Doctors of Oriental Medicine

Dr. Hackler began his studies of Kototama Inochi Medicine in 1994, completing a 4,000-hour apprenticeship training program with Dr. Thomas Duckworth, and became licensed as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) in 1999.  He is a third-generation practitioner, teacher, and lineage holder of Kototama Inochi Medicine, founded by Sensei Masahilo Nakazono.

Dr. Hackler has maintained a busy family practice, including pediatric care, for nearly 20 years.  He grew up in Santa Fe and completed his apprenticeship and early years of practice in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  He then relocated to the Midwest, where he spent years practicing and teaching the medicine with his mentor, Dr. Thomas Duckworth, in St. Louis, MO.  In Missouri, he served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Oriental Medicine Association, and was also was appointed by the Governor to be a member of the Oriental Medicine Advisory Committee for the state.  In addition, for 18 years, Dr. Hackler was the Project Director for the Institute of American Oriental Medicine and Life Medicine (IAALM), a 501(c)3, not for profit organization, offering health care to the underserved community of the St. Louis region.  Dr. Hackler has also trained students through extensive apprenticeships who have become successfully licensed as Acupuncturists over the past 18 years.

Presently, Dr. Hackler is completing a specialty doctorate of Oriental Medicine and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, in Austin, TX.  The doctoral work has furthered Dr. Hackler’s knowledge of bio-medicine and assessments, as well as, advanced techniques and practices in Eastern Medicine.  His specialties include working with all types of chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, depression and anxiety, and symptoms and conditions that have arisen due to physical, sexual, and emotional trauma.  Dr. Hackler is also bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Hackler is very happy to be back in his home city of Santa Fe with his wife, JennTara, and his son, Isaiah.

Vasanta Irina Lidanova is a board certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine in NM. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Southwest Oriental Medicine College. Although she treats various health conditions, such as women’s health: hormonal health, PMS, menopause, weight loss and insomnia, Dr Lidanova specializes in Neuro-acupuncture, which is an amalgamation of neurology and neuroanatomy with acupuncture. She was the first to graduate from a three-level training with renowned Chinese Drs Hao from Neuroacupuncture Institute. Neuroacupuncture is an effective way in treating acute and chronic central nervous disorders, such as spinal cord injury, MS, Parkinson’s, TBI (traumatic brain injury), PTSD, pain management, dementia, to name a few. Vasanta also incorporates supportive modalities in her treatment, such as Food as Medicine (nutrition therapy and Ayurvedic medicine), cupping, Oriental bodywork, yoga, herbal therapy, and laser therapy.

Low level laser therapy (FDA-approved) is designed to effectively promote natural healing in muscles and tissues. Low-level lasers stimulate the body’s light-sensitive components to produce an effect similar to photosynthesis in plants — the cells’ mitochondria are stimulated, encouraging the cell to produce more ATP naturally. The red laser, operating at a wavelength of 635nm, has been proven effective in relieving chronic pain such as neck, shoulder, back, to name a few. Also, it reduces inflammation in post-work out in athletes and accelerates tissue regeneration in joint fractures or sprains. LLL therapy has been used effectively for any brain injury, such as TBI (esp. in football players and other sports), stroke, any spinal cord injury and Alzheimer’s. It can also be used preventatively. The violet laser, on the other hand, operates at a lower wavelength of 405nm and is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It treats a variety of conditions, such as acne, Athlete’s foot, allergies, eczema, shingles and others. Together, the red and violet lasers provide unmatched treatment flexibility.