About Me
Hello friends! My name is Celine Barrica (Dayang Kumare Anak Akap). I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Autoimmune Paleo Coach, and Certified Massage Therapist trained in various Eastern and Western healing practices. I also practice Indigenous, pre-colonial Filipinx Medicine. I have ten years of experience working in the healthcare field and hope to improve the quality of life of my patients to help them thrive and flourish. My main focus is in autoimmune care, but also treat issues from pain management and fatigue to stress and other common ailments. As a proud Filipina-American, I find passion in working with a diverse population including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved communities.
I often emphasize empowering my patients to cultivate a deeper connection within themselves and to take into account all aspects of their life and how it relates to their health goals. I began my pursuit of medicine after struggling with my own health challenges as a teenager. A virus left me bedridden my senior year of high school. I was told the emergency room was available if I needed it. Thankfully, my sister brought me to my first experience with acupuncture instead, and that changed the course of my life, and helped me find my passion. After months of barely eating or walking, I woke up from my first deep “acu-nap” and walked out of the clinic and ate a full meal. East Asian Medicine became a symbol of hope for me. It was an invitation to thrive despite the odds stacked against me.
The health challenges I face have persisted throughout my life, but they have been just as much my teachers as any textbook I read. They ranged from chronic infections, motorcycle accidents, and chronic scoliosis pain to learning how to manage with several autoimmune diseases— Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. Some days just walking out of the house became a challenge, and other days it was debilitating fatigue, and all of the denial and frustrations that came with a body I didn’t quite recognize in the mirror anymore, but these were all just messages and it was time to truly listen.
Over time, it became more clear what I needed to do to move forward and to really delineate the things I had control over and the things I didn’t to help bring more peace in my healing journey. After trial and error, I now have a better sense of who I am and what my purpose is. I’m here to assist others that are going through health issues that they don’t quite understand, to help them navigate a complex healthcare system, understand the nuances of a societal system that doesn’t value rest, and identify the sources of our health issues from both internal and external causes. I hope to remind us that regardless of all of the pain and challenges we go through, we are still able to hold at the same time, experiences of love, wonder, awe, and joy.
Education
Nationally Board Certified in Chinese Herbology and Diplomate of Chinese Medicine by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) (License #845846)
California Acupuncture Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist
(License# 18963)
Master’s degree (MSTCM) in Chinese Medicine from Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, Oakland CA
Certified Autoimmune Paleo Coach (AIP Certified.com)
Certified Massage Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)
Hilot Binabaylan Training (Hilot Academy of Hilot Binabaylan)
Tracy Stewart’s Sasang Constitutional Medicine Program and ongoing Mentorship
Marlyna Los’s 4 Pillars Ba Zi Mastery Immersion Program -currently Feb 2025
Other Certifications/Trainings
Lonny Jarrett’s Clinical Integration 2 year program
Ben Katz’s Osteopathic Visceral and Neural Mobilization Trainings from MTI Davis
Cranial Sacral Therapy
Vaginal Steam Facilitator- Peristeam Hydrotherapy (Steamy Chick.com)
Certified Cupping Therapist
Reiki
One of my dearest mentors over the years:
Teo Potts
Teacher Appreciation! I wouldn’t be able to help the people I do without my mentors and teachers over the years.
Honoring my Ancestors
I wouldn’t be here without my beloved family and strong line of women that came before me to allow me to flourish and have the opportunities that I have today. Even though they may not be here with me physically, their spirits and teachings guide me in my work. Both of my parents immigrated from the Philippines in hopes of creating a new life for their children. I have also been grateful for two older siblings, who have always supported me to find my passion. Growing up as a woman of color, my sister often encouraged me to reclaim our power and to create the future we want to live. It was only after both of my grandmother’s passings that I truly understood what it meant to resist the many societal norms that were trying to keep us feeling small. I began asking questions, learning more about our familial history, Filipino culture before colonialism, the traditions that our family kept…and it helped me to realize everything my ancestors endured led to my opportunities today. I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams.
Mila Durkin (1942-2018)
Grandma Mila, my father’s mother, and the most badass woman I’ve ever known. She raised four kids in the Philippines by herself working any job she could find like selling coffins, Christmas cards, and life insurance. She’s the sole reason why my family is even here in the U.S. This photo was taken in the early 1980’s in Reno, Nevada after she fell in love with a U.S. sailor (My grandpa John) and moved her to the U.S to start a new life. She was the definition of compassion, love, and living life to the fullest.
Pacita Laiz (1933-2013)
My Lola, my mother’s mom, in her teenage years. I have been told I’m the spitting image of her as a young woman. My Lola was the epitome of generosity. She lived her whole life to serve others and make sure her family was taken care of. She raised pigs to pay school tuition for my mother and her two siblings and every time me, my sister, or my brother were born, she would stay to help raise us for at least six months or longer. I still remember the smell of roses of her rosary, and the taste of my favorite Filipino dish she would cook for me, Sinigang.
The older photo was taken in the early 1970’s in the Philippines of my mamang (great grandmother) with my father (furthest on the left) and his three siblings and two cousins. My mamang grew up in difficult times in the early 1900’s. After her husband died, a prominent police chief, she swallowed her pride and sold sweepstakes (lottery tickets) to feed her seven children.
She always had a soft spot for me. She used to sneak little candies into my pockets when no one else was looking. My earliest memories was of falling asleep to the lulling sound of her old wooden sewing machine—the same sewing machine she dragged into the mountains with my grandma Mila and her other small children while hiding from Japanese invasion during World War 2. These snippets into her life had always inspired me to believe in myself despite any challenge that came my way.
Elena Santos (1919-2013)
Rosenda Mariano (1894-1992)
Lola Senday was my mother’s Lola. I never personally met her, but I was told she was a strong-willed, influential woman that demanded respect from everyone around her. Recounts of her from family was always mixed with fear and awe. She married twice and was an incredible cook. She was a jeweler by trade until World War 2 forced her to flee her home and all of her precious jewels were lost during the fray. She was the matriarch of the family that made all of the important decisions. I can only guess where my sister and I got our strong values for independence.