Dr. Maggie Dooner | Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hormonal Health | Encinitas, CA

In our Women in Wellness series, we spotlight inspiring women who are making waves in the wellness community. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Dr. Maggie Dooner, a Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine based in Encinitas, California, whose approach to women's health integrates ancient wisdom with modern understanding.

Meeting Dr. Maggie Dooner

With a practice dedicated to supporting women's reproductive health, nervous system balance, and digestive wellness, Dr. Dooner brings a personalized approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at her practice, Treehouse Acupuncture. Her expertise in fertility support and hormonal balance has helped countless women navigate challenges from irregular cycles to fertility journeys.

"My approach is truly never one-size-fits-all," Dr. Dooner explains. "I really focus on understanding what's happening in each woman's body and how we can create the right environment for emotional and reproductive health."

Beyond Symptoms: The Chinese Medicine Approach to Hormonal Balance

While many women accept period pain or hormonal issues as an inevitable part of life, Dr. Dooner's approach focuses on finding and addressing root causes. Contrary to the misconception that nervous system regulation is only necessary for those dealing with anxiety or stress, she emphasizes how the nervous system impacts everything from digestion to hormonal balance.

"An overstimulated nervous system can directly affect your digestive system and lead to hormonal imbalances," she shares. "This can cause a range of issues, from irregular menstrual cycles and difficulties with fertility to chronic fatigue and mood swings."

Practical Tips for Hormonal Balance Through Chinese Medicine

Dr. Dooner offers these accessible practices based on TCM principles:

1. Switch to warm, cooked meals and skip the iced drinks: In Chinese medicine, cold foods are thought to impair digestion, which is deeply connected to the overall function of your body. Warm, cooked meals are gentler on your system, allowing it to work more efficiently and directing energy where it's needed.

2. Keep your feet warm, especially at night: For women struggling with menstrual pain, irregularity, or fertility concerns, this simple practice supports the Kidney meridian, which starts at the soles of your feet and is linked to core energy and reproductive health. Wearing warm socks or doing a foot soak before bed can help calm your body and nourish your reproductive system.

3. Follow the sun: Rise with the sun and wind down when it sets to help your body stay in rhythm with its internal organ clocks. This practice helps regulate everything from mood to digestion to hormone balance, offering a simple way to feel more connected to yourself and maintain emotional steadiness.

Try This at Home: A Simple Practice to Start

Ready to experience the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine? Dr. Dooner recommends this simple acupressure technique:

Massage the Liver 3 acupuncture point, located on the top of the foot between the first and second toes. In TCM, Liver 3 is used to relieve stress, promote emotional balance, and help the smooth flow of "Liver Qi." By gently pressing or massaging this point for 1-2 minutes, you can support your body and regulate your energy.

Finding Healing Through Personal Experience

Dr. Dooner's passion for Chinese Medicine was sparked by two significant experiences. First, witnessing her mother's recovery from cancer-related neuropathy through acupuncture when she was just 10 years old planted the seed that "true healing often happens in ways we don't immediately understand."

Years later, her own struggles with unexplained pelvic pain led her to TCM after conventional approaches failed to provide answers. "Through studying Chinese medicine, I finally found explanations that made sense to me. It wasn't just symptom management, but true root cause understanding."

What might surprise you about Dr. Dooner's practice? "In no way am I saying I got acupuncture and it magically cured me," she reflects. "For me, it was about needing an explanation. I needed something that would help me understand what was happening in my body and why my symptoms were showing up."

The Power of Body Trust

The transformation Dr. Dooner most often sees in her clients is a deeper trust in their bodies. "They begin to understand that their symptoms don't always have to be something purely clinical to address, but rather, they can be messages to look deeper and uncover what's out of balance."

Many women accept period pain as normal, believing it's just part of being a woman. "But it just doesn't have to be that way," she emphasizes. "Instead of feeling powerless or overwhelmed by the pain, they begin to see it as an opportunity to connect with their body's needs."

Beyond Acupuncture: Expanding Offerings

Beyond her core practice, Dr. Dooner has created Yin Potion, a nourishing face oil perfect for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Made with just a handful of pure ingredients—rosehip oil, vitamin E, frankincense, patchouli, palma rosa, and mei gui hua—it pairs beautifully with gua sha for a self-care moment.

She's also expanded into cosmetic acupuncture, helping women embrace holistic beauty by rejuvenating their skin from the inside out. "It's a non-invasive, natural alternative to things like Botox, and over time, it can give you a more youthful appearance without the need for chemicals or invasive procedures."

Connect with Dr. Maggie Dooner

Ready to experience Dr. Dooner's approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine?

• Instagram: @treehouseacupuncture

• Website: www.treehouse-acupuncture.com

• Contact: Phone call, text, Instagram DM, e-mail, or book directly online

This post is part of PeachyYogi's Women in Wellness directory, where we spotlight inspiring women in the wellness community. Stay tuned for more features highlighting women who are making a difference through their unique approaches to health and wellbeing.