I am Passionate about helping you heal
and Finding balance

A woman with long brown hair and blue eyes smiling outdoors on a sunny day, wearing medical scrubs and a white coat.

I’m a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP), and an advanced student of Genetics and Nutrigenomics. I integrate the wisdom of Chinese Medicine with the precision of Functional Medicine and Genetics to offer deeply personalized, root-cause care.

I believe the body wants to heal—it just needs the right support. When we address the root cause, remove what’s interfering, and nourish what’s missing, your system can begin to shift.

I’m known for my “detective-style” approach—I truly leave no stone unturned. My role is to help you understand what your body is asking for—and to guide you step-by-step back to balance, with clarity, compassion, and a plan that actually makes sense.

Hi, I’m Dr. Irina Patten,
I’m so glad you’re here!

my story

My passion for holistic medicine is deeply personal.

I was born in Ukraine, and I’ve felt drawn to natural healing for as long as I can remember. But if I’m being honest, what truly shaped me as a practitioner isn’t just my education. It’s what I’ve lived through.

I lost my first husband after a long fight with cancer. Later, I faced my own serious health journey, including Lyme disease and mold toxicity. I was very sick for a long time, and I became what I often call a “medical mystery.” I know what it feels like to search for answers, to feel overwhelmed by symptoms, and to be told, “Everything is normal… it’s all in your head,” when deep down you know something isn’t right.

I saw countless practitioners—conventional, alternative, integrative… specialists, healers, acupuncturists—you name it. I tried protocols, diets, herbs, supplements, and medications, yet nothing was truly getting to the root cause. Eventually, I realized I had to step up, do my own research, and pave my own path back to wellness.

Those experiences changed the way I see health forever—and they are the reason I do this work today.

My goal is to always help you feel empowered and supported—with clarity, real answers, and a plan that makes sense for your body. I want you to feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for every step of the way.

I feel truly privileged to do this work, and I would be honored to be part of your healing journey.

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

These are the beliefs that guide my work and the way I care for patients:

01
simple, Strategic Healing

Conditions and symptoms may be complex, but healing doesn’t have to be. I believe in simple, strategic protocols that create real healing opportunities.

02
Mind-Body Connection

The nervous system is everything. Emotional stress and trauma shape mental health, hormones, digestion, immunity, and recovery, so healing must support both the physical body and the emotional self.

03
the Genes first
Approach

Genetics helps remove the guesswork by identifying key pathways—like methylation, inflammation, detox, and neurotransmitters—for more targeted results with ripple effects across sleep, energy, hormones, mood, and long-term health.

04
Returning to the basics

The best medicine is often the most natural medicine: clean food, fresh air, movement, laughter, and sunshine.

05
The importance of prevention

Prevention matters. Your daily habits either create the conditions for health or the conditions for disease.

06
your body knows
how to heal

Your body has the unlimited capacity to improve and heal when we remove what stands in the way.

07
small steps, lasting change

Small steps can create a mountain of change. You don’t need perfection —you need a plan that is consistent, doable, and sustainable.

08
Collective
Effort

All forms of medicine have something valuable to offer. I combine the best of Eastern, Western, and Functional Medicine to support each patient in a personalized and effective way.

09
I walk
The Talk

I am deeply committed to my own health, and before I ask you to do anything, I have tried it myself.

10
Healing Takes
partnership

I can guide you, conduct strategic testing, and create the roadmap—but true healing requires your participation and commitment!

Education | Licensure | Certifications

DACM — Doctorate of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), Houston, TX

MAOM — Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), Houston, TX

Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) — Credentialed through the Texas Medical Board

Board Certified in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCCAHM)

Dr. Patten graduated Summa Cum Laude and as Valedictorian from the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) in Houston, where she earned both a Master’s and Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Since then, she has completed extensive advanced training in Functional Medicine and Functional Genomics so she could continue offering care that is both compassionate and science-informed.

Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP) — Functional Medicine University

Advanced Functional Genomics Training - Nutrition Genome Advanced Nutrigenomic Training | 3X4 Genetics Premier Practitioner Network

Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology — iTEC (International Therapy Examination Council) Certified

American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine logo featuring a yellow eagle, yin-yang symbol, and mountain background all within a maroon and gold circular border.
Four blue and white certificates from NCBAHM for different acupuncture and herbal medicine certifications.
Logo for CFMP Certified in Functional Medicine Practitioner with blue and silver circular design and a yellow ribbon.
Blue circular badge with white text reading '3x4 Blueprint Certified' and a blueprint icon in the center.
iTEC logo featuring a stylized globe with intersecting lines in blue, with the company name 'iTEC' underneath in bold black letters.
A healthcare professional administering an acupuncture treatment to a smiling middle-aged man who is lying face down on a treatment table in a well-lit room with decorative plants and a Buddha statue in the background.

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

From my story and personal journey to my background and beliefs, these elements guide every recommendation I make and every plan I create. They are the foundation of my practice — thoughtful, strategic, and with deep respect for your body’s ability to heal.