Rachel Lopez is a New Jersey Certified Acupuncturist and is certified as a Diplomat in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Rachel is a graduate of the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Montclair, New Jersey.

Rachel also studied Health Counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. Rachel received her certification as a Holistic Health Counselor from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP).

Rachel’s education and experience enables her to treat individuals on many different levels. Treating with Acupuncture helps patients achieve greater physical and emotional relief. The holistic health coaching provides patients the tools needed to effectively change habits and lifestyle. Both approaches promote healing so that patients are left with the possibility of living life to the fullest.

Why I Chose Acupuncture?
In 2001, I had shoulder surgery that left me in more pain after surgery.  After six months of Physical Therapy and additional surgery to “manipulate” my shoulder, I resigned to a life of pain.  Feeling desperate, I turned to a holistic health practitioner who recommended Acupuncture.  I had never even heard of Acupuncture but I was willing to try ANYTHING.  I remember thinking during my first treatment (on the table with needles inserted) that this is where life had brought me.  I almost cried thinking that I was actually in an office having needles inserted into my skin and waiting for an uncertain amount of time for the needles to be removed.  I remember also feeling strangely peaceful despite the needles.  The practitioner was a soft spoken woman whose voice was very soothing and calming.Once the treatment was over – my pain had dissipated greatly.  My cynicism immediately made me think that I should not get TOO excited since the pain would be back the next day.  The following day I woke up very energetic.  I remembered at 2:30 that I had not eaten anything the entire day.  At that point I stopped to take notice that my shoulder pain was non existent.  I could not believe the results.  I felt better than I had felt in a VERY long time.

Needless to say that the journey of healing began with one treatment.  The thoughts that I had on the table “this is where life had brought me” meant more than I imagined at the time.  I decided that since I had been blessed with this healing modality, I wanted to share and help others feel the same.

Why Holistic Health Coaching?
While studying acupuncture I became fascinated by the mind, body and spirit approach to wellness.  I realized a need in my patients that was deeper than just helping with needles.  I found that health is not just about feeling better today.  Health is about knowing how to approach all aspects of your life from a healthy perspective.  In today’s world we have become inundated with information:

Different diet approaches, supplements, handling stress, juggling life and finding a lifelong partner to name a few?
Every book, TV program, Magazine Article and Website promises to be the one that will give you what you need.

The reality is in most cases we know the answers.  We know that a diet of fruits and vegetables is better than one of potato chips and fries.
We know that if we chose to eat better we may not have such a need for supplements.  We recognize that the stress of everyday living is what causes many of our problems (health, emotional, relationships etc).

What we don’t have is a way of implementing the changes needed to live healthier.  Many successful people have coaches to help them along the way to success.  I chose holistic health coaching because of a true desire to help people achieve success in all areas of their lives.