Deeper awareness allows understanding; with understanding comes the ability to change your perspective, and changing perspective changes everything!

Most stress is self-created and greatly impacts the functioning of the body.

This is why reducing stress is the most important thing you can do for your health!

Nikki uses a variety of tools to help you identify your stressors, learn to stop creating unnecessary stress, and better connect with your internal resources for meeting the unavoidable challenges of life.

When the body perceives a threat it floods the system with hormones and sugars. Digestion and repair slow down or stop and muscles become tense. When threats are short lived and infrequent the body easily regulates. Frequent threats, real or perceived, can chronically imbalanced these vital functions resulting in disease.

Most people think of stress occurs only when something "bad" or overwhelming is happening. In reality a stressor/threat can be anything that interferes with your equilibrium and requires a response to get back to equilibrium. The big stressors are obvious and most of the time we actually recognize and deal with those adequately. Unfortunately, many of us are under constant stress and we don’t even know it!

Unacknowledged stressors like repetitive thoughts, fear, anger, disconnection, worry and grief, as well as exposure to harmful chemicals, poor quality food, excessive sugar and stimulants can rob us of vitality and peace. Our bodies weren’t designed to be in a constant state of stress and acupuncture and lifestyle changes are an effective way to stop these stressors at the source.

Five Element Acupuncture

Five Element Acupuncture is based on the ancient Taoist principle that human beings are an expression of nature. Like all expressions of nature each of us has certain traits, gifts, and limitations. With nature as our guide, we are able to learn about our own elemental nature and how best to support ourselves to create a more fulfilling life.

The Five Element model is an amazing tool for spiritual growth! If you have tried to become more present using meditation or yoga, yet the quest to turn off your mind eludes you, then this is the place for you. Most people try to become present by making an enemy of the mind and trying to avoid “negative” emotions through “positive” thinking. Acupuncture can help you access deep states of present awareness that cannot be lost even in the midst of difficult emotions or negative thoughts.

The Elements

The traits of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, as they are expressed in you, provide the keys to understanding the obstacles that prevent you from reaching higher states of consciousness and health. Once you understand your obstacles you will also understand your unique capacity to flourish and share your gifts with the world.

Each Element has common obstacles which can be transformed into the health and strength of that Element:

Water who is paralyzed by fear transforms into profound wisdom with an unstoppable strength of will.
Wood who is consumed by anger transforms into a visionary with strength to pioneer the new frontier.
Fire who is scattered by disconnection transforms into an authentic self who shares a joyful connection with others.
Earth who is stuck in worry or caretaking transforms into a fully nourished “mother” who can teach us all to nourish ourselves.
Metal who is overwrought with grief transforms into unconditional acceptance and the ability to stay connected to “heaven”.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chronic stress can change the way the body functions. Sometimes nutritional or herbal remedies are needed to help support the body in healing itself. Nikki uses high quality, safe herbs as an invaluable tool in restoring balance to the body.

Herbal formulas have been used for thousands of years to treat almost any condition. They are particularly well suited for digestive issues, hormonal and menopausal issues, as well as stress, anxiety and depression.