Our Story
East Acupuncture Wellness began in 2020 with a simple intention: to create a space where people feel seen, cared for, and supported — not rushed, judged, or treated like a diagnosis.
Founded by wives Ashley Kuper and Marlene Mechanic, the clinic was born in the middle of collective upheaval. Ashley had already been in practice for over a decade, holding space for patients through pain, fertility journeys, and big life transitions. Marlene came from the restaurant and hospitality world, bringing a deep understanding of how to make people feel welcomed, comfortable, and genuinely cared for from the moment they walk in the door.
Together, they imagined a clinic that blended Classical Chinese Medicine, nervous-system-informed care, and real-world practicality with the kind of hospitality usually reserved for your favorite gathering place. What emerged was a queer-owned, women-led practice rooted in compassionate listening, clinical thoughtfulness, and a deep belief that healing happens when people feel connected, understood, and treated like whole humans — not just a set of symptoms.
Meet the Team Behind
East Acupuncture Wellness Boutique
At East Acupuncture Wellness, our accomplished team of acupuncturists brings both skill and compassion to their practice. By blending ancient wisdom with modern insights, our care professionals design personalized, restorative treatments that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
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Dana Harmon
Acupuncturist/Herbalist-Greenville
A native of New Jersey, Dana completed her undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins University and attended Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago and New York City, where she graduated with honors from the Asian Bodywork and the Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine programs. In her time at Pacific College, Dana completed internships at the NYU Langone Center for Women with Disabilities in Manhattan and Lutheran Hospital’s Neurology and Labor/Delivery departments in Brooklyn. In Chicago, she interned at the Chicago Women’s Health Center. She is a licensed acupuncturist in North and South Carolina and nationally board-certified (NCCAOM) in Chinese herbal medicine.
She has over 10 years’ experience as an acupuncturist and has worked in a variety of settings, including integrative pain clinics and an addiction rehabilitation center. Dana enjoys treating musculoskeletal pain, trauma, fertility and women’s health issues and has completed additional training in the treatment of pain using distal points. She also treats digestive disorders, anxiety/depression (including PMS/PMDD) and seasonal allergies. Dana recognizes and values the role of emotional and spiritual life in the healing process, and can help you travel your path to balanced emotional and physical health.
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Dr. Marnie Thamel, L.Ac. (She/Her/Hers)
Acupuncturist/Herbalist-Greenville
As a Doctor of Chinese Medicine with a strong foundation in Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Marnie Thamel brings a whole-person approach to healing that blends classical wisdom with modern, integrative insight. Her background spans emotional health, chronic illness, digestion, pain, women’s health, and cosmetic acupuncture—all supported by a steady, compassionate presence.
Marnie’s training emphasizes both the clinical precision of traditional diagnostic methods and the creation of a safe, restorative environment where patients feel genuinely seen and supported. She weaves together clear assessment, thoughtful treatment planning, and a deeply calming experience that encourages regulation, resilience, and renewed vitality.
Inspired to support people on their healing path, Dr. Marnie helps patients cultivate resilience and move toward greater balance, clarity, and long-term well-being.
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Ashley Kuper
Acupuncturist/Owner - Asheville + Greenville
Ashley Kuper, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Her work focuses on fertility and women’s health, hormonal balance and perimenopause, acute and chronic pain, digestive disorders, psycho emotional health, preventative medicine, cosmetic acupuncture, and long term health maintenance. She is especially passionate about supporting patients through life transitions and helping restore balance in ways that feel sustainable and practical.
Ashley is known for combining strong clinical clarity with warmth, humor, and a deep respect for her patients’ lived experiences. One of her greatest strengths is creating a treatment environment where people feel genuinely cared for and well supported, with attention that extends beyond symptoms to the whole person. Her approach blends precision and intuition, tailoring each treatment to the individual and their evolving needs.
Outside of the clinic, Ashley enjoys spending time with her wife, Marlene, their pup Oliver, and their beloved cat Sonny. These quieter moments of connection help ground her work and continue to shape the way she shows up for her patients and community.
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Ian Hanover
Acupuncturist/Herbalist- Greenville
Ian’s dedication to the healing arts is the result of many years of immersive study, hands-on training, and deep personal commitment. He spent over a decade in India, where he refined his understanding of traditional wellness systems through the disciplined practice and teaching of Kaula Yoga. His training encompassed not only postural work (asana), but also breath regulation (pranayama), yogic philosophy, massage, and Ayurvedic lifestyle principles, all of which continue to inform his therapeutic approach.
He went on to formalize his studies in Ayurvedic detoxification therapies, earning a diploma in Panchakarma from the Athreya School of Ayurveda. Seeking to broaden his manual therapy skills, Ian also pursued intensive training in Traditional Thai Massage, receiving certification from the renowned and Cheat Wan institutions at Wat Po Temple in Thailand.
With a strong foundation in traditional systems of medicine and bodywork, Ian eventually turned his focus to Chinese Medicine, studying Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine at Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine. Now integrating more than ten years of experience in holistic healing with the diagnostic clarity and clinical effectiveness of East Asian medical practices, Ian offers a grounded and skillful approach to supporting patients on their journey toward health and balance.
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Lily Gach
Acupuncturist/Herbalist-Asheville
As a second-generation acupuncturist, Lily Gach was immersed in the principles of Chinese medicine from an early age, learning from their father, who was both an acupuncturist and M.D. This upbringing provided invaluable insights and an authentic understanding of the healing arts.
Through her studies, Lily developed expertise in the Five Meridian System, a specialized approach that offers additional tools beyond Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly effective for addressing complex cases.
Their training not only emphasized clinical skills but also the importance of creating a healing space that fosters transformation and self-awareness for patients. By integrating technical proficiency with compassionate care, Lily provides treatments that not only address physical ailments but also delve into deeper aspects of the human experience, facilitating long-lasting change.
Lily is dedicated to helping patients choose and create a life that promotes greater health, freedom from pain, and comfort in their circumstances.
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Dr. Janette Engelbrecht
Acupuncturist/Herbalist- Asheville + Greenville
Dr. Janette Engelbrecht, LA.c. is proud to offer Chinese Medicine services with an integrative approach. Dr. Engelbrecht has a strong background in Western cancer care and specializes in oncology. In addition to oncology and pain, Janette focuses on digestion, nutrition, stress, sleep, and women’s health & fertility.
Janette is an avid hiker and spends her free time with her pack of senior dogs and her husband enjoying the mountains of Western North Carolina.
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Marlene Mechanic
Facilities Manager/Owner - Asheville + Greenville
Marlene Mechanic was born in Asheville and remains dedicated to causes beyond her service industry pursuits. She is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and works closely with local non-profits and organizations. In her free time, Marlene enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures and cuisines, and painting with oils and encaustics.
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Oliver
Therapy dog in Training :)
What Our Patients Have to Say