Meet Our Staff

Jennifer Layne McDonald - Owner and Acupuncturist/Dry Needling Specialist

M.S, L.Ac - Nationally NCCAOM and NJ Board Certified

In 2013 Jennifer founded JLAW in Rutherford, NJ.

Jennifer began her acupuncture studies at the Eastern School of Acupuncture in Montclair, NJ where she learned the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style of acupuncture and then furthered her studies at the Tri-State College of Acupuncture  in New York, NY. 

At Tri-State Jen was taught the modern style of Acupuncture Physical Medicine, often referred to as “trigger point” therapy and "dry needling."  Jennifer has also completed courses in Neurofunctional Acupuncture and is well-versed in the application of Janet Travell's trigger point manual and Thomas Myers' Anatomy Trains via dissection labs.   By combining these styles of acupuncture and anatomy theory along with her B.S. in Dietetics, Jen is able to maintain a very unique practice.

Well versed in the functional movement of athletes and sport specific dynamics of movement, Jen has much experience tailoring treatments for both player performance optimization, preventing injury and accelerating recovery. She prides herself in her ability to find the root of the problem to ensure long term results.

Jen is also honored to currently be the acupuncturist for the New York Giants and all Seton Hall Sports

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Jing Jing Wu - Acupuncturist

L.Ac - Nationally NCCAOM and NJ Board Certified

Jing graduated in 2015 from the Eastern School of Acupuncture and also has a Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. Growing up as the daughter of an acupuncturist, Jing learned about Chinese Medicine from her family’s traditions, where the medicine was part of every day life. In her practice, Jing incorporates her Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Acupuncture techniques to guide her patients toward lasting health.  She is also a master of giving practical and sustainable lifestyle and diet recommendations.

Specialties:  Digestive Issues, Auto-immune Disorders, Endocrine Imbalances, Hypothyroid, Hyperthyroid,Hashimotos/Graves, Circulatory and Respiratory Diseases, Oncology Care, Pediatrics

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Gabriella Sahyoun-Acupuncturist

Nationally NCCAOM and NJ Board Certified Herbalist

Gabriella completed her Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM).

Her clinical training included internships at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in the Integrative Oncology Department, the Initiative for Women with Disabilities at NYU Langone Hospital, and Housing Works Downtown Brooklyn Health Center.

Gabs has a particular interest in the areas of pain management, stroke rehabilitation & neurological conditions, women’s health, mental & emotional disorders, and oncology.  

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Magda Karpowicz -Massage Therapist

New Jersey Licensed Massage Therapist, LMT

As veteran massage therapist, Magda loves creating personalized massage treatments based on her clients unique needs.

With a former career in physical education and experience working with professional athletes, Magda is a phenomenal deep tissue and trigger point therapist. In addition, she also is certified in pre/post natal massage and softer Swedish style techniques.

She is comfortable navigating a patient’s comfort level and working together to find the perfect mix of pressure and technique to allow for the highest quality treatment style.

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Steve Schwabik-Massage Therapist

New Jersey Licensed Massage Therapist, LMT

With over a decade of experience, Steve is educated in varied massage modalities including Swedish, Thai, Deep Tissue, Sports massage, Shiatsu and Anma, as well as Reflexology and Aromatherapy.

Steve often also works with clients doing assisted stretching and educates them on at-home techniques.

Always showing up with positive energy, Steve has an infectious laugh and a warm energy that exudes compassion, understanding and warmth.

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Renuka Pinto, PT

Owner, Renuka Pinto Physical Therapy

As an Australian trained therapist she has immense training and clinical experience in the schools of Maitland, McKenzie and Neurodynamic-Butler approaches of manual therapy.  Her resume of professional sports experience includes exciting work spanning from the 2008 Beijing Olympics to Wimbledon and the Indian Fed Cup Team. 

In her practice, Renuka’s areas of expertise are sports medicine, biomechanics, TMJ, neurological disorders and chronic pain. She has also developed treatment programs for adolescents and seniors. Women’s health treatments include female focused sports therapy as well as pregnancy support, and postpartum care. Patients often also work towards regaining pelvic floor strength and addressing diastasis recti.

Renuka will provide practical and realistic ways to work on alignment in between sessions while juggling demands of daily life. She excels at educating those struggling with understanding what is happening in their body as to “why” and “what” is causing dysfunction. With long term improvement being her goal, she aims to not only reduce pain but to empower patients through strengthening their understanding of their physicality and mind-body connection

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Rachel Rengifo, Ph.D

Psychologist- Director of “The Mindful Path to Psychological Care”

Taking care of our emotional well-being is important work. It is a skill set that is composed of insight into our thoughts and how they impact our emotions and behaviors. By better understanding what we feel, we then have freedom to make effective choices in how we cope with relationships and life's challenges. Balancing the demands of everyday life create opportunities for our emotional skill set to be put to the test. Yet, when life throws a curve ball the balance we precariously manage is completely set off kilter.

I work with clients across the developmental lifespan, drawing from over a decade of clinical training and professional work in various settings. I help adolescent and adult clients struggling with mood disorders, depression, and anxiety as well as managing the stress that arises from life transitions and relationships.

In addition, I have helped clients process challenges related to medical conditions, with special interest in perinatal and post-partum mood disorders and challenges for parents with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

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Ela Acuna, LMT 

New Jersey Licensed Massage Therapist

A Passionate and experienced massage therapist, Ela is dedicated promoting relaxation and wellness. Ela’s specialties include Mayan abdominal massage and deep tissue myofascial work. She aims to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction and promote circulation and balance.

“I take a pride in helping my patients achieve a state of balance and tranquility. Come join me on the journey to improved health and vitality through the power of touch.”

Ela has a B.S in Physical Therapy from studies in Manila, Philippines and is also currently enrolled at the Pacific College of Acupuncture, pursuing a Masters degree in Acupuncture. ☯️

Alicia K. Baez

Lead Office Coordinator

Having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Alicia is a creative thinker and thrives in coming up with entrepreneurial ideas. Her passions lie in the field of wellness, especially nutritional wellness and healing, specifically through plant-based eating.

Alicia is currently enrolled in the Eastern School of Acupuncture pursuing her Masters degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. She plans to infuse her entrepreneurial spirit with her love of health and wellness in order to help people heal mentally and physically. 👩🏽‍⚕️

Shari Ferguson-Murtha M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Patient Experience Director & Chief Landscape Designer

Shari holds a Master’s degree in counseling education from the Pennsylvania State University, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and National Board Certified Counselor (NCC), in private practice specializing in trauma response and suicide pre/inter and post-vention, holds New Jersey School Counselor certification and also holds certification as a Master Gardener from Rutgers University Cooperative Extension.

Retired from a career in higher education, Shari has overseen mental health counseling programs and also academic advising programs mostly working with Math, Science and Nursing majors as well as specializing with students considered academically “at risk”. She has developed and taught a variety of college courses in Psychology, Leadership and academic “survival skills”. Shari has created several proprietary programs pertaining to the areas of academic success for college students, stress management for children and adolescents and therapeutic gardening. 🌺

Angelica Krajnik

Patient Records/Billing Manager

Our “secret weapon” Angelica graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Justice Studies.

Angelica is a consistent worker and will push herself to finish any project or goals she sets for herself. Angelica seeks to attain work experience, and will do whatever it takes to peruse her oncoming career!

In her free time, you’ll find Angelica at a basketball court shooting threes, or playing video games with friends all around the world. With teamwork being at play for both, Angelica knows how to be a team player. 🤜🏼🤛🏼