Our Team
Dr. Mario Mancini
O.M.D., Licensed Acupuncturist, Qualified Medical Evaluator, Board Certified Nutrition Specialist, Medical Director of Center for Integrative Care
Read More
Dr. Mario Mancini, O.M.D.
Driven by his passion for mind/body peak performance, Dr. Mancini strives to achieve excellence for his patients. As a doctor of Oriental medicine, he assists his patients with a variety of health issues including acute and chronic pain, healthy weight loss, and the impact of all forms of stress and strain on the body.
He received his Doctorate in Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.) from South Baylo University. As a graduate of the first professional California approved Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Dr. Mancini practices with the highest standards of Oriental medicine making a complete integration into the present health care system. Using evidence-based treatment guidelines in standard scientific and medical terminology, he is able to communicate and integrate with the medical community. As a primary care doctor, Dr. Mancini is trained to determine when referrals are necessary.
Dr. Maryna Smolnikava
DACM, Licensed Acupuncturist
Read More
Dr. Maryna Smolnikava immigrated from Belarus in 2004 to the East Coast where she finished a BA in Political Science and had a career in International recruiting for 7 years. In 2011 she decided to pursue her passion for medicine and attended the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego where she received Master of Science and Doctor of Chinese Medicine degrees.
She is devoted to studying different native traditions and extensively traveled across America, Peru, Bali, India, Colombia, Hawaii, Russia. She gained wisdom from different parts of the world and created her own unique approach to a transformational healing experience.
During her sessions she focuses on physical, mental and emotional traumas, reprogramming unhealthy belief systems and somatic patterns, pain management and trauma recovery. She works on body, mind, spirit levels to help realign energies and reprogram cell memory. Dr. Maryna incorporates sports/ortho techniques, five elements, somatic experiencing method, muscle release and nervous system reset, muscle testing, theta healing, etc. She is passionate about inspiring others to lead a healthy lifestyle and live lives that they deserve. She teaches concrete coping skills as well as providing health and wellness education to patients.
Philosophy: Health is the new wealth. Our physical health is closely related to our emotional and spiritual state. Unresolved emotions and stress dis-regulates our nervous system and creates blockages in the body’s mechanism that gives rise to a repetitive cycle of pain, injuries, anxiety, panic attacks, dissociation, etc. First we must address stress and tension resulting from any trauma and identify the belief system associated with it before the nervous system can return to homeostasis and then introduce to other types of therapies.
Dr. David Wachtel
DACM, Licensed Acupuncturist
Read More
Dr. Wachtel’s passion for Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine was born from his commitment to athletics, outdoor pursuits, and the quest for a life free of pain and illness. A two-time Ironman triathlete, he began by serving the Los Angeles triathlon community as a Sports Massage Therapist in 2008, quickly rising in popularity due to his powerful result-oriented treatments. Recognizing the transformative power of Acupuncture, and inspired by his father’s long career in medicine, Dr. Wachtel began his transition to a career as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Dr. Wachtel’s unique approach combines aspects of Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture theory with contemporary Sports Acupuncture protocols, tying in several powerful and transformative manual therapy modalities in a session specifically tailored to the needs of each patient. Combating chronic or injury-related pain, discomfort, dysfunction, and stress is the driving force in his work and helps to keep his patients moving freely, recovering swiftly, and performing to their highest level in their careers, activities, and daily lives.
When not focused on his patients’ health and well-being, Dr. Wachtel can be found trekking through the High Sierra in search of secret fly fishing spots, exploring the depths of tropical reefs around the world, or spending quality time on the trail or the beach with his dog.
“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha
Patricia Schantz
Director of Operations
Read More
Patricia has been with CFIC since 2013. When Patricia is not working at CFIC, you can find her teaching group exercise classes at the gym or enjoying some fun in the sun. She is passionate about health & fitness and self improvement. She loves to cook vegan meals and is obsessed with raising Monarch Butterflies at her home in Ocean Beach. Her work at the Center ties in well to what she does outside of the Center, which is staying active & surrounding herself with positive people who are on the same path.
Deeba Nabizad
Lead Wellness Associate / New Patient Coordinator
Read More
Deeba is originally from the Bay area and moved to San Diego in late 2022. Shortly after moving she joined the CFIC team. She is our Lead Wellness Associate and our New Patient Coordinator Extraordinaire!! On her free time, you will find Deeba working out, exploring sunny San Diego and finding new adventures in her new town. She loves all things related to health and wellness and enjoys seeing the positive changes in our patients!
Stephanie Soares-Soto
Wellness Associate