Courtney Reiman
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Location
Petaluma (in-clinic)
San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma County (in-home)
Education/Certifications
Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Board Certified Acupuncturist (CA State and nationally)
Labor and Postpartum Doula Certification
Yoga Teacher Certification (RYT 200)
BA, Japanese Language and Literature
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional and wellness counseling, cupping, gua sha, yoga therapeutics
Words you live by
There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.
Specific Expertise
hormonal imbalance, period problems, fertility challenges, fertility with IVF, maintaining healthy pregnancies, postpartum recovery, pregnancy loss, perimenopause and menopause.
WHAT DROVE YOU TO THIS WORK?
In my early years and as a first career I was a professional ballerina. I was first introduced to Chinese medicine as an effective modality to help me recover from physical ailments and injuries. Over time, I realized first-hand that Chinese medicine can do so much more - my acupuncturist helped me build tools to decrease stress, improve sleep, strengthen my digestion and later on helped me to conceive. I was so fascinated by how much my body could do in partnership with this medicine, rather than my body being controlled by a pill.
My love for this medicine as a patient eventually inspired me to pursue a career as a doctor of Chinese medicine so that I could share the incredible and endless benefits with others. While pursuing my doctorate, I was able to assist at the Yayasan Bumi Sehat Birthing Clinic in Bali under the incredible midwife Ibu Robin Lim while also getting certified as a doula – which sealed my intention of wanting to position myself with the medicine to help others on their own journeys of growing a family and feeling fully in their own bodies.
What inspires your work?
I am constantly inspired by my patients who consistently show up for themselves, who courageously share their stories of personal challenges, fear of the unknown, loss, and/or grief, and through this process, they inevitably open and evolve into even better human beings.
Photo by @sophidihuij
What inspired you to co-create akin?
Being a women’s health practitioner is so incredibly rewarding. Helping people on their journeys to becoming parents and later, their transition to menopause, is at times full of sharing the immense joy, and just as often, holding space for great frustration and even heartache. To be of service for people in such an intimate and meaningful way is an absolute honor and something I feel called to do. Working with someone 1:1 is so incredibly powerful; to help that person be seen, encourage them to grow, to celebrate all of their triumphs and hold sacred space through all of their obstacles is a privilege. That we are all complicated, beautiful, multi-dimensional beings with individualized needs is an inspiration that drives me to work toward building a more empowering, holistic and supportive system of care.
I met Caroline, co-founder of Akin, originally as her practitioner. We were both so passionate about wanting to provide a better experience for women. We started by writing content and building a robust practitioner community to support people through all of the phases - including trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, and importantly, loss. Education around body literacy and awareness of available, comprehensive care to help people overcome physiological and mental obstacles is something that I know is greatly lacking - but it does exist! Ultimately, I am passionate about elevating a better form of healthcare to one that is engaging, affirming and empowering for women - this, I believe is what is going to change our world for the better.
Self-care ritual?
Morning meditations with my family. Eating and shifting my lifestyle routines seasonally. Finding laughter somewhere, everyday. Surrounding myself with nature on the weekends. Following a strict sleep schedule. Setting aside time to act like a wild animal with my young son Forest on the daily.
What are you watching/reading right now?
I am savoring each episode of Little America. - a series of vignettes that celebrate the inspiring and heartfelt stories of immigrants in America. So brilliant! I’m reading Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo. A must-read.