Meet Our Team

KenkoDo was established in an effort to join different practitioners in one space to improve the health and beauty of those in the Somerville community and beyond. We began with Amal Niccoli since 1984 and added KenkoDo in 2013 to complete and unite health and beauty.

​KenkoDo means "the path to health" in Japanese, and that is exactly what we provide to the members of our health community: guidance on their journeys back to health using acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We deeply believe in medicine that empowers patients to embrace a partnership in maintaining their health.

Learn more about our team of professionals and their experience below.

Lori Pino

Owner / Acupuncturist

Lori is the owner of Amal Niccoli and KenkoDo. Her interest in cosmetology and hair care began at Somerville High School.  After earning her Associates Degree in Business Management in 1988, she took a leap and moved to California to land a job growing and managing a hair salon for a big Japanese corporation.  A couple years and a wealth of experience later, Lori again returned to Somerville, where she purchased Amal Niccoli in 1991, and ultimately moving the business to its current location in Ball Square. Lori found herself continually interested in health and beauty care, and was particularly drawn to natural ways to improve balance in the body.  This curiosity is what piqued her interest in studying Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing with origins in India (and the basis for Aveda products).  Lori privately studied this medicine for 10 years, and, inspired by the profound effect that herbs could have on health, decided to pursue a formal degree in herbal medicine.  In 2011, she graduated with a Masters degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture.  Shortly thereafter, she built and opened KenkoDo, located next door to Amal Niccoli in Ball Square.  Today, Lori is licensed and certified to perform micro-needling treatment. 

Angelica Vasquez

Aesthetician

Angelica Vasquez is a highly skilled aesthetician with a unique blend of expertise. Holding a degree in marketing from Suffolk University, as well as a state license in Aesthetics from Elizabeth Grady, Angelica possesses a rare combination of business insight and a deep rooted passion for skin care. With this passion and knowledge she is eager and committed to sharing the beauty of skin care with her clients. In addition she has earned master certifications in key areas such as brow waxing, dermaplanning and advanced facial massage. With a creative marketing background and knowledge of aesthetics, she delivers exceptional skin care solutions tailored to each individual, insuring a radiant and revitalized complexion for all clients.

Angelica's  Hours: 
Tues, Wed: 12pm - 8pm (every other))
Thurs:  9am - 2pm
Sat:  9am - 5pm 

Gina Hughes

RNC / BSN

Gina is a RNC, BSN with over 30 years experience and is currently a nurse educator. Gina received her Bachelor’s degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing and worked as a nursing supervisor, director and various other positions in community health and institutional settings. 

Estella Fan

Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc), Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Estella was determined to be in the field of medicine from an early age. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from MCPHS in Pre-Med Health Science and Minor in Psychology. She continued to do her Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Doctorate of Acupuncture at the New England School of Acupuncture. She believes in an integrative approach to medicine which led her towards Eastern Medicine, which focuses on treating the whole system instead of individually.
 
Estella is currently board certified by the NCCAOM and licensed in MA. She interned at the Beijing Children’s Hospital and at Boston Medical Center. She specializes in women’s health, fertility, pain management, sports medicine, mental health, digestion, asthma, dermatology, and facial acupuncture. She uses acupuncture and adjunctive techniques including electroacupuncture, guasha, and cupping.
 
When Estella is not in the clinic she enjoys being in the outdoors in nature, jogging, kayaking, or hiking.

Estella 's Hours: 
Tues.:  9am - 5pm
Thurs:  12pm - 8pm
Sat:  9am - 5pm 

Lisa Goldfarb

I have been a massage therapist for over 30 years. In 2017 I earned my Masters degree in Acupuncture from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (formerly New England School of Acupuncture). My massage certification is in the Swedish modality with coursework over the years in Sports massage, Shiatsu, Trager, Pediatrics, Tuina, facial massage, Self Healing Therapy and Chair massage. I work with many populations and issues (Children, athletes, musicians, the elderly, people with disabilities and/or spinal cord injuries, chronic illness, stress reduction). 

As my career has progressed, I have grown to appreciate the power that massage therapy has in reducing pain , relieving anxiety and stress and boosting the overall health and immunity of the body. When I merge  acupuncture and it’s adjunct modalities (Cupping and Moxabustion) with massage therapy, the results are even more profound. My passion is working with my patients to bring about positive changes in their health and well-being. My joy is watching that happen.
*Lisa is not accepting new patients at this time

​LAC/ LMT

Dawn E. Slack

Massage Therapist

I graduated from the Muscular Therapy Institute/Cortiva Institute's 900 hour massage therapy program in March 2008. I followed this up with additional training in prenatal massage, deep tissue techniques, and Reiki 1 transmission. I worked as a teacher's aide at MTI/Cortiva, volunteered as the education co-chair for the Mass Chapter of the AMTA, and offered volunteer bodywork at the Multiservice Eating Disorders Association. I spent 7 years in beautiful Washington State before recently returning to Somerville with my wife, our kids, and our dog.  

My philosophy is that when we feel comfortable in our bodies, we can heal deeply.   Does bodywork fix everything? No! And you should be skeptical of anyone who claims that it does!   I have, however, both witnessed (and personally experienced!) some profound shifts via skilled and compassionate bodywork. 

Relaxation. When you are able to reduce stress reactions and hormones, your whole system benefits: improved immune function; better sleep; less anxiety and more positive mood, overall; reduced pain and tension. Your body can heal itself more effectively.  Empowerment. Many people have experienced their bodies as sites of trauma and hostility. I welcome clients to express their needs and boundaries, and construct a treatment plan based on informed consent. Clients are able to shift their relationship with their bodies and experience compassion, kindness, strength, a sense of agency, and pleasure...sometimes for the first time in a long time, or ever. 

Education. I take what I see and what I've learned over time to help you understand why you might be experiencing discomfort in  your body and make referrals and self-care suggestions if you want them. 

Targeted therapeutic bodywork. Sometimes you have postural habits, injuries, medical conditions, scar tissue, or something else going on in your body that is keeping you in pain or discomfort, and specific work on the muscles and connective tissues can go a long way in improving your condition. In the past, I've had great success with complaints such as: thoracic outlet syndrome, sciatica, headaches, and plantar fascistic.

Dawn's hours:
Tuesday: 2:30-6:00
Thursday: 3:30-6:00
Fri:  4:00-6:30
additional availability upon request

Join Our Team

We're hiring, click below to see the full job descriptions.

Lynda Aylward

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KenkoDo is my go to for skin care! The clinic offers such a calm, inviting and soothing environment with so many awesome services that it's hard to choose just one. Each room is cozy and immaculately clean and the professionalism is top notch!​

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Mary Jane​

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There is a noticeable difference in my skin brightness. My face looks tighter and more youthful. The treatment was painless and the staff was extremely knowledgeable and professional.  
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Kate

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I loved my micro needling experience at KenkoDo. The staff was very knowledgeable about the products and process. There was no pain whatsoever and very little redness directly after. I also received a moisturizing mask to use at home after the treatment that really brought out the effects of the micro needling. My skin was so clear and so smooth and I noticed a reduction in fine lines around my eyes. I loved that it was a natural skincare treatment!

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Susan

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I was thrilled with the results after receiving a series of micro needling treatments at KenkoDo Clinic. My skin glowed, felt great and my pores were significantly diminished. Lori was professional and knowledgeable and the spa was clean and quite pleasant. I had an excellent experience and looked forward to my treatments!

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