Wendy Ruppenthal, BA, LAc, LMT, is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist.

 

Wendy’s journey to becoming a practitioner began when she developed a passion for nutrition in high school. A few years later, while facing a prolonged illness, she discovered firsthand the healing power of natural medicine. 

 

In 1995, Wendy earned a bachelor’s degree in contemplative psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. It was there that she began studying a variety of disciplines and traditions, including Tibetan medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Ashtanga yoga, macrobiotics and Vipassana meditation. She went on to complete her Western clinical herbal certification at the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and then to earn a master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College. There, she became keenly interested in sports acupuncture and studied under world-renowned sports medicine acupuncturist Whitfield Reaves.

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Wendy moved to Maui in 2005 to attend the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage. The following year, she joined the spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui, and in 2009, helped launch the spa’s acupuncture program. In 2011, she added intuitive medicine to her healing repertoire, and in 2013, completed her sports acupuncture certification and went on to assist Whitfield Reaves with his Maui-based Acupuncture Sports Medicine Apprenticeship Program.

 

Today, with two decades of clinical experience, Wendy uses her mastery of anatomy, physiology and intuitive medicine to address both physical and energetic issues. She has a natural gift for listening to her clients’ bodies and tailoring each treatment to their specific needs, often blending varying bodywork modalities.

 

When she’s not working with athletes, chronic pain sufferers, or anyone seeking balance and relaxation, you might find Wendy surfing with her husband, Dave, or walking her dogs, Izzy and Enzo on Maui’s north shore.