Deanna Waggy OTR, MSA, CZB

About Me

I am passionate about whole-being health. I have a private wellness practice in South Bend, Indiana, by referral only. I empower people who experience personal health issues, pain, anxiety, and stress. By focusing on all dimensions of well-being, we feel better and perform our daily activities with greater ease.

I am a visionary, a problem-solver and a "think outside the box" creative person; I am curious, a lifelong learner and an entrepreneur. I am a Holistic Occupational Therapist, Spiritual Companion and a faculty member for Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International) communities. I also enjoy being a retreat facilitator, consultant, teacher and mentor. I share my passion for whole being health though public speaking and promoting the use of Zero Balancing and Acupressure within Occupational Therapy and other holistic health professions. I am currently involved in multiple research and writing projects.

My Skills

When working with clients, I integrate my intuition with 40+ years experience as an Occupational Therapist, spiritual director and multiple certifications in Zero Balancing (ZB), Clinical Acupressure (CA), Process Acupressure (PA) and Advanced Insight Acupressure. I have experience working in various settings including both large hospital systems, extended care facilities, outpatient clinics and a small rural hospital settings where I worked with infants through adults. I have experience in rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, hand therapy, home health, mastectomy/breast reconstruction/ scar management, sensory regulation, infant latching issues, head trauma, migraines, vagus nerve decompression and Five Element acupressure theory. I have training in Avazzia micro-current, Red/Infrared Low Level Light Therapy, ASTM/Graston/Gua Sha tools and various manual therapy techniques.

I teach Zero Balancing I & II for Zero Balancing Health Association. I also teach Introduction to Acupressure, Clinical Acupressure 1, Process Acupressure 1a, Seva Stress Release Parts 1 & 2, Good Points Self Care Series and Acupressure for Anyone Series for Insight Acupressure. I also have several self-paced online classes I developed including classes on breathwork, migraines and vagus nerve.

I consult with holistic practitioners for clinical skills development and professional growth, including Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure students.

Articles & Books Written

Spiritual Health and Wellbeing: Children and Youth. (2024). Humbert, T., Vadnais, E., & Waggy, D. In Perspectives for Community Practice: Promoting Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life. M. Pizzi & M. Amir (Eds.), SLACK Inc.

Acupressure Modallity Effectiveness: Research Results for Pain and Anxiety Waggy, D., Mozer, C. & Zurwaski, M. (2023). Journal of Transformative Touch. Poster

Analysis of Zero Balancing Case Studies through an Occupational Therapy Lens. Waggy. (2022). Journal of Transformative Touch.

Zero Balancing and Occupational Therapy: Removing Restrictions to Life Flow. Waggy & Waggy. (2021). Journal of Transformative Touch.