About Melisa Skyrm, MAc, LAc, Dipl Ac
Dr. Melisa Skyrm, D.Ac. is a nationally Board-Certified licensed Acupuncturist who is committed to health and well-being. It is her goal to help people heal, have less pain, relax and become more connected. In addition to achieving a Master's degree in Acupuncture in Seattle in 2002, she was named a 2010 SJ Super Woman in SJ Magazine as well as mentioned in the 2011 NJ Top Docs. Melisa also became a 2011 Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program. In order to further her studies and knowledge, she completed her Doctorate in Acupuncture in 2020. The following year, in 2021, she studied oncology acupuncture and received an International Oncology Certificate from TCM Academy of Integrative Medicine led by an international group of medical personnel from Israel, Germany, and the United States.
Dr. Skyrm has experience treating a wide range of health concerns. She has studied a variety of therapeutic modalities to help customize treatments for each patient. Melisa sees herself as a partner who helps facilitate healing by offering a holistic approach. She offers acupuncture, Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) allergy and sensitivity clearing techniques, massage/tuina, cupping, moxibustion, detoxification techniques, as well as nutrition/food choices and relaxation techniques.
A South Jersey native, who grew up learning about healthy eating and complementary medicine from her grandparents, she moved to Seattle in 1993 where she learned more about health and wellness. In her early years there, Melisa was involved in corporate America and accomplished many successful projects, including managing the creation of an intranet site for a Fortune 500 Company, now called Genworth, in 1997 (in the early days for web-based company applications). She also had the opportunity to work in Mexico City to create a subsidiary of the Fortune 500 company to house investments for the newly privatized Social Security system.
After her corporate success, Dr. Skyrm decided to pursue her childhood dream to become an acupuncturist and to help people. She completed a 3-year full time Master of Acupuncture degree at the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and graduated in 2002. In order to increase her palpation skills and knowledge of muscles, Melisa studied massage therapy at Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle. She also took additional classes at Bastyr University to increase her science and acupuncture knowledge. In addition to general clinic rotations, Dr. Skyrm was involved in specialty clinic rotations in a variety of settings while completing her internship:
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Harborview Medical Center Chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia clinic, downtown Seattle
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Providence Mount Saint Vincent’s geriatrics and post-stroke care clinic, West Seattle
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The Country Doctor HIV/AIDs program, Capitol Hill, Seattle
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OB/Gyn rotations, NIAOM clinic, Freemont, Seattle
In 2008, Melisa returned to New Jersey to be with family and to share her expertise. Since returning she continues to expand her knowledge in order to help people deal with pain and allergies. In 2010, Dr. Skyrm began working with and learning from Helen Law L.Ac., PhD in Princeton where the practice is consistently named The Best of Princeton. Dr. Skyrm was amazed at the results that hundreds of clients received from the AAT treatments at the Princeton clinic that in 2014, she purchased an AAT system to bring the much-needed tool to South Jersey.
Dr. Skyrm is actively involved in holistic approaches in her life as well. She has been involved in the community to offer her systems thinking knowledge. She submitted solutions to improve recycling and trash efforts in the community. She has been on the Green Team for Cherry Hill Township and Kellman Brown school. Melisa was also an Executive member and Board member of Sustainable Cherry Hill while they were presented with a DEP award for sustainability in our region. She was interviewed by nationally recognized Restaurant magazine for her composting work in local restaurants which helped Cherry Hill receive national attention. Dr. Skyrm helped divert hundreds of tons of recyclables from landfills from the Cherry Hill public schools by conducting audits of the schools and training the staff. Melisa has had the privilege and opportunity to speak and teach about sustainability in schools, businesses, churches, government buildings and to organizations.
Some techniques Dr. Skyrm has studied and may utilize in sessions:
Acupuncture techniques:
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Acutonics- used for sensitive individuals instead of needles. Studied under Donna Carey, who was also the Dean of her acupuncture school, N.I.A.O.M.
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Cupping and Thera cupping- a technique that utilizes suction, mimicking the effects of a deep tissue massage without as much pain. It helps Increase blood flow and lymphatic flow to an injured area. Used for pain relief, muscle spasms, scar treatments, sports injuries, coughs, colds.
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Ear Acupuncture- widely used for detoxification.
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Electrical Stimulation- used to reduce pain, also used to help with labor preparation.
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Moxibustion- a Chinese herb that helps increase circulation, relax muscles and boosts the immune system. It is effective in helping with arthritis, spine conditions, immune conditions, coldness in hands/ feet/ low back.
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Japanese Acupuncture- a gentle approach used especially in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, also for acute pain caused by car accidents and concussions.
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Scalp Acupuncture- this technique is used for pain, detoxification, strokes.
Allergy Techniques:
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AAT/ Advanced Allergy Therapeutics- Allergy and Sensitivity symptom clearing. Non-invasive, painless and needleless techniques that relieve allergy and sensitivity symptoms.
Pain and Balancing Techniques
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Dr Tan Balancing Method- studied with Dr Richard Tan, L.Ac., Seatte WA, February 2015
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Brimhall techniques- studied with Dr. John Brimhall, D.C., Philadelphia, PA, October 2014
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PNT- Pain Neutralization techniques- studied with Dr. Stephen Kaufman, D.C. in Denver, Colorado, October 2013
Massage Techniques
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Acupressure- pressure is used on points instead of needle
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Craniosacral therapy
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Energy techniques
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Essential Oils- quality wild crafted oils are used to increase healing in areas of pain, help with emotions/mood elevation, and assist in respiratory conditions such as colds/flu.
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Foot Massage and Reflexology- points on the feet are pressed or oils are put on specific points to help balance out the system.
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Gua sha- this ancient scraping technique is wonderful for scars, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, colds/coughs.
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Lymphatic Drainage- massage styles to improve lymphatic flow.
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Post Mastectomy Massage- massage techniques after lumpectomies and mastectomies to reduce lymphatic congestion, to decrease scar tissue and pain, and to increase range of motion.
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Tuina/ Chinese Medical Massage- deep tissue techniques used to help balance the body.