Empathy and Expertise at Every Visit
Our beginning
Needle & Nourish
Emily Ray Brown and Monica McGrow met at Won Institute of Graduate Studies in 2021. As they continued through the program, their knowledge of and passion for traditional Chinese medicine grew, as well as their friendship. Paths that crossed soon began to intertwine, and as the 2 began to dream about increasing acupuncture awareness and education within their communities; providing patient-centered care that needs the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their communities; expanding treatment options that accommodate a variety of schedules and financial backgrounds; collaborating with other health professionals to support patient health; and cultivating a space for their own growth as practitioners, it was only natural they went into business together. Over time, dreams turned into conversations; conversations turned into plans; and plans turned into Needle and Nourish.
Our team
Monica McGrow
Monica embarked on her journey helping others with a master’s degree and certification in both elementary and special education. After 10 years of experience teaching in public schools, she could not help but notice the negative effects of stress on the mind and body among a growing number of close family members, friends, and colleagues. Drawn to acupuncture and its ability to help manage stress and its effects, Monica turned her efforts to helping people in a new capacity by applying to Won Institute of Graduate Studies, where she completed her master’s degree in acupuncture in August 2024 and will be completing her doctorate in acupuncture in August 2025.
During her time there, Monica interned in the Won Institute Student Acupuncture Clinic and Won Institute Tui Na Manual Therapy Clinic, as well as provides community care at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center and Veterans Multi-Service Center, both located in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to her community work in Philadelphia, Monica also pursued her NADA detoxification specialist certification at the New York Harm Reduction Clinic in New York, NY. As a Won Student Ambassador, she also promoted Won Institute to prospective students, patients, and the local community through internal and external events and initiatives.
Monica practices in the Philadelphia suburbs, using acupuncture, electrostimulation, cupping, tuina, moxibustion, and guasha to help reduce stress, relieve pain, and increase energy. While she enjoys treating a wide range of conditions, she is especially interested in musculoskeletal disorders, stress, anxiety, and depression. She is also a member of the Association for Professional Acupuncture in Pennsylvania, Young Acupuncturist Association of America, and Acupuncturists Without Borders.
ACUPUNCTURIST
Emily Ray Brown, L.Ac
Emily A Ray Brown is a licensed acupuncturist, graduating from Won Institute of Graduate Studies in 2024, they have spent over the last year working with the community of Warminster at the Won Student Clinic. She is currently continuing her education for her D.OM and her Chinese Herbal Program certificate.
Before she started her path down traditional Chinese medicine, Emily worked at a family run pharmacy for fourteen years, six of those years she spent as a technician working with insurances and doctors to coordinate patients’ access to their medication. Unable to shake the feeling of discontent when the same patients with the same issues came back year after year, she wondered if there was an alternative way for those in need to find the healing and peace that western medicine was not always able to grant. During the pandemic, Emily was able to take some time to reassess how she wanted to focus her energies and rediscovered her interest in acupuncture, its history, and its medical philosophies.
With a clear path, and a specific desire to help those who suffer from headaches, brain injuries, and those who feel disconnected with their bodies, she set forward to attain her goals. Currently, she looks to add cranio-sacral therapy and neuro-acupuncture to her healthcare toolbox. Working in conjunction with her friend and business partner, Monica McGrow, Emily is excited to be a part of her patients’ medical teams.
Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Wilkes University 2013; master’s degree from Won Institute of Graduate Studies 2024; Member of American Society of Acupuncturists; PDA Certified in Advanced Battlefield Acupuncture; Member of the Won Herb Club; CPR Certified: Doctor of Oriental Medicine from Won Institute 2025.