About Our Team
Dr. Daron Mathena, DACM, L.Ac.
Neuro-Acupuncturist trained by the Neuro Acupuncture Institute
Dr. Daron Mathena is licensed in California in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. She got her undergraduate at The Sage College of Albany in New York in 2011 and joined the Navy as a Sonar Technician a couple months after. While in the military, she ended up with PTSD and an autoimmune disease that ultimately caused her to leave so she could seek treatment. After being failed by Western Medicine while suffering for 3 years, she fell into Acupuncture while doing volunteer work as a Doula. She was unsure at first, but willing to try anything, and slowly but surely her health took an upturn. Within 6 months of starting acupuncture her panic attacks went from 10 times a day to once every couple months and she was able to move around and work out again and hold her son. The change was so drastic, she had to know how it worked and enrolled in school at the Pacific College of Health and Science where she graduated with a Masters and Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Dr. Daron is a Neuro-Acupuncturist trained by the Neuro Acupuncture Institute. She is also certified in Clean Needle Technique by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and “o” Medicine (CCAoM) and Medical Microneedling.
Personal
A United States Navy Veteran, Dr. Daron Mathena was introduced to Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine after a debilitating autoimmune disease and PTSD, both of which were not helped by Western Medicine. Within six months of starting Acupuncture, she was in remission with both and able to start her calling to serve other people and lead them to their path to wellness. As a long time resident of Ramona, she serves the community and sees patients out of her own clinic by the Post Office on Main Street.
She moved to Ramona in 2016 with her son in search of a quiet and serene place to raise her children. Ramona has been welcoming and warm ever since she laid down roots. She now has three sons and her family is thriving with friends in this close-knit community. Dr. Daron felt the need during the COVID-19 pandemic to start giving back to her community here in Ramona and bringing this incredible medicine to this town at a time when it is needed most.
Professional
Dr. Daron’s clinical experience includes women’s health, pregnancy and postpartum care, fertility, autoimmune diseases, pain relief, neurological disorders, respiratory disorders, colds and flus, mental and emotional health, sprains and strains, pediatrics, skin disorders, geriatrics, digestive disorders, and much more. She created Gathering Blue Acupuncture & Wellness Center with the intention of providing accessible care in Ramona to teach your body to heal itself. Her services include acupuncture, electrical stimulation acupuncture, holistic microneedling, the prescription of herbal medicine, moxibustion, manual therapies of cupping and gua sha, infrared light therapy, PEMF therapy, and placenta encapsulation.
Dr. Daron’s approach to health is heavily integrative and without judgement and she treats the root of your ailment instead of the branch. Each treatment plan is individualized with Traditional Chinese Medicine for each patient based on the long term health objectives they are trying to achieve. You are not a number at Gathering Blue Acupuncture & Wellness Center in Ramona.
Brittany Campbell
Lead Certified Massage Therapist
Brittany is a certified massage therapist and lead myofascial release therapist dedicated to helping clients alleviate pain, restore mobility, and enhance overall well-being through personalized treatment approaches. She graduated from Pacific College of Health & Science in 2023 and has since specialized in assessing and treating fascial restrictions that contribute to chronic pain, tension, and limited range of motion.
Brittany’s journey into myofascial release therapy stems from her deep commitment to holistic healing and her profound understanding of how interconnected the body’s systems are. She has worked with clients facing a range of conditions, from sports injuries and postural imbalances to trauma-related pain, ensuring that each treatment is tailored to the individual’s unique needs. Her approach goes beyond symptom relief, focusing on long-term healing and functional restoration.
Specialties & Approach
Known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, Brittany utilizes gentle, sustained pressure to release fascial restrictions, allowing the body to naturally realign and heal itself. As the lead therapist, she also mentors a team of practitioners, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that prioritizes continuous learning and exceptional client care.
Brittany is passionate about educating clients on self-care and the lasting benefits of myofascial release. She empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve long-term improvements in their health, vitality, and quality of life.
Beyond the Treatment Room
Outside of her practice, Brittany enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, whether hiking, camping, going to the beach, gardening, or exploring farmers markets. She has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2010 and is a proud mother of three amazing children and four wonderful dogs.
Brittany remains dedicated to helping her clients live pain-free, active lives by integrating advanced myofascial release techniques with a holistic, whole-body approach to wellness.
Sarah Kennedy, RN
Labor & Delivery/NICU Nurse | Spinning Babies® Certified Practitioner | N.A.E.T. Practitioner | Future Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine
Sarah Kennedy is a dedicated labor and delivery/NICU nurse with 17 years of experience supporting mothers and newborns during some of the most critical moments of their lives. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Science, inspired by her passion for holistic healing and the profound impact natural medicine has had on her own health journey.
Sarah’s introduction to acupuncture began as a patient, using it to recover from both a back injury and heart surgery. Witnessing firsthand the transformative power of acupuncture and herbal medicine, she became passionate about integrating Eastern and Western medicine to provide well-rounded, patient-centered care.
Specialties & Approach
As a Spinning Babies® Certified Practitioner, Sarah has spent years applying these techniques in a hospital setting to support optimal fetal positioning, easier labors, and smoother deliveries. She is excited to merge this expertise with Eastern medicine principles, offering a comprehensive and holistic approach to maternal and infant health.
In addition to her work in labor and delivery, Sarah is also a certified N.A.E.T. (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) practitioner, using this integrative approach to help patients overcome allergies and sensitivities naturally. By combining acupuncture, energy balancing, and kinesiology, she helps individuals restore balance to the immune system and improve overall well-being.
Her greatest passion lies in helping new mothers and their babies, whether through labor support in the delivery room or guiding them through postpartum recovery. She believes in empowering women with natural, evidence-based solutions that promote healing, balance, and well-being.
