To shift the paradigm of healthcare from temporary symptom management to true, systemic healing that restores the body's natural balance.
Drawing on over 20 years of clinical expertise, we provide integrative Chinese Medicine that treats the whole family—from conception through all of life’s stages—by addressing the root cause of illness rather than just the disease.
These experiences eventually led me to learning everything I could about this ancient medicine, including returning to school to earn my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM), then traveling to China to immerse myself in Chinese Medicine’s history, culture and practice.
I am Nationally Board Certified as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). I earned my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This four-year program included 1873 actual classroom hours and 1030 clinical hours. The degree includes training in acupuncture, auriculotherapy, moxibustion, cupping, tuina, Chinese herbology, electrical stimulation and nutritional therapy.
I earned three advanced certificates during my additional studies in Beijing, China, in 2004 and 2005. Two of these were awarded by the Beijing International Acupuncture Training Centre for programs in Acupuncture and Moxibustion as well as Chinese Herbal Medicine. A third was awarded by Guang’An Men Hospital for in-hospital training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). My time at the hospital included seeing 70-90 patients per day in a Weight Loss department, as well as studies in the Dermatology and Gynecology Departments.
During my MSOM degree, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by Dr. Xiaolu Luo, DOM. Among his other accomplishments, Dr. Luo is a Specialist in treating Rheumatic Arthritis, and a pioneer in teaching Cosmetic Acupuncture. In addition to practicing TCM, Dr. Luo spent many years at Tianjin University researching Cosmetic Acupuncture procedures and herbal combinations, evaluating their effectiveness. I am greatly indebted to him for his willingness to share his vast knowledge with me.
I continued my extensive training with Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, Virginia Doran and Ping Zhang, and am certified as a Facial Rejuvenation specialist.
I have been a student of Dr. Richard Tan since 2006, and use his Balance Method as a preferred method for treating pain. During this time, I have also been a student of Dr. Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang, a master of Chinese Pulse Diagnosis as well as one of the finest herbalists in the U.S. and Taiwan. I continue my study with Dr. Chang, but have branched out to include additional teachers. In 2011, I began my study an even more intricate pulse diagnosis system (Shen-Hammer) with Lonny Jarrett, Will Morris, and Ross Rosen. The pulse offers a true window into the overall condition of our body-mind-spirit, and I am so grateful to all my teachers for their efforts to impart these minute details of correctly diagnosing and treating each individual person. Other significant teachers and influences include Heiner Fruehauf, Randine Lewis, Debra Betts, Jane Lyttleton, Dagmar Ehling, Ray Rubio, Brandon Horn, Yaron Seidman, Jeffrey Yuen, Daniel Weber (AUS), Greg Lee (Lyme Disease), and Lonny Jarrett. More recent teachers are Dr. Ed Neal, Lillian Bridges, Yvonne Farrell, Laura Ehrlich and Sharon Weizenbaum. I earn approximately 200-250 continuing education credit hours each year.I am a current member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the Acupuncture Association of Colorado, the American Acupuncture Council and am certified as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) by the state of Colorado.
I am also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), as well as the American Pregnancy Association.
I am certified to administer homeopathic (Traumeel, Zeel, Lymphomyosot, MADE, etc.) and vitamin injection shots, including preservative-free B-12, B-6, glutathione, etc. I do not offer HCG injections.
When not working, studying or doing research, I can be found cycling or snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking or trail-running, or otherwise enjoying the spectacular Rocky Mountains I am blessed to call my backyard.
Kellie discovered acupuncture in 1987 after suffering from chronic insomnia and depression. She knows what it feels like to struggle with health issues, and she knows the relief of finding a solution that actually works.
Kellie didn’t just study from books; she immersed herself in the culture of the medicine. She earned advanced certificates in Beijing, China, where she saw 70–90 patients a day in high-volume hospital settings. She brings that depth of clinical experience to every appointment.
Kellie is trained in the sophisticated technique of Pulse Diagnosis (Shen-Hammer system). This offers a true window into the condition of your body-mind-spirit, allowing her to detect subtle imbalances.
With over two decades of practice in the Vail Valley, Kellie is known for tackling "weird" or complex cases. She is dedicated to continuing education, earning 200–250 credit hours annually to ensure she has the best tools to help you recover quickly.
As an avid cyclist, snowboarder, and hiker, Kellie understands the physical demands of living in the Rockies. Whether you are an athlete dealing with disease or a busy parent, she creates plans that fit your life in Eagle County.
True health is balance. We treat emotional aspects (Anxiety, Depression, PTSD) with the same rigor as physical ailments, acknowledging that they are deeply interconnected.
