of experience in holistic healing, integrating Kroean medicine with lifestyle-based therapeutic methods. After more than 11 years of training at Kyunghee University, she began clinical practice in 1998 at the Kyunghee Acupia Wellness Clinic, where she specialized in women’s health, hormonal regulation, and weight management.
Upon moving to California in 2008, Dr, Kim broadened her expertise to include dermatologic aesthetics, manual therapy, lymphatic and craniosacral techniques, and diagnostic ultrasound. This diverse background allows her to design deeply personalized treatment plans that address hormonal balance, metabolic health, digestive function, and emotional well-being.
Her approach emphasizes gentle yet effective care, helping patients cultivate long-term vitality through natural, non-invasive therapies and sustainable lifestyle practices.
Dr. Soo Hyun Ahn, DATM, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine ·
Integrative Practitioner · Pain · Neuromuscular ·
Women’s Health & Pediatric Care
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Areas of Expertise
Neuromuscular disorder & Orthopedic disorder
TSA · VST · EXSTORE · Electro-Acupuncture
Women’s Health & Hormonal Balance
Pediatric Growth & Development
Weight Management & Detox Reset
Functional Medicine Nutrition & Integrative Wellness
Education
- Doctor of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine (DATM)
— Dongguk University LA
Master of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine — Dongguk University LA
Former Faculty Clinic Doctor, DULA
Advanced Training & Certifications
TSA (Tissue-based Systemic Acupuncture) Acupuncture Technique by Dr. Seung Deok Lee
VST (Vertex Synchronizing Technique) Acupuncture Technique by Dr. Jong Hwa Lee
EXSTORE · Motor Points · Electro-Acupuncture by Dr. Anthony Lombardi
Harvard Medical School — Health & Wellness / Sustainable Nutrition
Cornell University — Medicinal Plants
Sports Medicine Team Doctor — SSKM / NAKAMA
Therapeutic Fasting & Obesity Medicine (Society of Korean Medicine for Obesity
Research & ABOFO)Advanced Cosmetic Acupuncture
Professional Profile
Dr. Soo Hyun Ahn delivers an integrative style of acupuncture rooted in classical East Asian medicine while guided by evidence-based modern practices. Her clinical focus includes neuromuscular pain, hormonal regulation, pediatric development, and metabolic balance.
Her advanced training in TSA, VST, EXSTORE, and motor-point acupuncture gives her a highly specialized approach to diagnosing and correcting functional imbalances. Additional medical coursework at Harvard and Cornell provides her with a scientific and holistic framework for nutrition and herbal therapeutics.
Dr. Ahn is known for her precise, gentle technique and for creating individualized treatment plans that support both immediate relief and long-term wellness.
Soyang Kim, L.Ac.
California Licensed Acupuncturist |
Physician Qualification in Chinese Medicine, China
Musculoskeletal Pain • Sports Injuries •
Aesthetic Wellness
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Areas of Expertise
Musculoskeletal Pain & Orthopedic Conditions
Sports Injuries & Movement-Related Pain
Neck, Shoulder & Low Back Pain
Knee, Hip & Ankle Conditions
Neuromuscular & Chronic Pain Conditions
VST Technique · Therapeutic Fasting & Obesity Medicine
- Facial Acupuncture & Aesthetic Wellness
Education
B.S. in Traditional Chinese Medicine — Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Postgraduate Clinical Training Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
Beijing, China
Advanced Training & Clinical Experience
Clinical training at:
China–Japan Friendship Hospital (-2014)
Third Affiliated Hospital of BUCM (-2016)
International School of BUCM (Xi Yi Men) (-2017)
TAB Medicalfitness (泰谱运动康复中心) – Beijing, China
Chinese Medicine & Sports Rehabilitation Practitioner
Approximately 1 year
Additional training:
VST Acupuncture Technique Training
Therapeutic Fasting & Obesity Care — Society of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
ABOFO Practitioner Training
Professional Profile
Soyang Kim, L.Ac.
California Licensed Acupuncturist
Licensed Chinese Medicine Physician in China
Five-year professional education at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, followed by postgraduate clinical training at Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, with additional experience in hospital-based care and sports rehabilitation in Beijing.
Focused on musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, chronic pain, women’s health, and individualized Chinese medicine care.
Hana Lee, L.Ac.
Integrative Acupuncture Practitioner
Breathing & Diaphragm · Digestive Health · Autonomic Balance
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Areas of Expertise
- Breathing, Diaphragm & Postural Dysfunction
- Digestive Health · Acid Reflux · Bloating
- Dizziness · Tinnitus & Autonomic Balance
- Neck · Jaw · Shoulder & Myofascial Tension
- Voice, Throat & Breathing-Focused Care
Education
- Doctor of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine (DATM), Candidate — Dongguk University Los Angeles
- Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine — South Baylo University
- Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre — Seoul Institute of the Arts
Professional Experience
- Director, CMA Academy
- Adjunct Professor, Keimyung College University
- Voice and breathing training with physicians, announcers, actors, and performing arts students in Korea and the United States
Professional Profile
Hana Lee, L.Ac., combines her acupuncture training with a background in musical theatre and professional voice education. Her work with physicians, announcers, actors, and performing arts students informs her attention to breathing mechanics, diaphragm function, posture, and muscular tension.
Her clinical interests include breathing and diaphragm-related concerns as well as digestive symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, and indigestion. She considers how breathing patterns, abdominal tension, and posture may interact when assessing each patient’s concerns.
For patients experiencing dizziness, tinnitus, or neck and jaw tension, Hana also considers cervical and musculoskeletal factors alongside autonomic balance. Drawing on East Asian medicine and her experience with voice users, she develops individualized care that looks at how these patterns may relate across the body.
Publications
The Malalignment Syndrome
Chiropractic Technique
Medical Acupuncture
SOS! My Baby is Sick
Raising a Happy, Tall Child
Tracing the Pain to the Disc
100-Day Plan to Help Your Child Grow 10cm Taller
Posture Exercises for a Pain-Free Life
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