Beyond the Treatment Room
Sarah’s love for natural healing extends to her own family. She has three children, all of whom have benefited immensely from acupuncture and herbal medicine, further fueling her dedication to this field. She has been happily married since 2009 and lives on a ranch where she cares for an array of animals, including horses, chickens, a pig, cats, and dogs.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, riding horses, and being outdoors with animals. She is committed to bridging the gap between conventional and holistic medicine, ensuring that more families have access to the incredible benefits of natural healing.
Dr. Angela Firpo, L.Ac., DACM
Acupuncturist & Holistic Health Practitioner
Dr. Angela Firpo’s journey into holistic health began with a deeply personal experience. As a child with severe scoliosis, she underwent surgery that straightened her spine but left her with lasting trauma and chronic pain. It was through massage and acupuncture that she found relief and healing—an experience that inspired her to dedicate her life to integrative medicine.
Dr. Firpo earned her Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology with a Minor in Holistic Health from San Francisco State University, where she developed a deep appreciation for diverse healing traditions and the importance of a patient-centered approach to care. She trained in massage therapy at the San Francisco School of Massage, using her skills to help others as she had been helped. She then deepened her expertise by earning a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science in 2023. Until recently, she worked in the Pacific College of Health and Science library, where she cultivated her love of learning and community engagement.
With over 15 years of experience in bodywork and holistic healing, Dr. Firpo is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and patient-centered healing environment. She takes the time to listen deeply to her patients, meeting them where they are in their wellness journey. In addition to acupuncture, she specializes in fire cupping, gua sha, and prescribing Chinese herbal medicine to support her patients’ healing process. She is highly skilled in bodywork and holistic therapies and thrives in collaborative, integrative healthcare settings. As someone who has lived with chronic pain, she brings both clinical expertise and deep empathy to her practice. Understanding firsthand the transformative power of acupuncture and lifestyle medicine, she is passionate about helping others find relief and balance.
Beyond the Treatment Room
Dr. Firpo currently lives in Escondido with her grown daughter and three cats. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, gardening, cooking, and spending time in nature. She believes that true healing extends beyond the treatment room, embracing a lifestyle of movement, mindfulness, and connection with the natural world.
Dr. Firpo is committed to lifelong learning and continuously refining her skills, ensuring that every patient receives compassionate, individualized care to support their healing journey.
Kacie Howard
Licensed Massage Therapist
Kacie Howard is a licensed massage therapist with a passion for holistic healing and therapeutic bodywork. She received her massage and bodywork education from Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego, where she deepened her expertise in massage therapy and integrative wellness.
Originally from Palm Desert, California, Kacie moved to San Diego in 2011. Her journey into massage therapy began in 2004 while playing Division 1 soccer for the University of California, Riverside. Throughout her athletic career, she struggled with severe lower back pain and found that massage therapy, combined with acupuncture, was the most effective approach for long-term recovery and performance longevity. Experiencing firsthand the transformative effects of bodywork, she naturally began sharing its benefits with her teammates, igniting a lifelong commitment to healing through massage.
Specialties & Approach
Kacie specializes in:
- Sports Massage
- Deep Tissue Therapy
- Swedish Massage
- Myofascial Release
- Prenatal & Postpartum Massage
Her practice is dedicated to supporting a diverse range of clients, including athletes looking to optimize performance and prevent injuries, individuals recovering from physical strain, and women navigating pregnancy and postpartum care. She creates a tranquil and restorative environment where clients can relax, decompress, and reconnect with their mind, body, and spirit.
For Kacie, massage therapy is more than just a treatment—it is an art form that nurtures the body, facilitates healing, and enhances overall well-being. Her goal is to provide a personalized and therapeutic experience that empowers each client on their wellness journey.
A Focus on Athletes
With a background in high-level athletics, Kacie understands the physical demands placed on the body and the importance of proper recovery. She is passionate about working with athletes to improve mobility, enhance performance, and promote long-term health. Her approach is designed to help clients recover from injuries, prevent future strain, and sustain the longevity of their athletic careers.
Beyond the Treatment Room
When she’s not working with clients, Kacie enjoys spending time with her three daughters and animals. She loves hiking, camping, traveling, working out, playing and watching women’s soccer, attending sporting events, and exploring San Diego’s beaches, trails, plant nurseries, and live music scene.
Through her work, Kacie is dedicated to providing expert care in a nurturing environment while raising awareness of the many benefits of massage therapy. She is honored to be a part of her clients’ self-care and healing journeys.
Testimonials
Dr. Daron has a lovely bedside manner. She actually LISTENS and seems to have a knack for what she does, very intuitive. Extremely good value for the money, I am going back twice next week. I also plan to check out her micro needling, I’ve had it before elsewhere with good results so I will give it a go here as well.
Dr. Daron is an extremely skilled and empathetic acupuncturist. I received cupping along with acupuncture for my back pain and nerve pain. I also had a myofascial release with Brittany who is amazing. This was my 4th with her. Kacie, massage therapist, is also very good. She gives the best massages that I have ever had. Everyone at the front desk are very good too!!
Sheri G
Dr. Daron Mathena listens to my changing needs and provides the best care to ensure all my needs and issues are addressed on every visit. I leave my appointment better than when I walked in. Dr. Daron has grounded me when I need it. She also does battle field acupuncture when I really need that extra pain relief throughout my week. I recommended Dr. Daron to anyone who needs help in the natural and safe way to heal from autoimmune, migraines, vertigo, trigger fingers, and chronic pain which is some of the issues that Dr. Daron helps me with.
Michelle R.