Pflugerville, TX Health and Fitness

Windows to the Sky Acupuncture & Bodywork likely wasn’t voted Best Acupuncture Service of 2012 in Austin Fit Magazine solely because it can help treat digestive disorders, headaches, and spinal maladies. That’s what every acupuncture clinic should be able to do. What makes Windows to the Sky different is that its therapist, Matthew Kirsch, is not interested in inserting needles and then leaving the patient alone for 90 minutes. He believes in fully treating a patient, which is why he stays in the room and performs craniosacral therapy while the needles work on realigning energies. This alleviates tension in the fascia surrounding the brain and spine.

Kirsch started performing the complementary treatments during the 1,000-hour clinic portion of his acupuncture training, part of the more than 3,000 hours he spent earning his master’s in Oriental Medicine. He also learned to administer acupressure, a massage style that focuses on the same energy meridians as acupuncture but eschews needles, much like a porcupine who wants to soften his tough-guy image.

Coffee. Cigarette smoke. Rit Dye mislabeled as toothpaste. These culprits and more can leave teeth stained, but those blemishes don't have to be permanent. At Platinum Smiles, technicians wielding light-activated whitening gel restore teeth to their original luster during easy 15-20 minute sessions. In addition to producing quick, noticeable results, the treatments are also built to last; new brightness can linger for anywhere from six months to two years with the help of touch-ups from Platinum Smiles' whitening pens.

After Robert B. Meiser, DDS retired from dentistry, Dr. Jayashree Kyatam took over Austin Primary Dental, renovating the space by adding state-of-the-art equipment, fixtures, and furniture. It's all part of her plan to create a warm, welcoming environment where patients can expect the latest in industry techniques. Dr. Kyatam graduated from the Boston University's Goldman School of Dental Medicine, then visited and fell in love with the city of Austin in 2005. She has since attended numerous continuing-education courses to further hone her skills, becoming an expert in treatments such as the Six Month Smiles braces system and shot- and drill-free Lumineers.

Always considering her patients' comfort and convenience, Dr. Kyatam offers early-morning and lunchtime appointments and is committed to a same-day dental-emergency policy. Her treatment rooms are illuminated by an abundance of natural light and a chairside television, which allows guests to show off their healthy smiles by pretending to answer news anchors' interview questions.

Master of Oriental medicine and certified acupuncturist Dr. Sherry Lee won't perform any treatments on her patients that she wouldn’t give to her own family. In fact, with a combination of acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine, Dr. Lee has been able to all but cure her children of their severe allergies. She honed these skills during her two years traveling through Japan and China, researching diet control and allergy-related problems. Dr. Lee combines these specialty skills with holistic services including cupping, herbal medicine, and gua sha, a technique to circulate stagnant blood by scraping the skin and pushing the body’s percolate button.

When Dr. Gretchen Hoover purchased About Smiles’ dental facility, she was dissatisfied with the look and feel of the practice. So she and her husband remodeled the office themselves, adding amenities such as a gourmet coffee bar, free WiFi, and cable TV in every room.

Dr. Hoover’s vision, drive, and commitment to her patients’ comfort are also apparent in her approach to dentistry. She draws on the most advanced technology available as she performs preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services for adults and children. Intraoral cameras provide a close-up view of teeth, and low-radiation digital x-rays, panoramic x-rays, and computer 3-D scans reveal details invisible to both the naked eye and a dog's sense of smell. Computer-assisted CEREC technology allows Dr. Hoover to create crowns for patients in one visit.

Not content with simply earning his PhD in counseling psychology at Florida State University, Len Worley delved deeper into the world of wellness. He ended up at the Rolf Institute, where he studied the art of fascia-manipulating bodywork. Now able to ease both minds and bodies, the doctor of many trades has practiced for 30 years as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, health coach, 10th-level rogue, spiritual guide, and rolfer.