Affordable Acupuncture | Largo, Florida

Image of Melissa owner and acupuncturist smiling in front of a window and a bright green plant.

Bridge Community Acupuncture is owned and operated by Melissa Lahmeyer, AP, LCSW.
Melissa graduated from The Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine
(previously located in Pinellas Park) in 2002. Over the last 20 years, she has practiced acupuncture in several settings, including a private office, massage and wellness spa, gastroenterology medical practice, and St Pete Community Acupuncture. Melissa is a skilled technician who pays special attention to each client's needs. She is open, personable, and down to earth. She takes time to identify root causes of your pain and disease. Melissa understands the importance of a holistic mindbody approach to health and well-being. She believes in working with the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health and disease as well as the physical symptoms. Melissa completed her MSW at USF in May 2017. Melissa is an Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She has experience in individual, couples, and family counseling. She is passionate about helping each person to become a better
communicator with themselves and their loved ones.
Counseling appts are scheduled by text or email.

Image of Jill acupuncturist smiling in front of a dark green bush.

Jill Pahl is an Acupuncture Physician licensed in the state of Florida. She is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a member of Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA). Born and raised in Michigan, she moved to sunny Florida after earning her Bachelor of Arts from Spring Arbor University. The Tampa Bay area has been her home since 2004. She attended and graduated from East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota in 2010 where she earned a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine as well as a Bachelor of Professional Health Studies. Prior to working with Bridge Community Acupuncture, Jill practiced in St Petersburg. A Pinellas county resident, Jill is a volunteer in the community. She has maintained an active role with a local non profit dog rescue. In addition, she is a regular volunteer with Pinellas County Schools including mentoring students. Jill and her husband Jerry have two incredible kids and two dogs. She loves to travel, read and spend time with family.

Melonie Burgess Acupuncture Physician, DOM Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, NCCAOM Diplomate in TCM and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona. Melonie is a Florida Licensed Acupuncture Physician. She has always been interested in medicine and helping people. She was certified as an EMT after college. Her interest in Chinese Medicine came when she visited a close friend who was attending Acupuncture school in New Mexico. She began to understand that there are many ways to heal the body, and too many times Western medicine relies on pharmaceuticals. This led to her pursuit of an education in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She graduated from the East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, Florida, in 2003. Melonie had the opportunity to practice with her close friend, in her own clinic, after graduation. She moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where she lived and practiced for 3 years. She relocated back to Sarasota Florida, where she co-founded Sarasota Community Acupuncture in 2008. After 10 years of practicing, she sold the clinic and went on the road with her son, traveling the US, for a year. She relocated to Palm Harbor, Florida in 2019. Melonie has been a long time practitioner of, and advocate for, community style acupuncture. She strongly believes in the accessibility of acupuncture for everyone. After giving birth to her son at home, with a midwife, she developed a special love for treating pregnancy and birth preparation.

Larissa has had a lifelong passion for natural remedies and herbal medicine, paired with an insatiable curiosity for learning. She is deeply committed to empowering people to take charge of their health, helping them look and feel their best as they navigate their unique wellness journeys. She earned her Master’s in Oriental Medicine and B.S. in Professional Health Sciences from East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to that, she completed her B.A. in Information Systems Management at the University of South Florida. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Larissa enjoys family time, exploring diverse cultures, traveling, hiking, martial arts, and dance.

OUR STORY

Bridge Community Acupuncture, LLC officially opened its doors December 5th 2017 in Suite 2A. The vision of Melissa Lahmeyer., a small community acupuncture clinic, with room for her son, dedication to family life, and a mission to offer healing services for her community. At the end of 2020, after a difficult year of COVID precautions, Jill Pahl was ready to reenter the acupuncture world after several years of her valuable work as a stay-at-home mom. Jill joining Melissa allowed us to expand our hours and add Melissa's therapy sessions. At the end of 2021, Melonie Burgess came to join us. For her to join us we needed a bigger space. Magically, days after talking with her, Unit 5 became available for the first time in the 4 years Melissa had been at Royal Square Plaza.
In February 2022 we opened our expanded clinic with room for community sessions 7 days a week, private treatments, and Melissa's therapy sessions! At the same time, Melissa was building her women's group. Melissa has been dreaming of a space for movement classes, meetings, workshops, and retreats for years. In 2023, Melissa hosted her first Thrive Weekend Retreat. In 2024 she hosted 2 retreats renting space at a yoga studio in Dunedin. In 2025 Thrive retreats will be held at our own studio in unit 6!
In August 2023, unit 6 was for rent. Unfortunately, someone else rented it before
Melissa asked about it. That conversation started the year long process of dreaming that unit 6 would become our next expanded version. Surprisingly, Larissa came and asked about working with us in late July, A week later, the landlord messaged that unit 6 might become ours. 8 weeks later, after the first of 2 hurricanes, we got the keys and started the remodeling journey.
We start 2025 with unit 6 as our Thrive Wellness Studio! Now offering 7 days a week of community acupuncture, private acupuncture sessions, cupping, tuina, herbal consultations, mental health counseling sessions, facial rejuvenation, movement classes, meetings, and workshops.