About Us

MPTC began in 1989 and has successfully treated thousands of patients with a wide variety of health concerns and conditions. Our practice is grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the oldest form of healing in the world. Due to its wide range of applications and variety of techniques, TCM can treat almost any health condition. Chinese Medicine is a complete form of health care that requires years of training. Each practitioner at MPTC has over eight years of schooling and is fully trained in Western and Chinese’s herbs. We have taught TCM techniques nationally to other practitioners, and have co-authored Laser Therapy, A Clinical Manual. The clinics are independently owned and operated.

MAPTC Practitioners 

Are active in state and national organizations, including past positions with the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Acupuncture Association, and the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM). All are nutritional hair analysis clinicians. Both Linda’s and Jennifer continue to attend and participate in trainings and seminars throughout the country, and work in frequent and close consultation with one another and with other practitioners.

Sophia Santamaria, L.Ac., MATCM (Wausau office)
Licensed Acupuncturist | Integrative Medicine Specialist

Sophia Santamaria brings nearly two decades of experience in the health and wellness field, beginning her journey as a massage therapist in 2008. Inspired by her mother’s work and early exposure to chiropractic and rehabilitative care, Sophia quickly developed a passion for the way manual therapies can shift both mood and muscle. This interest led her to deepen her studies in kinesiology and psychology at Temple University, where she became increasingly drawn to root-cause medicine and holistic approaches beyond the limitations of conventional Western care.

Sophia earned her Master of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yosan University and is licensed by the Wisconsin and California Acupuncture Boards. She is currently completing her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM), with anticipated graduation in 2026. She specializes in helping individuals find lasting relief from pain and imbalance by blending traditional Chinese techniques with modern understanding of the body, lifestyle, and genetics.

Now practicing at the Pain Treatment Center, Sophia offers personalized acupuncture treatments and integrative wellness support to patients seeking natural, effective solutions for chronic pain, injury recovery, and stress-related conditions. Her clinical approach is intuitive yet grounded—combining technical skill with deep listening to guide each patient toward meaningful healing.

Dr. Jennifer Blahnik L.Ac, OMD (Wausau office)

Licensed Acupuncturist | Doctor of Oriental medicine

Dr. Jennifer did pre-med at UWSP, received her degree in Acupuncture from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, IL. She went on for advanced training at the Guanzhou School of Traditional Medicine in China and did her internship at the Guangzhou Province Hospital. She has an OMD doctorate from the Chinese Foundation of Natural Health.

She is also certified as a clinical thermographer, hyperbaric oxygen, ozone, laser, homeopathic treatments, and micro-needling facelift practitioner. She has a two-year advanced herbal training certification from the Institute of Chinese Herbology. She has taken hundreds of courses over the years on acupuncture techniques, muscle testing, nutrition, and holistic medicine. Jennifer teaches national Laser Certification courses and is the author of The Handbook of Laser Therapy. She is the first acupuncturist to be licensed in the state of Wisconsin.

In her free time, she enjoys riding horses and training and competing in dressage, horse camping with friends, gardening, homesteading, reading, learning, and taking her cats for walks. Jennifer is also a license pilot.

Linda Cherf L.Ac. (Beloit office)

license acupuncturist

Linda graduated Cum Laude from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in 2001, going on to complete a Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine. She looks at the structure of the body, its systems and how they interact as a means of aiding her clients.

Linda deems ongoing education a vital part of her practice, to keep abreast of new techniques or systems which may aid clients in regaining their health and wellness. Linda completed cranial sacral therapy course work, and recently completed a Medical Oxygen Therapy Certification course by Frank Shallenberger, MD to enhance the treatment options this holistic practice provides.

Thanks to her ongoing education and knowledge of body structure, Linda developed a technique called Brain Connections Therapy to help with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, stroke, concussions, and brain trauma, which can accompany the acupuncture treatments.

Our Expertise

Because of our expertise, many practitioners use MPTC as a resource for advice and treatment strategies. MPTC has grown to become the most advanced acupuncture and TCM clinic in the state with the largest herbal pharmacy in the Midwest, and our successes have been documented in newspapers and on television and radio across the country.

How do I know if a practitioner is qualified?

The correct practice of acupuncture requires years of extensive training. A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) studies for years at an accredited Oriental Medicine College and is nationally tested and regulated by the State of Wisconsin. As the benefits of acupuncture are more widely recognized, MDs and chiropractors can take a minicourse (ranging from two weeks to one semester) and call themselves “certified”. Before beginning to work with a practitioner, be sure to ask about training. Any health care professional using acupuncture needs to be a graduate of a full acupuncture college and licensed by the state in acupuncture to be safe and effective.

All of our Practitioners are licensed by the State of Wisconsin to practice acupuncture and passed the National Acupuncture Board Exam. They are active in state and national organizations, including past positions with the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Acupuncture Association, and the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM).