Professional Portfolio

Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture, DPT, LAc

Introduction

This portfolio presents my qualifications, clinical expertise, and professional growth across twenty years of practice spanning physical therapy and acupuncture. It is intended to support applications for employment, credentialing, and consulting roles, faculty appointment, and reflect a sustained commitment to patient centered, evidence informed care. My objectives in building this portfolio are to present my qualifications fully, support employment and credentialing applications, demonstrate growth over time, showcase leadership, teaching, and advocacy work, document continuing education and specialty training, and reflect a consistent commitment to evidence based patient care.

Cover Page, Contact + Current Role

Founder and Clinical Director, Pure Balance Holistic Healing, LLC
Founder and Primary Instructor, The Pelvic Acu, LLC
875 Islington St
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
603.387.3347
drkrystal@thepelvicacu.com
thepelvicacu.com
purebalanceacu.com

Professional Philosophy

I approach patient care at the intersection of two licensed disciplines, physical therapy and acupuncture, integrated with advanced training in gyenecology, vulvovaginal conditions, pelvic health, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. My clinical philosophy holds biomedical rigor and traditional medicine as complementary rather than competing frameworks. I believe the acupuncture profession advances only as fast as its evidence base and its credentialing standards, which is why I hold research literacy, safety standards, and continuing education. I hold myself to a high level of professional integrity, which is why I pursued a career in acupuncture, even as a licensed PT.

Licensure + Credentialing

Curriculum Vitae

Individual Licensure
NH Acupuncture License 328
CO Acupuncture License 0002980
NCBAHM Diplomat 848160
NH Physical Therapy License 3158
MA Physical Therapy License 18218

Credentialed PDA Provider
NCBAHM
ABORM
FL
CA

Formal Education

Doctorate of Acupuncture, Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, present (anticipate 2027 completion)
Master of Science in Acupuncture, Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture, 2019
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Husson University, Bangor, Maine, 2009
Associate of Massage Therapy, New Hampshire Community Technical College, 2008
Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Husson College, Bangor, Maine, 2006
Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Husson College, Bangor, Maine, 2006
Undergraduate studies, Sacred Heart University, 2003

View CV

Patients come to me carrying more than a diagnosis. Pelvic health concerns are often tangled up with years of being dismissed, rushed, or told their pain is normal. I set out in 2009 to serve this highly underserved patient population. My approach starts with listening long enough to understand what's actually happening in the patient’s body, then treating them through the lens of biomedicine, TCM/organ systems and spiritual emotional healing. I firmly believe that the interplay of these three pillars affords clients to achieve sustainable results. The very nature of a pelvic health and gynecology specialty is intimate, thus thorough explanation, opportunities for questions and consent are woven through every aspect of a treatment and patient care treatment plan. My treatments vary based on individual client need and evidence based medicine. My intention with every client is to support their healing journey by offering evidence informed care and to work collaboratively with the medical team of each client.

Clinical Experience

Founder and Clinical Director, Pure Balance Holistic Healing, Acupuncturist and PT, October 2007 to present
Access Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, PT, orthopedic manual therapy, 2008 to 2009
Total Body Therapy, Physical Therapist, craniosacral therapy, 2007 to 2009
Mainley Kidz PT, Physical Therapist, school based pediatrics, 2007 to 2008
Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation, PT, pediatrics, TBI, orthopedic manual therapy, 2006 to 2007

Clinical Competencies

Acupuncture, pelvic health, gynecology, vulvovaginal, orthopedic
Acupuncture Injection Therapy (AIT)
Dry needling, including pelvic floor
Facial/cosmetic acupuncture and Microneedling
Oncology informed acupuncture (MSKCC certification)
Advanced Orthopedic and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (UNE certification)
Craniosacral therapy, including SomatoEmotional Release

Patient Care Philosophy

Teaching + Speaking Experience

Founder, The Pelvic Acu, continuing education for licensed acupuncturists, 2024 to present.
- Pelvic Health, Gynecology, Vulvovaginal Disease PDAs online, live and in person
- United States and Canada with further international expansion in 2027
Speaker and PDA Provider, TAAOM, October 2025
Speaker and PDA Provider, FSOMA, August 2025
Clinical Instructor, Eight Branches College of Eastern Medicine, 2024 to present
Monthly Webinar Provider, American Acupuncture Council, 2024 to 2025
Teaching Assistant, Michelle Gellis LAc, Facial Acupuncture, 2024 to present
Teaching Assistant, Upledger Institute, "Unwinding Meridians: Applying Acupuncture Principles to Craniosacral Therapy," 2018 to present
Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association, 2011 to 2018
Teaching Assistant, Kinetacore Dry Needling, 2015 to 2017
Guest Lecturer, University of New Hampshire, Anthropology Department, 2015
Guest Lecturer, PACE Career Academy and Charter School, 2015

Publications + Presentations

Publications

Medicinal Roots Magazine - The Elemental Nature of the Pelvis

Acupuncture Today - Acupuncture for Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction

Acupuncture Today - The Spirit of Water and the Pelvis

Acupuncture Today - The Wood Element and the Pelvis

The Clinician - The Pelvic Bowl: A Window to Source

Acupuncture Today - Fire and the Pelvis

Voyage LA - Meet Krystal Couture

Golden Flower Newsletter - Chronic Pelvic Pain and Acupuncture

The Pelvic Floor Is in the Acupuncture Scope: Part 1 - Acupuncture Today Sept 2026 Publication

The Pelvic Floor Is in the Acupuncture Scope: Part 2 - Acupuncture Today Oct 2026 Publication

Podcast / Radio Interviews

Radio Hofstra University - A League of Our Own Women’s Health Show

Acupuncture Marketing School Podcast - Episode #94 Find Marketing that Aligns with Your Energy

Qiological - 396 Root and Power, Attending to the Pelvis

Yinspired - Ep11: Exploring Pelvic Health

Soma Says: Reclaiming Control: Pelvic Health 101

Click Chat: Heart to Womb: The Emotional and Energetic Connection Between the Heart and Uterus

Inspired - The Spirit of Pelvic Health

Her Voice Shines - Ep 135: Dr. Krystal Couture’s Mission to Give Pelvic Health a Voice

American Acupuncture Council Vlogs

Pelvic Floor Introduction

Pelvic Floor + Menstruation

Pelvic Floor + Fertility

Pelvic Floor + Pregnancy

Pelvic Floor + Postpartum

Pelvic Floor + Menopause

Advocacy + Community

Member, ASA Federal Advocacy Committee
Active member, NHAAMA
- currently working on AIT legislation
Active Member ISSVD
Active member, ISSWSH
Active Member, ISSM
Active Member, Portsmouth NH Chamber Collaborative
Active Participant in legislation locally and nationally
Volunteer, Zebra Crossings, working with children with chronic health conditions, 2013 to 2019
Volunteer coach, Northeast Passage, adaptive sports and recreation for children and adults, 2013 to 2018
Volunteer assistant, Dover Unified Sports, adaptive sports and Special Olympics, 2009 to 2015

Awards + Recognition

Leadership + Professional

Eight Branches College of Eastern Medicine
- Clinical Instructor 2024 to present
Pelvic Acupuncture Mentorship
Professional Acupuncture Conference Speaker
- TAAOM 2025
- FSOMA 2025
- Flow Symposium, planned 2027