ABOUT US

MISSION

Our mission is to help each patient live their best life. We aim to do this through providing safe, comprehensive, accessible, and compassionate care using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other Traditional Chinese modalities.

VISION

We envision families and communities that thrive because each person is able to contribute in the way that they desire. We see you shining!

Katie Tobiska, L.Ac., MTCM, Dipl. OM

Hi! I’m Katie Tobiska, the owner and practitioner at Vivir Acupuncture. I have been on a mission to help people live their best lives for roughly 20 years. In addition to providing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, I have worked in Public Health and social services.

I have a BS in Public Health and a 4-year master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within my schooling and beyond, I have independently sought out internships to learn a special kind of Japanese acupuncture called, Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS) Acupuncture, which is largely the style I use today. This style provides a feedback system with each person’s body to help determine the root of their disharmony. I enjoy discussing this feedback system with each patient to help educate them about their disharmony, help them identify what lifestyle habits, environmental factors or other aspects of their lives may be contributing factors to their symptoms. I have seen significant health transformations using this process!

I treat any and all imbalances, but I am especially drawn toward nervous system disorders, neurological symptoms, blood sugar regulation, acute and chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances. A large part of my practice is patient education. There is nothing more empowering than understanding your body’s patterns and knowing the tools to use to help yourself!

What has shaped my approach:

I have roughly 5 collective years working in Public Health. During this time, I worked extensively in the areas of equity, reproductive health, and maternal child and adolescent health. I designed, managed, and coordinated programs, wrote grants, established and led coalitions, advocated for underserved populations, navigated local politics, and so much more. I found this work deeply satisfying and it set a foundation for me to know that when I recommend a behavior or lifestyle change to a patient, those recommendations are never one size fits all. I understand that each person will need a strategy tailored to their unique lifestyle, physical abilities, financial realities, and so on. My experience in Public Health has made me passionate and dedicated in making healthcare accessible and attainable for all people.

Another contributing factor that opened my eyes to not only the astounding resilience that lives within each person, but also to the barriers to health and wellness was when I worked with teens who were aging out of the foster care system. I worked for 3 years helping these remarkable young people transition into independent living as they aged out of the system. This job deeply impacted me, and my eyes tear up as I write this. Working with this population showed me that not all people have a foundation that allows health and wellbeing to come easy. In this role, I was introduced to how necessary community is in lifting others up to where they can leap into the life they dream of. Because of this experience, I value and appreciate collaboration with your other providers to help you reach your health goals.

These experiences propelled me into what I am today – passionate about helping people reach their health and wellness goals in a way that works for them. I love combining my knowledge in Public Health and TCM to help clients uncover attainable ways for them to achieve health and wellness goals that may have always seemed too overwhelming to even approach. As a practitioner, I have seen many patients that have been given lifestyle change recommendations without any guidance on how to make them fit into the unique design of their lives. I aim to not only help you feel better with each treatment, but to also empower you take the reins of your health and wellness journey!

INSURANCE

We do not bill insurance. However, if you are covered for acupuncture under your health plan, we are happy to provide you with an out-of-network claim that you can submit to your health insurance provider to receive direct reimbursement. If you do not know if you have coverage, call them and ask if you have “out-of-network” acupuncture benefits. Please be aware that your insurer determines what specific services are covered, and which ones are not. Fees reimbursed by your insurance are dependent on your individual coverage.