Global Thought Leader on Women’s Health
Dr. Nikki Cohen is a physical therapist with a difference – her unique blend of traditional Physical Therapy, along with Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation, not only heals the body, but also creates a healthy balance between the body and the mind.
Based in San Diego, California, Nikki is the Founder of The Organic PT, which provides empowerment through healing. It addresses issues surrounding childbirth, chronic dysfunctions, digestive issues and women’s health; and provides modern, holistic health resources and patient care for women, blending alternative approaches with traditional therapies.
“I created The Organic PT because I saw something missing in healthcare, especially in women’s care. Women were often neglected and written off by doctors as being ‘crazy’ or being told their symptoms were ‘all in their head’. Now, it’s true that stress can play a huge role in the development of disease and dysfunction; however, when women are offered time and space to be heard and validated combined with applying therapeutic modalities, the results are often extraordinary. Listening to my patients’ words and ‘listening’ to their bodies offers insight into what their body is struggling with so I can provide what they need to heal.”
Nikki’s passion was originally driven by her own healthcare journey. From the time she was a child, she’s dealt with severe migraines and several autoimmune diseases. Healthcare offered her medication or surgery, neither of which provided the resources or answers she was seeking. Through studying physical therapy, spirituality, personal development, anatomy, and physiology, she began to see a real connection between the mind and the body.
“I saw how my physical ailments often stemmed from my thoughts and suppressed emotions and how my body was responding to the stress it was experiencing. I knew I could provide healing in a way I never received, and that’s what had me start my business and what keeps me going today.”
Nikki completed her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from California State University, Northridge, 2002, and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Azusa Pacific University, 2005. After a decade of working as a physical therapist with leading organisations, Nikki founded The Organic PT in September 2017.
However turning entrepreneur came with its own set of challenges. “I’ve faced many challenges along my business journey. Since I provide a unique blend of traditional Physical Therapy, along with Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation, modalities not well-known in healthcare, I had to trust that I would be successful in being ‘different’. I was passionate about providing a safe, compassionate environment that offered women true healing, and I started anyway. I don’t believe in luck; luck is a passive journey that offers no connection to purpose. I believe we are guided by a force bigger than us and when you work hard and are passionate about achieving your vision, life will provide you with the connections and opportunities you need. Timing is very important; knowing when to stop, slow down, or pivot can make all the difference.”
Eventually, Nikki’s dedication and expertise turned the tide in her favour. People from across the world started approaching her and she became a sought after global thought leader on women’s wellness. She has also authored various articles and books such as ‘Woman To Woman: Little Notes Of Inspiration’ and the ebook ‘The Truth About Kegels’.
Today, Nikki offers 1:1 in-person services in an outdoor natural setting which is wonderfully relaxing and healing in and of itself. In addition, she offers 2 online courses, which are very popular across the globe – The first is Bladder Essentials, which provides information most women don’t know about how to manage bladder control issues; and the second is Postpartum Essentials, which teaches women how to take care of their body after giving birth so they can prevent many of the common postpartum issues like bladder leakage, prolapse, and pelvic pain.
“My inspiration for creating my business came from studying Visceral Manipulation. This form of manual therapy completely altered my view of the human body and how truly connected everything is. When I experienced changes being made in the organs and saw how these very subtle shifts were changing the person’s complaints, I was hooked. I began to see how your ‘inner world’ is directly connected to your ‘outer world’ — what we experience externally in life is connected to how our ‘inner world’ functions, including organs, blood flow, the nervous system, as well as thoughts and beliefs. Everything plays a role. Healing can come in many forms. Bodywork combined with the courage to explore your thoughts and beliefs and a change of perceptions can offer a new level of health and wellness.”
Connecting with others allowed Nikki to expand, reach more people, and broaden her perspective of what health, wellness and happiness look like. And therein lies success. “Professionally, I’ve created a successful business by following my passion and offering a style of Physical Therapy that is ‘different’. Personally, I’ve achieved a state of health and wellness, free from chronic illness, with a combination of medication, bodywork, and personal development all of which I continue regularly to maintain wellness. It’s not about one thing, but a beautiful combination of modalities to address the multi-faceted aspects of being human. But my biggest accomplishment is making a difference for people who didn’t think they’d ever get better. The messages of thanks and gratitude that I receive are what I’m most proud of, and are what keep me inspired to continue my journey of personal health and wellness as well as furthering my education to continue to provide the best care.”
A paragon of holistic well-being, we can’t let Nikki leave without a message for our readers: “The body is not only a structure that physically moves but is a beautifully dynamic, intelligent entity that can provide you with guidance and information when you learn how to listen to it. Health and wellness are not only about eating healthy foods or exercising. Understanding that your body is a part of you and responds to your thoughts and emotions in primitive ways of survival, can offer a world of healing that was previously unavailable. Many diseases, as in my case, were the result of suppressed emotions that altered the way my body worked. When the body fails in any way, it can be an opportunity to discover something about yourself. You may need more rest, a career change, or a different diet. Your body can be your ally in life if you allow it to be.”