About Us
The one and only community acupuncture clinic proudly serving Seaside in the Monterey Bay Area.
Healing
Care That Feels Human
La Palma Acupuncture is a community-based clinic serving Seaside and the Monterey Bay Area. We focus on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, by creating personalized care in a calm and supportive environment. Our clinic offers affordable sliding-scale pricing, experienced licensed practitioners, and bilingual support to help make care more accessible to the community.
Our Philosophy
At La Palma Acupuncture, we believe high-quality care should be accessible to everyone. Healing shouldn’t feel out of reach or intimidating. You deserve to receive top-level care in a space that feels welcoming, supportive, and real; no matter where you’re starting from. We’re a community-based clinic at heart. That means everyone matters here. Whether it’s your first time trying acupuncture or you’ve been on your healing journey for years, you’ll be met with the same level of care, attention, and respect. What makes us different is our commitment to truly serving our community. Our providers speak Spanish, and we have Spanish-speaking staff, so more people can feel comfortable, understood, and cared for without language being a barrier.
Our approach is simple: we meet you where you’re at and support your body in doing what it’s naturally meant to do; heal. We don’t just focus on symptoms. We take the time to look at the full picture; your physical health, your stress, your lifestyle; because it’s all connected. Most importantly, we’ve created a space where you can feel at home. A place where you can come in, take a breath, and know you’re being taken care of.
Lalita Kirkman
Licensed Acupuncturist/Owner
Lalita’s journey from Reynosa, Mexico, to becoming a licensed acupuncturist in California is deeply rooted in her upbringing and early exposure to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Growing up in the countryside of La Palma, Michoacán, she developed an appreciation for acupuncture while assisting her father at his acupuncture clinic. Witnessing the transformative effects of this healing practice inspired her dedication to helping others and serving her community.
After moving to the United States, Lalita began her academic studies at South Texas College and later continued her education at the Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. During her internship, she focused on pain management.
She later continued her education in California, where she earned a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland.
Lalita now practices as a licensed acupuncturist in California and specializes in Balance Method Acupuncture and distal acupuncture. She has been in practice since 2017 and is proud to have provided over 30,000 treatments to the community over the years.
She is bilingual in English and Spanish and continues to pursue professional advancement through certification as a National Diplomate of Oriental Medicine through the NCCAOM.
Outside of her practice, she enjoys cooking vegetarian food, spending time with family and friends, dancing, taking road trips, and being a wife and mama to two boys.
Kim Dickerson
Practice Manager
Kim brings more than a decade of healthcare operations and clinical leadership experience to her role as Practice Manager. Her background includes practice operations, team development, quality improvement, and creating systems that support both providers and patients.
With experience across a variety of healthcare settings, Kim is passionate about building an organized, collaborative, and welcoming practice environment! She works closely with the clinical and administrative teams to support day-to-day operations, strengthen the patient experience, and ensure providers have the resources they need to deliver exceptional care.
Kim values thoughtful leadership, strong communication, and creating an environment where both patients and team members feel supported.
Cindy Salazar
Licensed acupuncturist
Cindy Salazar is a licensed acupuncturist practicing at La Palma Acupuncture Clinic, dedicated to restoring balance and vitality through natural, time-tested healing modalities.
Holding a Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University, Cindy developed a passion for holistic wellness early on, driven by a lifelong interest in natural alternatives that support the body's innate ability to heal.
At La Palma Acupuncture Clinic, Cindy combines classical Chinese medicine principles with individualized patient care, providing gentle and effective treatments tailored to each person’s unique path to wellness.
Dr. Angus Gray
Licenced Acupuncturist
Dr. Angus Gray was introduced to Chinese medicine in childhood, receiving herbal formulas from his grandfather whenever he was sick. His early fascination with martial arts led him to start learning taijiquan from his grandfather and Shou Tsu Do Kung Fu under Sifu Wayne and Bunny Owen.
At 17, a serious injury shifted his focus from hard training to the healing side of taiji and qigong. This sparked a deeper interest in the mind–body connection, which he explored while earning an AS in sports medicine and a BS in psychology. He continued teaching throughout, often hearing how his exercises eased students’ pain.
After college, Angus worked in a secure psychiatric facility, using breathwork and herbal teas to help patients regulate their nervous systems. Today, he draws on this lifelong training to treat patients of all ages with a gentle, playful, and compassionate approach.
Dr. Sierra Abchal
Licenced Acupuncturist
Dr. Sierra Abchal is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist based in Santa Cruz. Her path into medicine began with a deep love of plants and a desire to study herbalism, which led her into the world of acupuncture.Through her training, Sierra discovered a sense of purpose in helping people feel better in real, tangible ways. Hearing patients say they feel relief, more at ease, or truly healed continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of her work. She brings a grounded and intuitive presence to her practice, paired with strong clinical training. Her approach blends traditional Chinese medicine with a modern understanding of the body, focusing on nervous system regulation, pain relief, and whole-body wellness. For Sierra, this medicine is about channeling care, attention, and energy into something that genuinely supports people’s lives.
Cynthia Acuna
Medical Assistant, Patient Support
My name is Cynthia Acuna, and I’m a Medical Assistant with a background in agriculture and quality control. This experience has helped me build a strong work ethic and strong attention to detail.
I completed my training at the Center for Employment Training and worked at Doctors on Duty, an urgent care clinic, from 2021 to 2025.
I truly enjoy helping people and making patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visits. Building positive connections and creating a welcoming environment is very important to me.
Outside of work, I enjoy camping, roller skating, and dancing.
Jennifer Plosser
Patient Support
Jennifer joined the La Palma family in the winter of 2026, bringing with her a strong background in administrative management and a passion for holistic wellness. She is currently attending Monterey Peninsula College as a pre-nursing student while also pursuing studies in psychology, reflecting her commitment to comprehensive patient care. Jennifer previously worked at a successful acupuncture clinic in Monterey alongside the late Dr. Hector Prestera, where she gained valuable experience in integrative health practices.
Driven, compassionate, and family-oriented, Jennifer is dedicated to both her personal and professional growth. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending quality time with her daughter, friends, and family, and exploring the outdoors. She has a deep appreciation for Eastern medicine and natural healing approaches and looks forward to continuing to expand her knowledge in these areas as she advances her education.
Self Care
Let the Healing Begin
A chance to heal begins with your first appointment.