Satori Acupuncture of Knoxville

"Your body can withstand almost anything; it's your mind that you have to convince."

 

 My Story 

-by Nikki Peoples, 

                           M.A.c, Dipl. Ac., L.A.c                         

     I grew up in San Jose, California in a neighborhood comprised of people from many different cultures. Both of my parents have a love of Asian culture, and, therefore, passed this on to me at an early age. My martial arts training began during childhood, and I’ve continued to study martial arts throughout my life. I've studied Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Budokon Martial Arts and Yoga. I currently practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Vinyasa Flow yoga.

    Upon graduation from high school, I attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served on active duty for 8 years. I had the   opportunity to travel the world, visiting over 20 different countries. I served an additional 8 years on active duty after   entering the reserves and retired after 20 years of Naval service. Throughout that time, I have regularly participated in   sports. I was introduced to rugby in college, and I played for over 10 years, well into my mid-30s. Toward the end of my rugby career, I was introduced to Australian Rules Football, a fast-paced, full contact sport, both equally as fun and as challenging as rugby. I played for the U.S. Women’s National Team for several years until I sustained too many injuries. So, I am intimately familiar with pain and the daily challenges that injuries pose to one’s quality of life. I know what it's like to be sidelined, to try to recover from a debilitating injury and get back to a daily routine as quickly as possible. This understanding of pain is what influenced me to study prevention medicine and what ultimately caused me to become a student of yoga as well as study acupuncture.

As a prior active duty naval officer and participant of sports on the international stage, I have been fortunate to meet people from various walks of life. I've interacted with many people of different ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds as well as those with unique life experiences. These interactions have led me to explore different ways to connect with people. My goal, whenever I meet new people, is to ensure that they are comfortable enough to share their experiences and be proactive in their own healing process.

I continue to practice martial arts and play sports.

Acupuncture is an important compliment to all of these activities, and it brings me great joy to be able to integrate my understanding of the movement arts with my knowledge of the holistic medical arts. I hope that I can offer you the same benefits that I’ve obtained from this knowledge.

I am moved by each person's path toward their own healing, and I believe that the patient should have just as much investment in their healing process as the practicioner. It is a great privilege to act as a facilitator and co-conspirator through this process.

My goal is to help people see themselves not only as they present in illness, but, more importantly, as they envision themselves in perfect health...in full discovery of their true nature, unique in body, mind and spirit.

 

 

     Dr. Nikki Peoples

National and State Certifications

  • Vice President of the Tennessee Acupuncture Council (Oct 2018 - Mar 2021)
  • State of Tennessee Acupuncture License (L.A.c)
    State of Georgia Acupuncture Licenses (L.Ac.)
  • Dipl. Ac. from the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
  • Certificate (2 yr study) -Chinese Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture Education

  • Doctoral Degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine -Five Branches University, 2023
  • Masters of Science Degree in Acupuncture (M.A.c) -The Academy for Five Element Acupuncture, 2008
  • Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine -China Wellness Center (Chinatown, NY), 2008

Other Education

  • U.S. Naval Academy, 1997, Bachelors of Science Degree in English
  • University of San Diego, 2004, Masters of Science Degree in Global Leadership
  • Spalding University, 2014, MFA in Writing - Fiction.

Apprenticeships

Jeffrey Yuen: 2007-2009 -2 yrs study in herbalism.

  • 88th generation Taoist priest of the Jade Purity School and renowned herbalist and acupuncturist: 

Dr. Du Li:  2009-2010 -1 year study 

  • Board member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Georgia.
  • Previously a Professor of Oriental Medicine in Atlanta at Edgewood College.
  • Lead Doctor and Professor at Tian Jin University Teaching Hospital in China and National Clinic Research Center of Acupuncture from 1986-2000; worked extensively in acupuncture, internal medicine, and gynecology