Wayfinder Wellness is a multidisciplinary alternative and complementary wellness center specializing in acupuncture, massage therapy, tai chi classes, and herbal medicine. Whether this is your first time receiving acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicinals, dietary or movement advice, cupping, or massage, I hope to provide for you a sanctuary of peace and rejuvenation, a place for your mind, body, and spirit to unwind and balance. I extend to you my deepest gratitude for making your health, happiness, and wellbeing a priority. Vibrant health is a gift you can give yourself through respecting the messages of the body, your intuition, and through proper loving care. It is all of our responsibility to honor the body we have been given, not only to enjoy our lives, but to ensure the future generations which live within us will have a good life, too. When we get to the bottom of inner disharmonies and resolve our pain and suffering, our spirits can shine and inspire others. Back in the day, when humans lived in nature, meditation and reflection were an essential part of survival. Calming the mind and body through conscious breathing made humans less noticeable to predators. This calming process also activated an inner-seeing capacity that has been largely lost today. Acupuncture theory was built upon the inner-seeing of these ancients as well as external experiments- using crude stone lances and tools to stimulate points on the body. People became more sophisticated in their application of tools and observations of the body, and from this, modern acupuncture practice was born. A little bit about my background: I earned my massage license in 2008, a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Health, Exercise Science, and Lifestyle Management in 2010 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Institute for Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Honolulu, HI in 2016. Out of all of the classes I have taken over the years, the one that has had the most impact on my life was a tai chi elective. Professionally, I have been employed by a small therapeutic massage business specializing in rehabilitative therapy, by luxury spas, and by myself. I taught Kinesiology and Pathology at the Friday Harbor School of Massage, and I believe that every moment in life is a teaching moment if we choose to see it in that way. Most recently, I completed my doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Health Sciences in July of 2022. A note about the therapies I offer: no one technique is the magic bullet that will make all troubles in life vanish. Acupuncture, herbs, massage, and lifestyle recommendations are only parts of the puzzle. An old Chinese proverb says that, “a poor diet wastes the skill of the doctor.” To maximize the effectiveness of the treatments I offer, I cannot emphasize enough the role of positive mental attitude, adequate rest, healthful food choices, and gentle and mindful exercise. The body has its own intelligence, and when it is given the things it needs to thrive (and when those that hinder it are removed), it naturally brings itself back to harmony and can protect itself from pathogens. Please feel free to share with me any questions or thoughts- I will do my best to address them as thoroughly as possible. The clinic has recently expanded to offer more massage therapy, personal and spiritual coaching and counseling, shamanistic healing sessions, and wilderness therapy. In Gratitude,
Melissa Wickey, EAMP, L.Ac., LMT, MS
February 2025
