Our Practitioners
Meet the dedicated team helping you shine your light and feel your lightest through the ancient wisdom of Classical Chinese Medicine.
Megan Spaeth
Megan Spaeth is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Jersey Shore Acupuncture, which she opened in 2010. She wanted to be a healer her whole life. She was the oldest sister to 4 other siblings, one of the oldest of her 50 first cousins and she enjoyed being a natural caretaker. Megan was introduced to holistic healing and homeopathy as a child through her pediatrician. She grew up fascinated with natural medicine, energy, and spirituality.
When Megan found acupuncture, she had the incredible honor of studying with the highly respected, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist priest and internationally-renowned teacher. Jeffrey teaches his lineage of Classical Chinese Medicine, which refers to the study of acupuncture before the 1950’s. At that time, China was under a Communist regime and the Medicine became very standardized. Around most of the world today, students are taught this more limited version, which is called Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, and focuses on 12 primary channels. Practitioners who are fortunate enough to learn Classical Medicine are adept at treating over 60 acupuncture channels. This medicine can treat as deeply as the patient is willing to go. Classical Medicine has the breadth to treat constitutional matters, latent infections, immune system dysfunction, traumas, chronic diseases, various emotional and spiritual issues, and keeping us on path in our destiny!
At graduation of Acupuncture school, Dr. Yuen gave each of his students a Chinese character that he wrote in calligraphy and said, “The character I want to present to Megan is a reflection of her already. That’s the character, Ming. Ming means to brighten up. It’s a gift to make people feel lighter. May she continue to shine and brighten up the lives of many who will come before her as patients and those around her now.” In Chinese medicine, the healing mechanism is often compared to the phenomenon of light and Megan is inspired to help each patient shine. She believes that when we vibrate at our highest potential, we feel our best, can turn our dreams into reality, and will naturally emanate that loving, healing energy to everyone and everything around us.
Megan specializes in treating women’s health issues, fertility, pregnancy, and pediatrics. She is particularly devoted to empowering young people and teaching them about the miracle of their bodies and how to optimize their own health. She is certified in Advanced Pediatric Acupuncture and created a virtual course, “Little Qi: A Parent’s Course in Chinese Medicine for Children.” Megan also has a podcast, “Megan’s Medicine,” where she teaches the theory and therapy of Chinese Medicine to the layperson. Megan provides various types of counseling so people can heal themselves at home. She is also certified in Chinese dietary therapy.
Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Acupuncture from Swedish Institute of Health Sciences in New York, NY in 2009. At that accredited program, Megan completed over 3,000 hours of training and then became board-certified and NJ State licensed. She received her undergraduate degree from The College of New Jersey, graduating magna cum laude.
Megan lives in Wall where she can serve her own community. She is blessed with 3 beautiful children, a husband who is her best friend, a Bernese Mountain dog, and the best extended family! She loves to learn, travel, play, and connect with others. Megan prays every day with a grateful heart and asks God to help her use her blessings to make the world a better place.
Dr. Kristia Talcott
Dr. Kristia Talcott’s path to becoming a clinician began in childhood. Raised in a home where holistic healing was part of everyday life, she grew up watching her mother study homeopathy, essential oils, flower essences, and other natural modalities. Visits to a homeopathic pediatrician and receiving reiki treatments were formative experiences that quietly laid the foundation for her future in Chinese Medicine.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, Kristia has always embodied “Earth” energy: nurturing, steady, and deeply caring. Those closest to her often describe her as a lifelong “mother hen.” From an early age, she found herself caring for animals, tending to loved ones, and looking after children. In hindsight, it feels only natural that she chose a profession centered on caring for others and supporting them in their healing journeys.
Her first experience with acupuncture was as a patient at Jersey Shore Acupuncture, where she was treated by Megan for a college dance injury. As a dance major suffering from a foot injury (and admittedly very intimidated by needles), Kristia was surprised to discover how gentle and transformative acupuncture could be. She was captivated by the medicine’s ability to address body, mind, and spirit, and what began as treatment soon became a calling. After healing her injury, she shifted her academic path from Dance to Health Studies, following her growing passion for this medicine.
Kristia graduated magna cum laude from Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. She began her Chinese Medical training in Honolulu, Hawaii, and later transferred to Pacific College in New York City. Over four years in the on-site clinic, she trained under diverse supervisors, gaining extensive hands-on experience and exposure to a variety of acupuncture styles and specialties. Her education included rigorous training in Chinese herbology, and she is nationally board certified in herbal medicine. After earning her Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine, Kristia went on to complete her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Beyond her formal education, Kristia pursued advanced mentorship in Classical Chinese Medicine with Megan, studied Esoteric Acupuncture with Dr. Mikio Sankey, and became certified in Advanced Pediatric Acupuncture with Dr. Stephen Cowan and Moshe Heller. Kristia listens deeply to her patients, striving to uncover the root of each condition and thoughtfully select the most effective treatments from her extensive clinical toolkit. Her approach is attentive and hands-on, ensuring patients leave feeling truly cared for and confident in their treatment.
