Bellevue, WA

My name is Miao-Keng Shen, and I was born in Taiwan, where my father practiced Chinese medicine. I speak Mandarin fluently. From a young age, I experienced its benefits firsthand. My father would mix herbal powder into my milk to strengthen my stomach and spleen, which helped improve my digestion and overall health. Growing up, I witnessed many challenging cases where patients found relief through Chinese medicine. One particularly memorable case involved a patient who had been experiencing uncontrollable mouth tremors for several years without any other symptoms. After just a few weeks of Chinese medicine treatment, his condition completely resolved.

I graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Tamkang University. After working for a few years, I realized that it was not my true passion. Inspired by my father’s work, I decided to pursue Traditional Chinese Medicine. This journey led me to Canada, where I earned my Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Tzu Chi International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Vancouver in 2021. During my studies, I developed a deep interest in acupuncture and gained valuable clinical experience. I also had the opportunity to complete a mentorship at one of my teacher’s clinics, where I focused on pain relief treatments.

Outside of my professional life, I love to travel and enjoy spending time in nature through camping and hiking. Being surrounded by nature helps me feel refreshed and rejuvenated, allowing me to slow down and unwind from daily life. Five years ago, I moved to Seattle, and now I am a licensed a practitioner of acupuncture and Eastern medicine. I look forward to helping patients improve their health and well-being.

Zen Attitude Acupuncture in Bellevue, WA proudly features Xavier G. Aponte, a bilingual acupuncturist and integrative medicine practitioner dedicated to compassionate, personalized care. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Xavier’s early appreciation for holistic health, community, and mind-body-spirit connection led him to study Naturopathic Medicine and later Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine—blending Eastern wisdom with Western medical science.

After moving to Washington State, Xavier trained at Bastyr University, completing 2,000+ clinical hours and 3,000+ patient contacts. His experience includes volunteering as a medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients, reinforcing his belief that effective healing begins with understanding, trust, and clear communication. His first acupuncture treatment at Bastyr sparked a profound personal shift and inspired a career devoted to medicine that restores balance and resilience.

At Zen Attitude Acupuncture, Xavier provides individualized, results-focused care for adults seeking natural support for complex and everyday health concerns. His clinical interests include:

• Adjunctive oncology care
• Pain management and neuropathy
• Anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic stress, and fatigue
• Digestive disorders
• Women’s and men’s health
• Stroke and Bell’s palsy support

Xavier integrates a comprehensive toolkit to tailor each treatment plan:

• Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular and scalp acupuncture
• Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion
• Craniosacral therapy and trigger point release
• Tui na, gua sha, and cupping
• A strong grounding in Western medical understanding to inform assessment and strategy

Guided by empathy and clinical intuition, Xavier helps patients restore healthy flow, function, and balance—reminding them that health is like running water: clear and vibrant when moving freely. As a bilingual practitioner (English | Español) with Hispanic and Latin American roots, he creates a welcoming, culturally aware space where every person feels seen, heard, and supported.

Serving Bellevue and the greater Eastside (including Seattle, Kirkland, and Redmond), Xavier welcomes new patients seeking acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for whole-person wellness.

Katie has had a family emergency and her schedule is not open at this time. Thank you for understanding. Please call or text the office if you would like a recommendation for a different provider.

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Katie Pierce is a licensed acupuncturist in Bellevue, WA at Zen Attitude Acupuncture and has accumulated over 3,000 hours of patient contact and clinical practice to date.

Katie specializes in two highly effective acupuncture styles—Dr. Richard Tan’s Balance Method and Master Tung’s Image Technique—that restore balance both internally and externally. She integrates sports medicine techniques with electrical stimulation to promote faster healing and pain relief. Her comprehensive, results-driven approach blends acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle guidance, therapeutic exercises, topicals, and supplements to support health and well-being.

Helping people feel better and live pain-free is her greatest fulfillment. Her heart is fully invested in this field, and seeing her patients relieved from their pain brings her immense joy. She prioritizes comfort, consent, and relaxation, offering a gentle and attentive touch that provides significant relief from various internal and external pain conditions.