iris Martin, L.ac, dipl.om (Pasadena & Carlsbad)
Hi! I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Yoga Instructor, and the founder of VIM. It is my passion to help others feel their best.
I have a background in social services, psychology, and education. After working for nearly a decade with special needs children, I began studying and teaching yoga with the hopes of bringing more balance and peace into my life. Since 2008, I have been teaching a variety of yoga classes from Prenatal to Vinyasa flow in studios as well as in private settings. I have always been an athlete, and played volleyball year-round growing up. My love of movement and sports was a natural precursor to my fascination with and study of the body.
I became inspired by personal experiences receiving acupuncture and decided to go back to school for my Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In acupuncture I have found my true calling and I am blessed to be able to draw from knowledge gained in all parts of my personal and professional life. I focused on pain relief and pain management in school and received an additional certification in Sports Medicine. I studied under amazing teachers learning how to apply different techniques to speed healing time, increase range of motion, and decrease and eliminate pain. This medicine is such a practical tool for athletes and should be incorporated into training plans for optimal performance, injury prevention, and recovery. I love treating pain related to postural issues, ergonomics, and repetitive stress injuries as well.
I graduated from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz and worked for many years in Los Gatos, CA at a family-centered practice treating the full gamut of imbalances such as allergies, migraines, pain, digestive issues, etc. As our lives tend to inform our practices, this clinic also focused on fertility, prenatal, and postpartum care and I was fortunate to be a part of this group throughout my own fertility struggle and IVF pregnancy. Acupuncture was an integral part of my journey and this experience added a layer to my learning and expertise that I didn’t anticipate but am so grateful for. Being able to help patients facing similar challenges is one of the many silver linings of my personal journey. I will forever be passionate about helping women conceive and care for their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. I found myself facing a new set of obstacles and an opportunity to blend my knowledge of eastern medicine with the aggressive but life-saving approaches of western medicine. I am now cancer-free and even more grateful for each day that I am here to love and serve. These “accidental” specialties have expanded me in ways that weren’t accessible before and have blessed me with the ability to more compassionately care for my patients.
In my spare time I relish the young years with my rainbow baby and seek out new adventures. I love reading, exercising, traveling, and enjoying nature.
Dr. Nathalie Galvez, DAcM, L.Ac. (pasadena)
Hi, I’m Dr. Nathalie Galvez, a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine based in Pasadena. I am of Salvadoran heritage and speak Spanish fluently. I’m here to help you feel better, naturally—and to support you in taking charge of your health in a way that feels empowering, grounded, and real.
My journey into healing work began long before I ever picked up a needle. I earned my B.A. in Psychology and Italian from Vassar College, and right after graduating, I began working with teen girls—ages 13 to 17—who were pregnant or parenting. I supported them through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, helping them care for their bodies and emotions during one of the most life-changing times imaginable. That experience lit a fire in me—a passion for supporting mothers and advocating for women’s health that’s been with me ever since.
From there, I worked with children diagnosed with autism, learning firsthand how deeply health and wellness are tied to family dynamics, daily routines, and emotional resilience. Later, I worked with women affected by breast cancer, offering education, emotional support, and a safe space to talk through treatment, prevention, and everything in between.
Through all of these roles, I kept hearing the same thing: frustration. So many women felt unheard, overlooked, or underserved when it came to their health. I wanted to do something about it—which is what led me to Traditional Chinese Medicine. I earned my Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, with a focus on women’s health, anxiety, digestive health, and pain management.
On a personal note, I’ve also lived through some of these challenges myself. I have PCOS and found immense relief through acupuncture and herbal medicine. It helped me feel better in my body—more energized, more balanced—and that transformation is something I love sharing with others.
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy volunteering and giving back to the community whenever I can. My goal is to make acupuncture feel welcoming and accessible to everyone, no matter your age, background, or where you're at in your health journey.
I look forward to meeting you and supporting your wellness—body, mind, and spirit.