Meet Petaluma Acupuncturist, Aimee Ruiz, L.Ac., FABORM
Get to know more about Aimee Ruiz, licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in Sonoma County.
How did you become an acupuncturist?
When I was in my twenties, I had a lot of digestive issues that no one could figure out. I was about to go on some kind of medication, and a wise friend said to me, “Why don’t you try acupuncture first?” So, I did just that, and it changed my life. The healing I found was amazing, and the work I did outside of the treatment room also helped me to become more connected to my body and my own rhythms, as well as learn tools to take better care of myself. After that, I went on my merry way and continued on my path to become a social worker. It wasn’t until I realized my empathic heart was too tender for social work that I found acupuncture as a possible career for me, and it fit right away. I never looked back. It was one of those lightbulb moments where I thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” I realized that I would still get to help people, but also get to offer them this profound opportunity for healing. I’m grateful every day that I get to do this work.
What is your favorite Chinese herbal recipe and why?
Just one? How about two? In my Traditional Chinese medicine school training, we learned about pears steamed with fresh ginger (sheng jiang) and an herb called Chuan Bei Mu (fritillaria bulb) to help with coughs and phlegm. Most people don’t have access to Chuan Bei Mu and can cook or steam pears with ginger and still get great benefits, as pears are nourishing to the lungs and ginger has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and even antifungal properties. We use this for dry coughs and to help clear phlegm from the lungs! Check out the recipe here.
Another more well-known recipe is a decoction of fresh ginger and red dates (Da Zao or Hong Zao). This is great for building qi and blood to improve energy, warming the digestion, helping with premenstrual cramps, calming the spirit, and more. Food really is medicine, and that is one of the reasons I love Chinese herbal medicine so much.
Acupuncture for fertility and pregnancy became your calling along the way. Tell us a little about how that happened and what you love about this specialization.
While I was studying Chinese medicine in New York, one of my internships was on the labor and delivery floor of a hospital in Brooklyn. It was there that I fell head over heels in love with all things birth and pregnancy. I immediately knew I needed to learn everything I could about this transformative time in someone’s life. I went as far as becoming trained as a doula and later, almost becoming a midwife after attending 12 hospital and home births as an acupuncturist. It’s my absolute favorite time to support people with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. After practicing acupuncture for a few years, I became a senior member of OBAA, the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association, in good company with my mentors of many years. Once I was in practice, patients started seeking me out for fertility acupuncture, and I realized I needed to expand my knowledge to better serve those who are struggling to conceive. This led me to find an amazing mentor who was a fertility specialist, read many books, and take every class I could find, and finally to become ABORM-certified. I am currently the only OBAA acupuncturist in Northern California and ABORM-certified acupuncturist in Petaluma. And I say that not to brag but to share that this is my life’s work, and I’ve been dedicated to it for many years, and honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
How did you land in Sonoma County, and what do you love most about it?
Before landing here, I spent the last 20+ years living in cities - San Francisco, New York, and most recently, Oakland. During the pandemic, I started spending time in Petaluma and fell in love. After splitting my time between both places, I took the leap to become a full-time Petaluma resident a few years ago and joined my now stepfamily. I still commute to Oakland a few days a week to practice at my original location, East Bay Acupuncture, but I wanted to open a practice where I lived so I could be a part of the community, and that is how Nido Wellness was born in 2022! In Petaluma, I’ve loved the quiet, the open spaces, the oak trees, the sunshine, the small town feel, and most importantly, the amazingly welcoming and kind communities and people I’ve met these past few years.
Tell us about your favorite place to feel grounded.
In the forest, walking down a trail with only the sound of my own footsteps, birds chirping, and the wind rustling the trees. I also love being near water - a lake, a creek, the ocean, and hot springs are all incredibly soothing to my spirit.