Heather Pannetti, CMT is a dedicated massage therapist, reiki master, makeup artist, and mental health advocate with a diverse background and a deep passion for enhancing overall well-being. She is in her final year of her 4-year studies in a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine & Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree programs. She began her journey in therapeutic massage therapy in 2016, after earning her license from the Ohio Medical Board. She specializes in neuromuscular techniques such as Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, and Craniosacral Therapy, Heather has made a significant impact on her clients’ lives, improving pain management and range of motion through her expert care.
Heather’s professional experience includes working with private clients to achieve dramatic improvements in quality of life, she also worked for the Cleveland Clinic as their lead Chiropractic Doctor’s part-time assistant prior to her move to San Diego. Her expertise also extends to sports massage, where she has worked with athletes and musicians backstage at events. She has a strong background in prenatal and postpartum care. Her ongoing commitment to education includes specialized training in Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Lomi Lomi, and Canine Massage Therapy.
Heather’s commitment to holistic well-being is complemented by her passion for mental health. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stark State College, which has provided her with a solid foundation in understanding the mind-body connection and the importance of mental health in overall wellness. This background enhances her approach to integrating mental health awareness into her practices.
Heather’s journey in holistic practices extends to Reiki and guided meditation. She began meditating in 2012, discovering relief from physical ailments through intentional breathing and mental quietude. Her Reiki training commenced in 2014 under the Usui Reiki systems, and she completed her Reiki Master Teacher Training in Ohio. Heather has taught multiple Reiki courses, and lead numerous guided Reiki meditations at various workshops.
She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, reflecting her dedication to a comprehensive approach to holistic health. At the college Heather has taken specialized courses to advance her treatment approaches in orthopedic styles of acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, and the art of Chinese Medicine Face Reading which is a psychology branch in Chinese Medicine. She is currently entering in her senior internships at Pacific College of Health and Science treating patients.
Before relocating to San Diego, Heather’s career also encompassed a successful role in the makeup industry. Growing up alongside her mother, a respected makeup artist, Heather began assisting on set and at weddings from a young age. Her talent led her to work as a freelance makeup artist for Christian Dior at 19 years old, and is still freelancing with them today. She has since worked as a lead makeup artist for various clients for weddings, commercial advertising, editorial photoshoots, and live stage performances. Her meticulous attention to detail and love for anatomical artistry ensures high-quality results in both film and photography.
Through her extensive experience and ongoing commitment to both mental and physical health, Heather continues to inspire and uplift her clients, helping them achieve a balanced, pain-free life while embracing their alignment into themselves with a deeper sense of authenticity and compassion.
About Heather Pannetti, CMT
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family has significantly shaped who I am today. My mother, a remarkable makeup artist, allowed me to assist her on set and at weddings starting in my teenage years. She has been an inspiring role model of a self-made woman in today’s world. Her dedication and hard work provided for me and my two sisters, with whom I share a close bond. My maternal grandmother was a model, even featured for Christian Dior in her career, and ran her own modeling agency, further influencing my understanding of ambition and success. My father, an electrician, introduced me to holistic wellness through his passion for massages and chiropractic care. I’m fortunate to have a large family with many cousins, and these deep familial connections have instilled in me strong family values. I grew up on a farm surrounded by horses, dogs, cats, and goats, which deeply influenced my compassionate nature. I had the privilege of delivering three litters of puppies and assisting in training many of those dogs during my early teenage years. These experiences contributed to my development into a responsible and hardworking individual.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently, I work as a self-employed massage therapist, offering sessions at Beauty Point By Point and providing mobile bodywork services privately. I have been a massage therapist for nearly nine years, specializing in neuromuscular techniques, craniosacral therapy, and even offer canine massage therapy. Over this time, I have completed more than 150 CEU hours to deepen my expertise. Before moving to San Diego, I managed my own practice, while working part-time as an assistant to the lead chiropractor at the Cleveland Clinic. I am in my fourth and final year of doctoral studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbalism, and I am completing my senior internships as a Doctoral Candidate. My goal is to continue my education to become the best holistic doctor I can be, helping patients with chronic pain, mental-emotional disorders, and cosmetic acupuncture. In addition to my work in bodywork, I have been a makeup artist throughout my adult life, working on commercial advertisements, editorial shoots, weddings, and stage performances in Ohio prior to moving here. I am employed here in San Diego as a freelance makeup artist for Christian Dior and have held a freelance position with them since 2012. I am passionate about helping people enhance their natural beauty. My aim is to integrate these diverse skills to support patients, and clients in aligning their inner and outer selves for a more complete manifestation of their potential.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
You possess unique talents and characteristics, and the path to a more aligned life is to listen to your inner guidance. Ask yourself “What truly ignites your passion and excites your soul?”. By doing so, you can live a happy and abundant life. Remember, this life is our creation; how we choose to spend our time and where we focus our energy will shape the outcome of that creation.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years, I envision myself working full-time, having honed my expertise in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. My focus will be on patient care, specializing in mental health, chronic pain, cosmetic acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine face reading. I also hold a background undergraduate degree in psychology, so I hope to further enhance that in my care with patients.
