About

Michael

MS, L.Ac. · Clinic Owner

Michael Niss, MS, L.Ac., did not discover acupuncture in a textbook. He first encountered it as a young swimmer struggling with lower-back pain. The experience stayed with him—not simply because he felt better, but because his practitioner took the time to ask why the problem had developed. That curiosity about the person behind the symptoms helped shape the practitioner Michael would become.

Michael

Michael went on to study acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and natural health sciences at Bastyr University in Washington. His education took him from clinical settings in Seattle to botanical-medicine research in Havana and further study in Shanghai, where he observed East Asian and Western medical approaches working alongside one another. Along the way, he developed a lasting interest in nutrition, movement, plants, and the practical details of everyday health.

Today, as a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and owner of Niss Family Wellness Clinic, Michael brings that broad perspective into individual conversations. He wants to understand what brought you in, what may be contributing to the concern, and what a sensible plan could look like—not simply rush to the next appointment.

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What can I do for you?

Explore Michael’s Approach

From acupuncture and herbal medicine to practitioner-guided remote light sessions, the starting point is a conversation about your goals.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Individualized acupuncture sessions informed by your history, current concerns, and East Asian medical practice. Michael considers the broader context, including movement, lifestyle, and stress.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Michael’s training includes Chinese herbal medicine, botanical cultivation, and natural health sciences. He can discuss whether an herbal approach is appropriate in the context of your care.

Whole-Person Perspective

Whole-Person Perspective

Rather than looking only at where discomfort appears, Michael asks how it developed and what habits or circumstances may be relevant. Listening is part of the treatment plan.

Remote Light-Pad Sessions

Remote Light-Pad Sessions

For clients exploring a needle-free option, Michael can guide placement of BioPhoto Scryer light pads over selected acupoints during a live video session. This is a light-based experience, not a replacement for conventional needle acupuncture.

Guided Discovery

Guided Discovery

Interactive scryerX experiences offer opportunities to explore meridian and chakra concepts through prompts and reflection. These are exploratory tools, not medical diagnoses.

It Began With
Being a Patient.

Education at Bastyr University

That early experience remained with Michael through his education. When it came time to choose a medical path, he wanted to combine humanity's long relationship with natural medicine with modern diagnostic tools. Acupuncture and East Asian Herbal Medicine became the direction that best matched that goal.

Michael received a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Health Sciences from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

Plants, Food & Medicine

During his studies, Michael was part of a research team awarded a Venture Grant that traveled to Havana, Cuba to study the integration of the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture, including the use of urban sustainable gardens to grow food and botanical medicine.

The trip strengthened his interest in plants and in how and where food and medicine are grown.

Clinical & Specialty Training

Alongside clinic time at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Michael pursued additional pediatric training, three years of Chinese Tui Na bodywork therapy training, training in growing herbal medicine and medicinal mushrooms, HIV clinic shifts, and cancer hospital shifts.

Bastyr is also where Michael met Brooke Niss, L.Ac., who would later become his wife and co-founder.

Shanghai & an Integrated View of Care

Near the end of his studies, Michael traveled to Shanghai, China to study in an integrated public setting. Seeing acupuncture and herbal medicine practiced alongside Western medicine on a large scale reinforced a goal he and Brooke shared: to create a clinic that could serve a broad community and remain financially accessible.

Niss Family Wellness Clinic

In 2026, Michael founded the Niss Family Wellness Clinic in Los Angeles, California. The name was chosen intentionally so that people from every kind of family would know they were welcome.

Michael serves as a Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Clinic Owner and Co-Director. He works to listen thoroughly to each patient, provide effective and concise care, and develop plans that emphasize prevention and longer-term solutions whenever possible.

Beyond the Clinic

Outside the clinic, Michael enjoys playing bass, gardening, surfing, and spending time with Brooke and their two children.

I am excited to meet with you and help with your health goals. — Michael Niss, L.Ac.