My Story
Hello and welcome to NowAcu! My name is Lori Sibbers, and I am a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DAOM). My goal is to help people like you live a balanced and thriving life. Since 2003, it has been my pleasure to help thousands of people with medical conditions such as chronic illness, stress, and orthopedic injuries.
Would you like to know my story? To begin, let’s travel back in time to my vivacious early 20s. I was in Columbia, Missouri, where I was diligently working toward my undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri. Beyond the walls of lecture halls and libraries, I discovered a different part of myself, a version that was a powerhouse in the swimming pool. I wasn’t merely a student; I was also a competitive swimmer.
Those days were filled with the excitement of vigorous training sessions that would extend up to five hours a day. Each lap I swam, each stroke I took, was a testament to the boundaries I was willing to push for the love of the sport. The burning sensation in my muscles, a gratifying testament to my strength, was my badge of honor. Emerging from the pool each day, I was the picture of health and vitality, a champion in the making.
The next chapter of my life brought me to sunny San Diego, California, where I was now in my late 20s. Having successfully earned my undergraduate degree, I was serving people as a massage therapist, kneading away their stress and tension. Alongside, I was deepening my understanding of health and well-being, pursuing a Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM).
Back then, I would’ve told you I was healthy as a horse. My muscles were toned from working out, and I was full of enough vitality to light up a city. I was so passionate about helping others recover from their health woes and was certain I was doing everything right for my own health too.
Yet, what I didn’t realize was that underneath that seemingly vibrant exterior, I was a ticking time bomb.
One day, after a seemingly regular lecture, my world was turned upside down. My teacher, a respected figure in Chinese Medicine, asked to examine my tongue and take my pulse, which is standard practice in our field. His face took on a serious expression, and he muttered something about a serious long-term disease.
At first, I laughed it off. “A disease? Me? He must be mistaken,” I thought.
Yet, the universe has a funny way of delivering wake-up calls, and mine was about to ring.
The first time it hit, I was in the middle of a deep-tissue massage session. Out of nowhere, my head started spinning, as if I was caught in a relentless whirlwind. The world tilted and swayed, and my legs felt as stable as jelly. A wave of vertigo had struck. I stumbled, barely catching myself on the massage table, my client looking up in confusion and concern.
Then came the fatigue, a debilitating exhaustion that made every day feel like I was wading through wet concrete. I’d wake up after 10 hours of sleep and still feel as if I had run a marathon. I’d fall asleep in lectures, my notes blurring before my eyes, my head lolling onto the desk. The gym, once my sanctuary, became a daunting challenge as I could hardly lift my favorite weights, and even my yoga routine felt like a punishing ordeal.
My body, once a source of pride and energy, had become my prison, and I felt trapped and betrayed.
The initial disbelief at my teacher’s diagnosis gave way to a cold realization. I looked in the mirror and saw it – the pallor of my skin, the dark circles under my eyes, the listless look I wore. The energetic, vibrant woman I used to be was hidden behind this veil of illness. His words echoed in my mind, “You have a serious long-term disease.” And I couldn’t deny it any longer.
I was facing my worst nightmare, my own body turning against me. Every cell in me screamed for respite, but there was no escape from this relentless fatigue and vertigo. I was falling into a dark abyss, and it seemed like there was no way out.
What followed was a draining fatigue that weighed me down, blurring the boundary between my waking and sleeping hours. The body that had been my trusted ally betrayed me. The weights that were once feathers now felt like blocks of lead, and the familiar swimming lanes seemed as vast as the ocean. Every movement was a battle, every day a test of endurance. I felt like a soldier trapped in a war against my own body.
From my peripheral vision, I’d often watch other swimmers cut through the water effortlessly. I remembered the days when I was one of them, brimming with energy and life. But now, I was just a tired spectator, with a condition that mirrored the terrifying symptoms of autoimmune disease.
Every fatigue-ridden day and every symptom-filled moment was a harsh reminder of the stark contrast between my dynamic past and my painful present. But nestled within the layers of despair and exhaustion was a spark, a voice refusing to surrender.
And so, with the tenacity of a competitive swimmer and the resolve of a determined student, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to reclaim my health, my vitality, and the lively existence that has been momentarily veiled by this chronic illness.
I recall one instance when I was so exhausted and dizzy after just climbing a small flight of stairs, I had to sit down right there, half-way up, gasping for air. Onlookers passed by, some with concern, some with sheer confusion. I was embarrassed, feeling small and insignificant. That moment on those stairs was a stark representation of what my life had become – a constant struggle, a continuous uphill battle.
It was then I realized that I had to draw the line. This couldn’t be my reality.
With newfound determination, I vowed to myself, “I will regain my health. I will fight this disease and reclaim the vibrant life that’s been stolen from me.”
I will reclaim my health, my energy, and the vibrant life that has been temporarily overshadowed. This is not a promise born out of blind optimism but a vow rooted in resilience. I will chart my path back to wellness, one step at a time. No matter how challenging this journey may be, I will emerge stronger, for I am not just a patient, I am a fighter. And this fight is one I am determined to win.
The journey back to health was arduous, demanding every ounce of my spirit and tenacity. I delved deeper into the knowledge I was gaining at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, utilizing that wisdom for my own healing. I experimented, explored, and experienced, paving my own path to wellness. And after years of struggle, slowly but surely, I emerged from the other side, not just healed, but transformed.
Today, I stand before you not just as a survivor of chronic illness but as a testament to the power of the human spirit and the resilience that resides within each of us. I stand as a beacon of hope for those who, like me, have been wrestling with chronic illness. The vibrant health I once thought was lost forever is now mine again. My energy, once sapped by illness, now illuminates every facet of my life.
However, my story doesn’t end with my own recovery. The lessons I learned, the blueprint I uncovered, shouldn’t just be confined to my journey. My mission now is to share this master plan to help people like you reclaim their health and vitality.
Click the ‘Book Now’ button above to schedule an appointment with me. Let’s reclaim your health, your energy, and the vibrant life that is waiting for you. Together, we can turn your health around, just like I did with mine. Are you ready to transform your life? Your journey to vibrant health starts now.
CREDENTIALS:
Lori has been studying and practicing Oriental Medicine since 2003.
Certifications:
- Florida Board of Acupuncture Certified – Licensed Acupuncturist (AP)
- California Acupuncture Board Certified – Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac)
- Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M. – NCCAOM)
Education:
- Pacific College of Health and Science – Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) – San Diego
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) – San Diego
- University of Missouri – Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Columbia
Internships:
- University of California San Diego (UCSD) – RIMAC Sports Training Center
- UCSD Downtown Clinic – San Diego
- AcuSport Health Center – San Diego
- Bob Doane at the Acupuncture & Wellness Center – Poulsbo, WA
- Jimmy Chang at Jian Tai Acupuncture Clinic – Los Angeles, CA
Additional Training:
- Distal Needling Acupuncture (DNA®)
- Medical Pulse Diagnosis (MPD™)
- Balance Method Acupuncture
- Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Acupuncture
- Five Element Acupuncture
- Guest Lecturer at Soka University – Aliso Viejo, California