Heather Pannetti, CMT & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
There are so many, this is a hard list to narrow down. I love Lumi Downtown. In La Jolla, the Living Room, and Java Earth are two of my favorite coffee shops. There are so many great restaurants here in the community, to name a few feels limiting.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
3 years
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Farmers markets are my favorite, I often rotate to visit the ones in Hilcrest, Civita Park, and La Jolla. I relish the opportunity to visit them almost every day of the week. Every Sunday, either my colleague Melanie or I set up a booth at the La Jolla Farmers market where we offer therapeutic bodywork and educate the community about the health benefits of massage therapy, ear seeds, and acupuncture. We set up our booth representing Beauty Point By Point, a woman owned small business that focuses on offering exceptional holistic health care has been a part of the at the La Jolla community and farmers market for 23 years, which is owned by Sara Sas LAc. It is so fun to show up each week as part of a team that focuses on bringing wellness to the community at the La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market. Each week, I become increasingly grateful for the chance to connect with the local farmers and businesses that contribute to making San Diego feel like home.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I consider myself a humanitarian, and my favorite thing about this community is the natural state of diversity and inclusion that comes when you have so many people from so many different walks of life in one area. I appreciate the laid-back, go-with-the-flow attitude that many here embody. Coming from the Midwest, where kindness is a hallmark, I find that San Diego offers a similar warmth, combined with a relaxed, holistic understanding about life; and a spark of ambition that resonates deeply with me.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
This might have felt like the hardest question of me to answer. In my many years of practice I have had numerous opportunities to work backstage for celebrities and meet very talented individuals. With that experience, it has been easy to see that people at their core no matter how established are still human with their own aches, and tension. I would love the opportunity to have lunch with Emma Watson, I truly respect her stance to use her platform as a voice for the voiceless. She is an impressive actress as well. I grew up watching her grow in her role as Hermione, which is a remarkable model for educated and ambitious young women.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love anything educational; I watch a lot on Gaia. My latest favorite was a show called Electric Universe. I love anything that can expand my awareness and concepts of thinking outside the box. I am also a very big Outlander fan, I love time-period pieces especially with that show’s highlights of the female doctoral lead.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
When I was as young as two years old, my mom placed me on our horse, sparking my lifelong passion as an equestrian. Growing up on a farm and riding horses, I developed a deep understanding of non-verbal communication and empathy. While I did ride competitively as a child, I shifted to more recreational equestrian activities during my teenage and adult years.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Mother, Dresden Buras, she is the greatest supporter of my many dreams and passions. I watched her grow her career from the ground up, that hard work and creativity is exactly why I grew up supported to know I can excel with whatever passions my heart has called me to. I am grateful to call her one of my best friends, and my first mentor who I humbly still call on when I need to phone a friend. My Aunt Dana also is a 10 out of 10, she was the first person in my family to complete a master’s degree, we held the same birthday, only 40 years a part, and I have always seen her as a second mother and an inspiration to reach beyond the sky as the limit does not have to exist.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am lucky to say many people on my journey have inspired me to be better. My sisters, who have witnessed every version of me, and supported my dreams as they’ve evolved. To all my massage therapy and acupuncture colleagues, and professors who light up at the spark of exchanging ideas, I am humbly grateful. A special inspiration has come from each of my regular clients who have shown up each week fighting battles of chronic pain or emotional hurdles to take their power back by holding space for their body. There are many stories for which I have seen true empowerment and transformation, which inspire me to be better, to show up for them to receive the best possible care. Finally, my partner Roshan who has walked beside me as I have chased my many passions. He is always supportive of my ever expanding vision to help more people and animals.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Acupuncturist Without Borders provides education on trauma-informed care and offers crisis ear acupuncture and ear seeds in areas of need. I had the opportunity to volunteer with this organization and complete their training “Healing Community Trauma”. Additionally, I have volunteered with Del Mar Dog Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and finding fosters to train and acclimate them to home life. Fostering for them was a humbling and emotional experience, and I highly recommend it to others.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t dim your own light, let yourself shine.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Mission Valley
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I appreciate its proximity to both the beach and the highway, which makes it convenient for all my hobbies and the various routes I take for work.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Friday enjoying a nice relaxing dinner at a local restaurant or a homemade meal, maybe go to a concert or a theatre performance. Saturdays I would love to start my day paddleboarding in Mission Bay, followed by brunch at a local restaurant. After that, I head out for an afternoon hike, then dine at Lumi’s or another local rooftop restaurant before ending my day with stargazing. On Sundays, I rise early to offer massage therapy at La Jolla’s farmers market which I absolutely love the opportunity to connect with so many local faces and vendors. Once the market wraps up, I would like to head to the beach for bodyboarding and then unwind with sunshine laying out reading a good book.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe, honest, roots.
