For Dr. Shannon Lawrence, DAOM, L.Ac., a passion for wellness has woven its way through every chapter of her life. It was there in her childhood spent close to nature, evident in the discipline and movement of her years as a ballet dancer, and inspired by the generations of women in medicine who came before her. It all ultimately led her to a practice that brought those worlds together: Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Today, she’s a board-certified licensed acupuncturist at Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California, where she practices family medicine with a special passion for women’s health. For nearly a decade, she’s supported women through fertility, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond, while also working across pediatrics, neurology, pain management, and healthy aging.
Her belief in caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—beautifully echoes our philosophy at KNESKO. Both are rooted in the understanding that wellness is interconnected, and that intentional rituals can have a meaningful place in how we care for ourselves.
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Lawrence to Friends of KNESKO and share more about the experiences that shaped her, her approach to women’s wellness, and the wisdom she’s gathered along the way.
KNESKO: Tell us more about your background and how you became an acupuncturist.
Dr. Lawrence: My ancestors were among the first to land on St. Clements Island, in historic St. Mary’s County, Maryland, where the Lawrence’s still today, continue to shape that region. Growing up I was surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, organic farms, roadside fruit and vegetable stands and lots of family. We were taught hard work pays off but my father also taught us the value of using the natural resources of the earth to live on.
I had—and still have—an affinity for the outdoors, being in or on the water, gardening and being surrounded by animals. I also hail from a long line of nurses on both sides of the family, so medicine is in my blood. I embraced meditation, prayer, and manifestation in high school thanks to a wonderful dance instructor Marilyn Beyers. She allowed me to find who I needed to be and taught me patience, restraint, and balance.
Unfortunately, an injury ended my dance career, but this injury helped me embrace Chinese medicine. Fast forward to my daughter being born and I began to see discrepancies in her healthcare versus my healthcare. I was accepted into nursing school in New York City, but a visit to an acupuncturist—my last visit was three years prior—changed all of that. I immediately applied to Chinese medicine university and here we are today, 14 years later.
KNESKO: How did you discover KNESKO?
I actually came across KNESKO on Instagram, and was inspired to try the masks. I have tried the Gold Repair line, and especially love both the Gold Repair Face Mask and the Gold Repair Collagen Eye Mask.
KNESKO: How do you see KNESKO serving as a way for people to find more balance in their life?
Balance in life is key, including hormonal and skin health. What I love about KNESKO is the fusion of science-forward skincare and spirituality. For example, using the KNESKO Luxe Mask and Meditation Kit is an ideal way to unwind at the end of the day. The ingredients soothe your skin and hydrate, illuminate, or tone, while the meditation aspect encourages you to slow your breathing, calm your mind, and focus inward.
There’s so much going on in our day to day lives, and steadying our minds gives us a chance to quiet the noise and focus on ourselves. I love that the masks improve your skin quality while the spiritual aspect offers a total reset. It’s the perfect ritual
“As we move through each decade of life, our skin changes, so it's important we adjust our routine and products accordingly.” — Dr. Shannon Lawrence, Acupuncturist
KNESKO: What’s your philosophy around skincare? Has it evolved over the years?
My approach to skincare has always been about simplicity, starting in my early teens. As we move through each decade of life, our skin changes, so it's important we adjust our routine and products accordingly.
KNESKO: What’s a common skincare mistake you see people make?
The biggest skincare mistake I see people make is not having a nighttime facial skin routine. It's imperative to gently clean skin at night, then hydrate with an alcohol-free toner, a serum, and a nighttime moisturizer.
KNESKO: What's the most rewarding aspect of your career?
For me, it’s establishing patient connections by earning the trust of all family members and building long, meaningful, and lasting relationships.
KNESKO: What advice would you give to someone who's trying to figure out their career path?
Research and go outside of your comfort zone. Ask questions, be curious, and always embrace learning for spiritual and academic growth. Embrace a career you know you can mentally and physically endure, and allow for constructive criticism and open lines of communication with employers, colleagues, and staff.
“There’s so much going on in our day to day lives, and steadying our minds gives us a chance to quiet the noise and focus on ourselves.” — Dr. Shannon Lawrence, Acupuncturist
KNESKO: For someone new to acupuncture, how can it fit into a broader approach to wellness?
If someone is new to acupuncture, it can fit into a broader approach to wellness through integrated care and by combining acupuncture with conventional Western medicine. It also pairs with physical therapy, meditation, yoga, nutritional and functional medicine therapies, and exercise. The overarching goal is to address both your mental and physical health.
KNESKO: Women’s health is a major focus of your practice. What are some simple ways women can improve their overall health day-to-day?
There are so many aspects to consider, but for women’s overall health on a day-to-day basis I would start by looking more holistically at both your mental and physical wellness. Things that can make a big impact are prioritizing stress reduction, getting eight to nine hours of sleep nightly, limiting processed foods as well as alcohol and tobacco, and getting physical activity throughout the week, including weight training.
All these things can affect your physical health, but also directly impact your mental wellbeing and even your long-term immunity. Preventive care is also important, and that includes getting annual physicals, regular OB/GYN appointments, mammograms, labs, colonoscopies and DEXA scans.
KNESKO: How do you personally incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine?
I meditate several times a day, walk 15,000 steps a day, and read. I love books. Books in their raw form of paper make me happy and create a calm space for me.
KNESKO: Could you leave us with your go-to affirmation?
Yes. It’s “I embrace positive change with an open and kind heart.”
Learn more about Dr. Shannon Lawrence. If you’re in the Central California area, consider scheduling a visit to see her at Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica.
