PROFESSIONAL BIO
Photo Credit: Briana Jane Photography
Dr. Martina Sturm is one of a handful of practitioners in the US who have earned a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (DACM). She received her doctorate degree from Pacific College of Health and Science’s professional doctorate program which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). During her doctoral work, Dr. Martina specialized in Integrative Oncology.
With her passion for science and natural medicine, Dr. Martina continued her post-doctoral work in functional medicine at Functional Medicine University and at the School of Applied Functional Medicine. She also completed a residency with an MD specialized in both Internal and Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Martina uses an integrative approach: a fusion of Eastern (TCM) and Western-based functional medicine that enable her to determine the root cause of illness via the most comprehensive, time-tested, and advanced diagnostic tools. Both TCM and functional medicine are holistic and understand that the underlying cause of dis-ease stems from various biochemical and nutritional imbalances in the body. These underlying imbalances, not merely the symptoms, are addressed with an individually tailored treatment plan to facilitate the body’s healing process. She may use diet, nutraceuticals, lifestyle changes, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and various other adjunct therapies to support the healing process in the most effective and least invasive way possible.
Dr. Martina is a California and Colorado State Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist where she is designated and worked as a primary care physician under CA state law. She holds her Diplomate in Oriental Medicine certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is certified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) in clean needle technique.
Dr. Martina received her master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Emperor’s College is consistently ranked as one of the top two colleges of oriental medicine in the United States. As part of her clinical training, Martina practiced at an integrative medical setting at Venice Family Clinic, where she specialized in orthopedics, women's health, and internal medicine.
Dr. Martina received her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology with an emphasis on Exercise Science and Nutrition graduating Summa Cum Laude from UCLA. During her pre-medical education, she spent several years working as an Emergency Medical Technician at the ER/Trauma Center at the USC-County Hospital.
Dr. Martina ran a successful personal fitness training business for six years, specializing in therapeutic exercise, sports fitness, core and functional training. She received her Personal Training credentials as a Sports Fitness Specialist from the International Sports Science Association and spent several years at an orthopedic and physical therapy clinic, rehabilitating patients with Parkinson's Disease, various other neurological disorders as well as sports and orthopedic injuries. She is also certified as a yoga teacher and has taken specialized training in the therapeutic yoga and myofascial release techniques.
Dr. Martina’s many years spent competing as a professional cyclist, inspired her to continue working with athletes. In her first year of practice, she traveled as the team doctor with the Chilean National Track Cycling Team to World Cup/Championship events prior to working as the resident acupuncturist on cruise lines where she ran a highly successful, high volume practice introducing tens of thousands of patients to their first acupuncture experience while delivering a life-changing experience of improved health in the short duration of their one or two week vacation.
After 12 years of traveling around the world and working with an international patient base, Dr. Martina established herself in Denver and founded Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine where she combines her many years of experience to support her patients in their healing journey to achieve their greatest potential in health and well-being.
EDUCATION
Photo Credit: Briana Jane Photography
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology/ Exercise Science and Nutrition @ UCLA (Summa cum Laude)
Graduate
Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine @ Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Summa cum Laude)
Doctorate
Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine @ Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (Summa cum Laude)
Post-Graduate
Functional Medicine @ School of Applied Functional Medicine
Board Licenses
Diplomate in Oriental Medicine certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
California State Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist
Colorado State Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist (NCCAOM)
Other Certifications:
Certified Personal Trainer @ International Sports and Science Association (ISSA)
Sports Fitness Specialist @ National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Certified in Injection Therapy
Yoga Teacher (YTT-200 hour)
Yoga Tune-up®
Emergency Medical Technician (2001-2003)
MY PERSONAL STORY
Photo Credit: Briana Jane Photography
Since my early teens I have been fascinated by the human body and its functions and always had a strong sense of believing in the body’s innate healing abilities (if properly supported). I couldn’t put this all into perspective until I was faced with my own serious health issues in my mid- twenties; a time when I felt invincible in my life and athletic endeavors and never could have imagined my body failing me.
In the middle of working with a client, I was taken to the Emergency department with severe abdominal pain. After several tests were performed and I was stabilized, doctors told me that they could not tell what was wrong with me as my labs were all over the map. I was told they would perform exploratory surgery and remove my appendix in the process as a precaution.
When I awoke from surgery, I was told I had acute appendicitis and that they had performed an appendectomy laparoscopically. This is only the beginning of the story…
The next question, from the surgeon was, “What is wrong with your liver?” I answered, “I don’t know, Doc, what is wrong with my liver?” He informed me that my liver was purple, enlarged and there was cirrhosis. Imaging the shock that I faced hearing this when I had spent my life as an athlete and as my own health advocate.
I spent the next months being poked and prodded by the top Liver specialist at UCLA to arrive at the final diagnosis of Wilson’s disease, a genetic disorder of copper metabolism that severely damages the liver among other organs. I had realized that I had had symptoms of liver disease for many years, but my young, invincible athlete mentality chose to ignore these not-so-subtle signs, as I never imagined a serious illness could be the cause of my symptoms, especially at such a ripe young age. I had experienced them for so long and never really could pin-point when they started. Severe IBS symptoms, amenorrhea, endometriosis, spontaneous vomiting, pitting edema, and migraines had become almost “normal” for me.
On a positive note, I reaped the benefits of my healthy lifestyle as statistically, most patients with this diagnosis are completely debilitated and require a liver transplant by their late teens. I knew there was no alternative to chelation therapy and I followed my doctor’s plan to chelate the excess copper from my body.
I was in my second year of medical school for Traditional Chinese Medicine and from what I had learned I knew that I could expedite my body’s healing process through the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine. I had my doctors full support and he always said, “ Back to business as usual.” I did what I needed to do to get myself better, but neither he nor I allowed me to feel victimized by my diagnosis.
I continued training and racing triathlons and after about a year of using this integrative approach, he couldn’t believe how well I was doing, nor could I. My symptoms had improved dramatically and I finally felt good in my own body for the first time. I realized I never knew how bad I really felt until I felt better. That same year, I was awarded a spot on a professional cycling team and a year later I became the teams designated sprinter (the rider with the job to win the race).
As my chelation therapy went on for the next seven years, my doctor was continuously astounded with my progress. At one point, I asked him why he is so surprised. He said that not all patients respond to this therapy, let alone with this kind of progress. He fully acknowledged that it was my lifestyle choices in adhering to a healthy low copper diet, avoidance of any alcohol or other medications and the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine that were enabling my body to heal so well. To this day, my lab tests are completely normal, abdominal ultrasound is clear with no sign of hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of liver and spleen), a common consequence of Wilson’s disease.
Even though I had always believed in the healing potential of the human body, it wasn’t until I was confronted with my own severe health challenges that I was able to fully experience what it means to restore health and see my body thrive beyond the imaginable.