I was intrigued by natural healing modalities from the young age of 12 years old. Witnessing the pain and poor quality of life of my father suffering from ulcerative Colitis was difficult. After being told his only option left was to remove his colon, he reached out to alternative therapies and natural medicine. With strict compliance to his treatment plan, he had a complete turn around with his health in just one year and he has not suffered from ulcerative colitis since! After witnessing the dramatic changes and his increased quality of life, I knew I would follow the path of natural healing as a career.
Knowing how important diet is to our health and wellbeing, I first obtained my undergrad degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta. I was then accepted into the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. After completing my first year of studies I found myself drawn to Eastern Medicine. No matter the ailment, there is a treatment. For every question, there is an answer. Traditional Chinese Medicine spoke to me in that it focused on the whole person to discover the root cause of the issue.
I graduated from the Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012. After graduation I was accepted into an internship in Beijing China, at the prestigious Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, where I observed and worked with experts in the field. I have always had a passion for learning, and I am continuously studying sports and motor point acupuncture both in person as well as monthly webinars.
I have been practicing here in Kelowna for the past 8 years as a member of good standing of the British Columbia Regulatory Body for Acupuncturists (CTCMA).
Growing up I was always supported and encouraged with my athletic pursuits; getting heavily involved in fastball, volleyball, triathlon and rowing for the U of A. My excitement and passion for an active lifestyle still rings true in my life today. You will most likely find me training at the crossFit gym, snowboarding, paddle boarding, trail running, hiking, or doing any outdoor activity that sounds fun. The nature of my lifestyle and the communities that I am part of have greatly influenced my acupuncture practice that I have today. Although I have always enjoyed treating people for stress, anxiety and sleep issues, (and still do!) I have found my practice to evolve and transform over the years into an MSK (musculoskeletal) based practice. You might be asking, well what does that mean? Your musculoskeletal system includes your bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues. Your skeleton provides a framework for the muscles and other soft tissues. Together, they support your body’s weight, maintain your posture and help you move. That’s what we do, we help you move better, feel better, reduce pain, and increase range of motion. I work with recreational athletes, elite athletes, weekend warriors, and the non-athlete as well! Whether you have acute or chronic pain, looking to increase your range of motion, or looking to increase performance in your sport, we are happy to help you with that.
I lead by example in the community - living an active healthy lifestyle and I encourage my patients to do the same. My goal is to get you back to doing the things you love to do!
My journey to becoming an Acupuncturist all began with KOA’s owner and founder, Nicole Albertson. I first went to her when I was 16 years old seeking relief from seasonal allergies. I was tired of managing symptoms and wanted to start finding a way to make lasting changes. As I began to see results in my own life I started to grow more and more interested in this medicine. This curiosity, along with Nicole’s kind mentorship inspired me to pursue Acupuncture as my own career.
After completing a Business Diploma at Okanagan College, I enrolled into the Acupuncture program at Pacific Rim College in Victoria BC. I graduated from Pacific Rim College with honours in 2023 and have been registered in good standing with the CTCMA since 2024. Now, back in my hometown of Kelowna, BC I am very excited to contribute to the health and vitality of my community.
My training encompasses both Traditional and MSK Acupuncture techniques plus adjunctive therapies such as cupping and gua sha, allowing me to address a wide range of health concerns. The thing I love most about Acupuncture is how it uses the body’s own processes to promote healing, pain relief, relaxation, and overall well-being. It is able to do this by stimulating the nervous system— bringing it into the “rest and digest” parasympathetic mode.
Outside of the clinic, I love all the activities the Okanagan has to offer such as running, hiking, skiing, golfing, and camping. Kelowna is truly a beautiful place to call home.
I look forward to welcoming you to my practice and guiding you towards a life of greater well-being and vitality through the art of acupuncture.
