About Me

Dr. Fern is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Washington, with advanced clinical training from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM).
Chotika (Fern) Thongnuepad Malmstadt DACM, L.Ac.Fern Acupuncture LLC
Meet Dr. Fern

A Few Words About Me

My path to medicine began in Bangkok, Thailand, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Oriental Medicine from Rangsit University. I later moved to the U.S. to deepen my training, completing both my Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM)—one of the most respected acupuncture schools in the country.

With a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DACM) and licensure in Washington, I help bring a rare combination of cultural depth, clinical precision, and intuitive care.
My work is grounded in the belief that true healing happens when the body, mind, and spirit are treated as one.

Specializes in:
Chronic pain & tension (neck, back, knee, frozen shoulders, headache and migraines)
Mental health (Stress, anxiety, and fatigue)
Women’s health (hormonal balance, PMS, cycle regulation)
Nervous system support & sleep issues

Fern's Picture

The Fern Method

A Rooted Approach to Restoring Balance.

The Fern Method is a personalized treatment framework that integrates classical East Asian medicine with modern nervous system awareness to support deep, sustainable healing.

It is built on three core principles:

-1 Regulate

Calm the nervous system and reduce internal stress load
→ supports sleep, digestion, mood, and pain sensitivity

-2 Release

Address physical and energetic stagnation in the body
→ using acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and moxa when appropriate

-3 Restore

Rebuild resilience and long-term balance
→ supporting energy, hormonal regulation, and vitality over time