About us: Maria Cook LMT, LAc, EAMP (206) 842-7706 graduated from a 4 year program in 5 Element Acupuncture at Wu Hsing Tao School in Seattle in 2005.  She is licensed by the state of WA and nationally certified by the National Council of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as a Diplomate in Acupuncture. She has a private practice on Bainbridge Island, where she has offering alternative medicine since 1992.

Ongoing study of acupuncture, 5 Element, Kiiko Matsumoto Japanese style, and Traditional Chinese Medicine has been a passion, and her work has been informed by leading practitioners of the medicine so that she is qualified to treat a range of conditions.  Her teachers include: Thea Elijah, Dirk Hein, Keiko Matsumoto, Suzanne Robidoux, Jeffery Yuen, Cindy Miclieu, Jeremy Ross, Dr. Tan, Andrew Ellis, and Kathy Abascol, among others.

Maria completed a two year program in Chinese Herbal Medicine with the Jade Institute in Seattle.  She has continued her herbal studies through the Jade Institute and completed advanced study in alternative approaches to fertility.  She studied advanced techniques in acupuncture and Chinese herbs in Taiwan.  She traveled to China for an intensive program in Scalp Acupuncture for neurological complaints including pain, tremors, anxiety, depression, speech, vision, and hearing problems, etc; Moxabustion techniques for nourishment, the Balance Method, and the Cultivation of Health.  She undertook an ortho-acupuncture summer intensive program at Bastyr University.  Her study with Dr Tan has resulted in additional tools for the alleviation of pain.  She regularly goes to Portland for study in Keiko Matsumoto style and is engaged in ongoing study with Thea Elijah in Seattle.

She has dealt successfully with a wide range of conditions, both chronic and acute.  Her philosophy is to treat holistically, considering life style choices and stress management techniques, and to develop a treatment plan that works for each individual.  Clients love that she allows up to a full hour for treatment and can offer a range of modalities including moxabustion, gua sha, massage techniques, and the use of essential oils.  She is a skilled listener and can assist a clients journey to wellness on many levels.

Maria has a general family practice and treats a range of ages and conditions including autoimmune disorders and the treatment of pain.   She is especially drawn to work with women’s health, including fertility; anxiety, depression and insomnia; trauma; addiction; and concerns exacerbated by stress.

She has studied many healing modalities including educational kinesiology, Bach Flower Remedies, energy medicine, deep tissue therapy,  reiki, nutrition, and traditional medicine as practiced in indigenous Oaxaca.

She has completed advanced training in Compassionate Listening and studied Nonviolent Communication.  A meditation practice and self awareness techniques are part of her routine, and she is an informed guide for lifestyle choices.

Maria is committed to helping people feel better, both physically and emotionally.  Her passion is to support people on their spiritual path and she uses her knowledge of the body and its energetic pathways to assist on a deep and powerful level.  She works with people of all ages and all stages of health.  She loves 5 Element Acupuncture with its remarkable ability to heal both the body and the mind.

She combines her knowledge and gifts in her offering of Journeys for Deep Healing.  These trips are potent and powerful and are open to the public.  Read more here.

In addition to her career in the healing arts, Maria holds a Captain’s license for sailing boats up to 100 tons from the US Coast Guard.  She ran her own charter business for several years in the Caribbean and has sailed all over the east coast and down to the islands.  She has taught seamanship for Outward Bound and volunteered on an educational schooner here in Puget Sound.  She is an avid kayaker and loves to explore out of the way places in the NW.  She has paddled and camped throughout British Columbia.  She has had a yoga practice for most of her life- except for when she was living on boats!  She has volunteered for Acupuncturists Without Borders, and also for her cooperatively owned community. Partner dancing is another passion and if she is not in the office or does not return your call promptly, she just might be out waltzing with bears.

For massage treatments, contact Jennifer Horner ‭(206) 795-3267‬, who is in the office on Saturdays and Thursdays or Ann Gorman (206) 217-5504 who is available by appointment.