Mary Jane Houge

Acupunturist & Massage Therapist.

Mary Houge (L.Ac. LMBT) was named "Woman of the Year 2014 for Complementary and Integrative Medicine" here in Asheville, NC.

"My passion is to live an authentic life and to help others do the same. I enjoy living a life full of amazing experiences created from wonderful places and people."

"Education is important and when combined with intuition and compassion my soul is revealed. Living an authentic life is the cornerstone to health and well-being. My lessons in life are vast through my own experiences and from wisdom keepers along my path. I look forward to sharing with you all my accumulated knowledge, wisdom and heart."

Practitioner/Educator/Podcaster- Mary J. Houge, DOM, L.Ac., MSOM, LMBT

Mary J. Houge‘s practices focus on wellness using oriental medicine, acupuncture, herbs, modern science, natural medicine, therapeutic lifestyle education, functional nutrition, bodywork and spiritual guidance. She offers services at her Acu-Na Wellness Center, on-site services for corporate wellness, and on-line services for personal wellness coaching. She incorporates into her services the naturopathic training she received abroad and wisdom from personal life lessons. Her specialties are addressing neuro-endocrine imbalances, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high sugar), menopause, pain and other chronic conditions. Holistic health programs range from integrative oncology support to self-discovery guidance to restoring vibrant health.

In March 2008, Mary J. Houge relocated to Hendersonville, North Carolina from Scottsdale, Arizona. She owns and operates the Acu-Na Wellness Center located in Hendersonville. She created and trademarked her unique treatment system ACU-NA®. She is licensed by both the North Carolina Acupuncture Board and Massage Therapy Board. Previously she was a practicing licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist in Scottsdale, Arizona. She had a practice at the Westin Resort and Spa and also a private practice.

She graduated with honors from the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine. She is a nationally certified acupuncturist and herbalist from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She received her Bachelors of Science Degree from Arizona State University. She received her Doctorate in Naturopathy from the Pan American School of Natural Medicine, West Indies.

Mary has obtained many additional certifications. She is a certified FirstLine Therapeutic Lifestyle practitioner. She is certified in Advanced Oncology Acupuncture from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and also has certifications in oncology massage and manual lymphatic drainage from the Scherer Institute of Natural Healing in Sante Fe, NM. With regards to bodywork, she obtained the following certifications from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA: Holistic Healthcare Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Oriental Body Therapist, and Tui Na Specialist. She is grateful to her teachers: Dr. Bob Rakowski, Dr. Jeffrey Bland, Bill Helm, Alex Tiberi, Joshua Kim and Greg Bantick whom were very influential in her training.

She has been interested in Chinese philosophy and lifestyle since high school. At the age of sixteen she began her first martial art training in Tai Chi, and then further trained in Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Qi Gong and Aiki-Jujitsu. In college Mary studied nursing. She worked for Dr. Winston, Podiatrist, as a surgical assistant. After becoming disillusioned with traditional medicine she decided to combine her interest in martial arts, Chinese philosophy, bodywork, and medicine into one career, as a holistic healthcare practitioner.

Mary J. Houge’s comprehensive approach to studying holistic health through functional nutrition, acupuncture, western science, oncology, nutrition, Chinese herbology, Tui Na and multiple bodywork modalities has surely prepared her to offer her patients a comprehensive and effective integrative natural healthcare program. Mary also is available for speaking engagements as a wellness educator.

Mary J. Houge looks forward to the opportunity to assist you in your path towards wellness using holistic health.

Mary’s Qualifications

Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

A Diplomate of Oriental Medicine is Nationally Certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology from NCCAOM, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) through professional certification. All NCCAOM certification programs are currently accredited by the National Commission for Certification Agencies (NCCA).

Licensed Acupuncturist

A licensed acupuncturist has met all the qualifications of the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board. The purpose of the NCALB is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the North Carolina public through the licensure and regulation of acupuncturists. The Board reviews all applications and ensures the credentials of all licensed acupuncturists meet a high standard and that only qualified individuals are permitted to practice in North Carolina.

Master of Science, Oriental Medicine

A Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine is a four year masters degree program that prepares the student to use Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnosis and treatment which includes Acupuncture, Cupping, Moxibustion, TuiNa, Oriental nutritional counseling and herbal medicine in their practice. Oriental Medical students complete over 1,000 hours of student clinical internship. At successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam in Acupuncture.

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Doctorate is a doctorate in the study of Naturopathic medicine which employs complementary and alternative medical therapies within the context of mainstream medicine, which help improve the body’s intrinsic ability to heal and maintain itself. Practitioners of naturopathic medicine prefer to use natural remedies such as botanical tinctures/medicinal herbs and foods rather than synthetic drugs. Naturopathic medical practice includes many different modalities. Practitioners emphasize a holistic approach to patient care.

Licensed Massage
and Bodywork Therapist

A licensed massage and bodywork therapist has met all the qualifications of the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. The mission and purpose of the Board is to regulate the practice of massage and bodywork therapy in the State of North Carolina to ensure standards of competency and to protect the public health, safety and welfare.