Maria Furlano, L.Ac., is a California Licensed Acupuncturist, and received her Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Magna Cum Laude, from Emperor’s College in 2005. Maria is certified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Clean Needle Technique, and is a member of the American Acupuncture Council, and the American Association of Acupuncture Oriental Medicine. Receiving her undergraduate training at the Boston Conservatory of Music, with a focus in dance, movement and voice, has enabled her to truly understand and specialize in the needs of her patients that are dancers, athletes, and musicians.

Since 1996 Maria has been teaching, as well as treating Injuries, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Scar Tissue reduction, and Stress Related Syndromes, using Myofascial Therapies, Therapeutic Stretching Exercises, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, and Qi Gong exercises. Maria is a certified instructor by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education since 2000.  In 2000 she joined the Touch Therapy Institute as a Master Class, continuing education instructor for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation including Anatomy and Physiology, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and Medical Qi Gong Exercises; and since 2006 has been teaching with the National Holistic Institute.  Maria has taught Theatrical Movement, Stage Combat, and Breathing Techniques to children and adults at The Boston Conservatory of Music in 1994, The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in 1998, and the UCLA summer youth program in 1998.  Maria has been a Qi Gong instructor with The Lion Heart Institute of Transpersonal Energy Healing in Los Angeles, since 2005.

Maria began studying the Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster David Chaanine in 1987, and continued her studies for the next 12 years.  Maria’s training with such a skilled and respected Grandmaster was truly the driving force behind her desire to understand the human body, how it moves, how it heals, and how we expand.  Maria credits Grandmaster David Chaanine for teaching her how to instruct others about the mechanics of their bodies. Maria’s interest in the body and Martial Arts took her to Beijing, China in 2001 and again in 2002 for an intensive training and exploration of Medical Qi Gong with Master Su Jian Wan. Her interests in the energy systems of the body also lead her to study Reiki with Grandmaster Brid Sheehan in 2003.  In 2005, Maria trained in the Vodder technique - Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, under Julie Beck, D.C., M.S., C.S.C.S., in which she uses to complement many chronic conditions.  Completing her Clinical Externship in 2005, with Cri-Help, a Drug and Alcohol treatment facility under Shelly Bobbins, RN, L.Ac., QME in association with Emperor’s College; Maria continues to use Acupuncture to reduce the post withdrawal effects of addictions.

Maria specializes in Injuries, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Addictions, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Scar Tissue Reduction, Stress, and Stress Related Digestive disorders. She also regularly prescribes Qi Gong Exercises for injury treatment and prevention, lowering of blood pressure, sleep disorders, headache, PMS, arthritis, addictions, IBS, Fibromyalgia, and general health.