As a mother herself, Kristia feels especially called to support women and children through every phase of life. From trying to conceive, through pregnancy and postpartum, into motherhood, and beyond to the next phase of life in menopause and grandparenthood! She understands firsthand how transformative it is for women to feel supported, and she hopes to be part of that village for her patients.
Kristia believes acupuncture has the power to change lives. She equips her patients not only with treatment, but also with practical lifestyle and herbal guidance to help them maintain lasting wellness. Outside of the office, she treasures time with her husband, three children, and their three Labrador Retrievers.
Dr. Caroline Kiley
Dr. Caroline Kiley graduated from Pacific College of Health and Science with her Doctorate of Acupuncture, and previously, her Master’s of Science in Acupuncture from Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine. She attended the University of the Sciences where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Sciences. She is Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and tri-state licensed (NJ, NY, PA). Caroline specializes in the treatment of pediatric disorders, as well as past experience working in multidisciplinary facilities treating a multitude of health conditions in all ages. She passes along the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medical theory as an adjunct professor at the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine.
Caroline shares her patient philosophy: “I believe that when caring for children, there is no One-Size-Fits-All method. Kids are surprising and ever-changing in their development, both physically and emotionally. When one is given the opportunity to be part of a child’s life, treating him or her as an individual and unique case is of highest importance. I intend to apply this ideology to Chinese Medicine – the true individualized medicine.”
Ethan Lu
Ethan Lu is an NCCAOM certified acupuncturist and herbalist licensed in the state of New Jersey. He graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture in 2018, where he completed the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine tracks to earn a Masters in Oriental Medicine (MAOM).
As an Asian American with Chinese heritage, Ethan grew up with some exposure to Chinese Medicine, mostly in the form of herbal formulas as he was prone to respiratory infections as a child, as well as Zheng Gu Tui Na (bone-setting and bodywork) as sprains are somewhat common with martial arts practice. But because the medicine was seen as cultural and folk knowledge, found in Chinatowns and old kungfu movies, it would not occur to him to study it until much later.
It was not until Ethan began studying the Internal Martial Arts (primarily Xing Yi Quan) that he realized that the body sensitivity and awareness he was now developing in earnest could also be used to heal. And so, in his second year in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at UMass Boston, he dropped out and enrolled in the New England School of Acupuncture, trading one healing profession for another. He has never looked back.
Ethan considers himself a general practitioner, game for any case presented before him, but having come to the medicine from the martial arts, he has a knack for treating musculoskeletal and postural problems. He specializes in treating orthopedic issues and pain management.
With his background in psychology, he has a soft spot for treating mental-emotional issues like depression and anxiety. He was also specially trained in treating fertility and pregnancy.
Victoria Memos
Victoria Memos, L.Ac earned her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture from The Won Institute of Graduate Studies, a three-year graduate program. Victoria’s deep appreciation for Eastern medicine has motivated her to explore an array of treatment styles in order to provide her patients with the best possible care. She utilizes a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element, and Applied Channel Theory to create supportive, individualized treatments that address both physical and emotional well being. With additional therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and electrical stimulation (e-stim), Victoria creates a space that allows the body’s innate healing response to naturally unfold.
Through her studies, Victoria has developed a profound respect for the role that meditation plays in healing and incorporates grounding techniques into each treatment. She is passionate about creating a calm, centered environment where patients can reconnect with their bodies and find relief from the constant noise of everyday life.
Victoria has additional training in pediatrics and pregnancy support which allows her to offer nurturing, tailored care for mothers and children. She is also deeply committed to supporting mental-emotional health.
When she’s not working, you can find Victoria enjoying quiet moments at the beach, diving into a good book, or spending quality time with friends and family. She values balance in both her personal and professional life and brings that same intention to the care she provides her patients.
Dr. Melissa B. Gatto
Dr. Melissa B. Gatto
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Licensed Acupuncturist
Dr. Melissa B. Gatto is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist with advanced training in both acupuncture and integrative care. She earned her Master’s degree in Acupuncture from the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and went on to complete her Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She is also a Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner and board certified by the NCCAOM.
Clinically, Dr. Gatto specializes in musculoskeletal conditions, with a particular focus on neck and low back pain, as well as aesthetic acupuncture and facial rejuvenation treatments. Her treatment approach integrates Traditional Chinese medicine with modern, functional perspectives to support pain relief, mobility, and overall wellness.
Professionally, Dr. Melissa has experience working alongside a chiropractor and later founded and operated her own successful acupuncture practice in Northern New Jersey for four years before relocating to Monmouth County. She also works as a distributor for a company utilizing topical stem cell technology to support pain management and tissue health.
Her professional interests are strongly rooted in functional medicine, where she continues to pursue advanced, self-directed education and plans for further formal training. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and baby daughter, traveling, being at the beach, and snowboarding. She is also a former competitive gymnast and Level 5 All Star cheer competitor.