Meet the Team
Acupuncturist
Melissa B. Gatto, DTCM, L.Ac
Dr. Melissa is an NCCAOM board-certified, licensed Acupuncturist & Dr. of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has always been intrigued in the more natural ways of healing since a young girl. Dr. Melissa graduated from Florida Gulf coast University with honors, & then went on to complete her master's program with honors at the Eastern School of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine. She continued her education journey by getting her doctorate at the University of Bridgeport in CT for her DTCM title (Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine) also with honors.
Melissa is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner who has transformed the bodies and lives of many of her patients.
She is working towards her Functional Medicine/Integrative Health Practitioner certificate to help patients through orthomolecular medicine, supplement expertise, & nutritional therapies. She has a major interest in functional medicine & looking at lab work a bit differently than mainstream physicians to help support patients to feel their absolute best. You can often find her educating patients on many various subjects regarding health & how to live a cleaner & more natural lifestyle.
Dr. Melissa is also certified to perform aesthetic services & offers a wide array of these beauty procedures. She is trained in microneedling, nanoneedling aesthetic acupuncture & provides a custom holistic facial with a focus on lymphatic drainage. She provides services for cellulite reduction & hair restoration as well as ionic foot bath detoxes!
Dr. Melissa specializes in lower back & neck pain & is a “pain specialist”, she tackles internal medicine conditions as well such as women’s health, fertility, anxiety, stress, & digestive/GI issues. "Traditional Chinese Medicine is a beautiful medical system in which it can treat the entire body."
Dr. Melissa is committed to helping her patients in all aspects of their lives & loves everything & anything health related.
As Dr. Melissa continues to educate & heal patients to help them feel & look their best, she has hopes in future to start building a family with her husband Paul, who you may find at the office helping from time to time, as well as their cat (Gatto) Martini who often is found sporting a Gatto Acupuncture & Wellness shirt.
Physical Therapist
Karen Garrett, PT, DPT, MCMT, CFMT
Dr. Karen is an accomplished Physical Therapist with many credentials and ventures under her belt. She was inspired at a young age to begin a career in physical therapy when her father became a quadriplegic. She attended Quinnipiac University, making Dean's List every semester and graduating with honors. She then went on to complete her Master's. She began working at clinics as a Physical Therapist in the New Jersey area while obtaining her Doctorate from Temple University. She then met her now husband and they moved together to Los Angeles. In California, Dr. Karen thrived in her career, becoming a clinic director then starting her own practice. Dr. Karen continuously seeks to expand her skills and knowledge and has successfully completed her Certification in Function Manual Therapy, a designation held by less than 10% of the physical therapists in the country. She has also completed the integration systems model in Vancouver, BC.
As Dr. Karen continues her specialization of the physical therapy craft, she has started a family of 2 beautiful children with her husband James. This has inspired her to move back to New Jersey, bringing her family closer to home. Dr. Karen prides herself in making it her mission to uncover the untapped potential in all of her patients so that they can live healthier and happier lives!
Massage Therapy
Chrystal Rijos
Chrystal is a passionate and dedicated massage therapist with over six years of experience in the field. Her deep commitment to the well-being of her clients is evident in every session, as she pours her heart and soul into providing personalized care. Chrystal is adept in various massage techniques, allowing her to cater to a wide range of needs and preferences. Whether it's soothing aching muscles, reducing stress, or improving circulation, she skillfully tailors each treatment to ensure the most beneficial outcomes for her patients. Her warm and empathetic nature not only heals physically but also uplifts spirits, making each therapy session a holistic healing experience.