Kristi Stoddard
Board-Certified Seattle Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Confession: I never planned on studying traditional Chinese medicine.
My first visit to an acupuncturist was something of a “when-in-Rome” lark. Why not? I was living in California for the first time, and it was the done thing there.
I wasn’t prepared for how it would make me feel.
Because even when you’re healthy, acupuncture and herbs can enhance your sense of well-being and improve your mood. For me, that meant that my exercise-induced asthma faded away, and I had a ton of energy for activities like hiking and outrigger canoeing.
I’ve been getting an acupuncture treatment every few weeks since, and I can’t imagine my life without it. Acupuncture and herbs have helped me stay at the top of my game as a masters’ athlete, a single parent, and a double business owner.
As a practitioner, my goal is for you to get through life feeling as resilient and energetic as possible.
Whether you’ve explored acupuncture and herbal medicine before or you’re completely new to this kind of treatment—
Whether you’re in good health but wouldn’t mind feeling better, or you’re facing health challenges thanks to one of life’s many transitions—
Using my knowledge, I help you feel at ease in your body, ready to savor what life has to offer.
I believe that…
- Your body can work well without being “perfect.”
- The impossible does sometimes happen. And yes, I have witnessed this first-hand.
- Traditional Chinese medicine is powerful because it treats the person, rather than the condition.
- By creating a space where patients feel listened to and seen, I can give them the best chance at healing.
- You don’t need to be told what you “should” do. For example, I’ll never tell you that “you should relax.”
- Both women and men’s hormones fluctuate as they age. But these transitions can be graceful, and you can recover your vitality at any stage of life.
- All women’s health issues—including menopause, the powerful emotions around trying to conceive, and mental and sexual health—can be discussed openly and treated with respect.
- Your sessions are a respite from your everyday life. This is time you take to care for yourself.
- Everyone needs to express themselves however they choose.
- There are many paths to parenthood and many variations of family and love. I support them all.
Credentials & Licenses
Licensed Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner in Washington since 2003
Licensed acupuncturist in California since 2001
Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine since 2013
How I Got Here
Madison, WI
Where I grew up—and also where I started rowing competitively as a teenager.
Cambridge, MA
Harvard is my alma mater, twice over (BA History, Ed.M.). During all 4 years of undergrad, I spent my afternoons on the Charles River as a member of the rowing team.
Salinas, CA
The site of my first corporate job…and the place where I fell in love with the California lifestyle, from hiking in Big Sur and shopping at farmers’ markets to trying acupuncture.
Santa Cruz, CA
After I ditched the pantyhose and power suits, I enrolled in a master’s program in traditional Chinese medicine at the Five Branches Institute.
Seattle, WA
Where I currently live, raise my children, enjoy an active exercise life, and run my Laurelhurst-based practice.
Kind Words
“Kristi is a wonderful practitioner: an insightful diagnostician, with gentle needling skills and an extensive understanding of Chinese herbs. I have seen her for several years now and I refer my own patients to her as well. Each of us have valued and benefitted from her expertise. I always know when I refer my patients that they will be well cared for, just as I have.”
— Krista H.
“I came to Kristi for help with terrible insomnia. Through her acupuncture and Chinese herbs I was able to get back to healthy sleep! About a year later I returned when I had been trying to conceive. I am now happily pregnant with twins! I am so thankful for her help.”
— Lana
“I had been trying to get pregnant for about 9 months when I first went to see Kristi. Friends had told me that acupuncture worked wonders for fertility and at that point (although I was skeptical having had only one less than optimal experience with acupuncture before) I decided to give it a shot.
Kristi was very open, honest and easy to talk to about where I was with my fertility journey. After 5 months of treatment that included acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine we found out we were pregnant! Every cent is worth it – I feel much better each and every time I see Kristi and I am 100% certain that it made a huge difference in my fertility and continues to make in my overall well-being through pregnancy.
I have to say that I also have had chronic knee pain for years and while that is not what initially went to see Kristi about, the combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs made all the difference and my knees have been pain-free for months now. I can’t recommend Kristi highly enough – she is a dream!”.
— Erin H.