The title of Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is the title awarded to qualified practitioners, by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This license is awarded only to those who complete a Master’s degree program in Oriental Medicine. This graduate degree trains students in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and requires 3-4 years of study, with a minimum of 2500 – 3000 hours of training. Courses include anatomy, physiology, botany, chemistry, Western pathology and Western medical pharmaceuticals, as well as psychology and nutrition.
Graduates then sit for the national board exams given by the National Certification Commision for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which is the only national board examination certifying Acupuncturists in the United States. A minimum of 1800 hours of Chinese Medical education and supervised clinical training plus graduation from an accredited acupuncture school (most require 2500 – 3000 hours training) is required to sit for these exams. Upon passing the NCCAOM exam, an Acupuncturist is awarded the certification required to then apply for state licensure. National certification is renewed every four years, and requires an additional minimum of 60 hours of continuing education.
There are other standards for those who call themselves “Acupuncturists” in Colorado:
I am Nationally Board Certified by the NCCAOM, and am a Licensed Acupuncturist by the state of Colorado.
I am also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
I am dedicated to making your acupuncture treatment as comfortable as it is effective. Most people barely feel a thing when needles are inserted. Some people feel a slight pinch, similar to a mosquito or gnat bite. In most cases, you feel calm and relaxed soon after the needles are inserted. The reason acupuncture needles don’t give the painful sensation you might expect is because they’re very thin in comparison to the hypodermic needles used to give injections. Hypodermic needles are necessarily hollow so that the shot can be injected. They also have a very blunt point (actually a wedge shape) in comparison to an acupuncture needle. Approximately forty acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of one standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle.
There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, which are known as Da Qi (pronounced “dah-chee”). These may include slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation traveling along a meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild. Overall, your treatment should be virtually painless as well as relaxing.
Acupuncture is very safe. The average liability coverage for an acupuncturist is about $900 per year, while primary care physicians pay an average of $12,000 per year. That’s a 13:1 difference. While this may not translate into exactly a 13 to 1 difference in safety, a visit to an acupuncturist is at least as safe as a visit to your doctor, if not safer.
Acupuncture needles are extremely safe, because they are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable. Every practitioner gets extensive training in anatomy so as to avoid inserting a needle in a place that can cause damage. This office only uses sterile, single-use, disposable needles.
Chinese medicine is a medical theory, not a belief system. Acupuncture and herbs work whether you believe in them or not. Of course, having a positive attitude that you will indeed feel better is important to healing in general. Good results are seen in the majority of cases. When all other treatment methods have failed, this indicates a systematic imbalance – exactly what acupuncture and herbs excel at treating.
Acupuncture is widely used on animals, including horses, dogs and cats. Animals respond incredibly well to acupuncture without understanding or believing any of it!
During your first office visit, we spend a lot of time getting a complete picture of your health and lifestyle. I examine the condition of your tongue (is it cracked, coated, excessively pink? purple? etc.), and check your pulse on both wrists (the quality of your pulse gives information about possible imbalances). I’ll also ask questions about your emotional state, and specific symptoms you may have.
This is done because unlike Western medicine, TCM treats the whole person instead of focusing on the symptoms of your condition. The first visit can last from an hour and a half to two hours, and almost always with an acupuncture treatment lasting 30-45 minutes.
Your subsequent visits will be shorter – usually about an hour long. We’ll make a short review of your progress followed by an acupuncture treatment.
Please wear of bring loose, comfy clothes to your acupuncture treatment. Gowns or shorts are provided, if needed, although most treatments are provided while you are wearing your own clothing.
Typically acupuncture treatments are given once a week, for a total of 6-12 treatments. If the condition is acute and painful, treatments may be necessary 2-3 times per week until the condition starts to come under control. The exact duration of treatment depends on the condition, your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture.
After achieving the results they are looking for, many people come in once every 2-3 months for a seasonal “tune-up”.
In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s Qi and Blood flow. Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along 12 major meridians (Qi is the energy; Blood is the substance… they flow together). If Qi gets blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it.
In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural biomolecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The exact mechanisms which brings this about are not completely understood, but the effects are measurable.
A good example of this is the use of acupuncture to induce labor. One of the first things that Oriental medical students learn is that there are a few points that are absolutely forbidden to use with pregnant women. These points cause the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone that naturally induces labor. Studies have shown that using acupuncture to induce labor reduces the active (painful) phase of labor by an average of 3.6 hours.
Some insurers cover acupuncture. You can usually find out by calling the number on your insurance card. I provide every patient with a Superbill that provides all the information you need to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is a standardized form which insurers expect.
Acupuncture is a tax-deductible medical expense. Please speak with an accountant or tax advisor, or refer to IRS Publication 502 for more information.
Rediscover balance, restore your energy, and experience a holistic approach to wellness tailored for your mind, body, and spirit.