Our Team
CO-FOUNDER/APPLIED KINESIOLOGIST & CHIROPRACTOR
Dr. Kirsten West DC,MS
Dr. Kirsten West grew up in Wilkesboro, NC and found her passion for chiropractic and holistic health from being a patient at very young age. Through this experience and witnessing firsthand the positive changes in her health as well as her families, she decided to pay it forward and pursue a career in Chiropractic so that people can make positive changes in their health journey while solving health challenges naturally.
Kirsten graduated in 2011 from North Carolina State University and went on to attend Logan University outside of St Louis, Missouri. While at Logan, she was chosen by faculty to tutor students in the areas of Biochemistry and Anatomy as well as be a peer-mentor to fellow students in the clinical setting. In April of 2015 she graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree & Masters of Sports Science and Rehabilitation.
Dr. West continues to pursue learning opportunities in functional medicine, pediatrics, and sports science through seminars and other continuing education. When not seeing clients, she enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, floating, kayaking), spending time with her pup Chance and exploring all that the Asheville and surrounding areas have to offer.
LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST/TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER
Pomaikaikealoha Nakoa, L.Ac.
Pomaikaikealoha (Pomai) Nakoa, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element Acupuncture. Inspired by her own experience of healing from chronic illness through acupuncture, she is passionate about helping people address the root causes of illness and restore balance in mind, body, and spirit.
Pomai earned her Master of Science in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as Valedictorian from Alhambra Medical University and completed additional certification in Five Element Acupuncture. She integrates acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle guidance to create personalized treatment plans that support lasting health and resilience.
Her clinical interests include hormone and gynecological health, digestive disorders, chronic pain, orthopedic conditions, and emotional well-being. Pomai is committed to listening deeply, providing thoughtful, individualized care, and partnering with each patient on their path toward healing and long-term wellness.
CO-FOUNDER/MINDFULNESS TEACHER
Emily Horn, CMT-P
Emily Horn is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher via the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She is also authorized to teach meditation, dharma, and long retreats by Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, and InsightLA.
Emily has been called a “power player of the mindfulness movement" by Wired Magazine. Her work is featured in 10% Happier, Boston Children's Hospital's Comfort Ability Project, Buddhist Geeks, and apps such as Brightmind and Buddhify. She's also been mentoring mindfulness teachers in a certification led by Jack Kornfield, Ph.D and Tara Brach Ph.D for over 7 years.
For her, a mindful life is simply learning to dance with all of this human experience: from transcendence to dirty dishes, evolutionary edges to ancient roots, solitary practice to deepening relationships. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her husband, Vincent, and son, Zander.