Dr. Nick Aunkst

Dr. Nick Aunkst received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology in 2009 from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he was a full-time Personal Trainer and a Corporate Health and Wellness Adviser in Pittsburgh, PA. It was at this time that Dr. Aunkst found a true passion for health, wellness, and helping others achieve their goals.

Dr. Aunkst graduated Magna Cum Laude from the New York Chiropractic College, with his Doctorate in Chiropractic. In his final year of school, he was hand selected from a group of peers to serve as the Remote Chiropractic Clerk at the Canandaigua Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, in Canandaigua, New York. He went on to then complete a Remote Preceptorship at the Advanced Spine Joint and Wellness Center, located in Medina, Ohio. Here, he spent his time working together with chiropractors, medical doctors, orthopedists, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners. Prior to moving to Utica, NY, Dr. Aunkst was an associate chiropractor in Bristol, Rhode Island where he provided for community members, local sports programs, fitness centers and professional athletes. Dr. Aunkst has worked with athletes from the PGA tour, NFL, MLB, and NPC competitive body builders. These clinical experiences provided Dr. Aunkst with important, patient centered interactions that helped him develop his practice style today.

Dr. Aunkst is also the developer of the “Check Yourself” mobility and function seminar series, previously provided and instructed to sports teams and running groups.

In his free time, Dr. Aunkst enjoys different types of exercise including strength training, CrossFit and running/cycling. He has completed the Pittsburgh marathon, and numerous triathlons in Western Pennsylvania. He also enjoys hiking, fishing, strong coffee and working within his community.

  • Doctorate of Chiropractic, New York Chiropractic College
  • Certified Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine
  • Active Release Technique (ART)
  • Functional and Kinematic Treatment with Rehabilitation (FAKTR)
  • Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC)
  • CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer (CFL1)
  • Titleist Performance Institute Certified Practitioner (TPI)
  • Rocktape Functional Movement Taping (levels I and II)
  • ConnectX Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Dr. Ashley Moody-Aunkst

Dr. Aunkst received her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from Upstate Medical University, and continued on to graduate as a member of Phi Chi Omega Honor Society from the New York Chiropractic College, with her Doctorate in Chiropractic. During her clinical rotations, Dr. Aunkst was hand selected from a group of her peers to serve as the Student Remote Chiropractic Clerk at the Rochester, NY Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. She went on to finish her clinical rotations as the first ever selected Chiropractic extern at the Pittsburgh, PA VA. During that time, she had the opportunity to work within a clinically based multidisciplinary setting involving orthopedists, physical therapists and pain management specialists. Following graduation, Dr. Aunkst accepted a position with a sports based clinic in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Here she worked as a provider helping those with chronic pain as well as athletes that participated in youth track, personal training, yoga and CrossFit. This diverse patient population has helped her develop a treatment style which is evidence based and patient centered. Originally from the Mohawk Valley, returning home to opening Climb Chiropractic Sports Health is working towards her dream of providing the best possible conservative musculoskeletal health care in Central New York.

Dr. Aunkst has been trained in Active Release Technique (ART), ConnecTX instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation (FAKTR), ELDOA level 1, as well as Functional Movement Taping (levels I and II) through Rocktape.

Dr. Aunkst has a passion for working with prenatal and postpartum clients. She finds no greater joy than helping a woman feel empowered throughout their pregnancy journey. She strongly believes that “just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it’s normal” applies to each individual’s pregnancy. She enjoys taking the time to help each client find comfort within their own pregnancy experience. She utilizes her chiropractic skills and exercise rehabilitation knowledge to help create a unique treatment plan for each client. She has continued her education to obtain certifications in DNS, BirthFit as well as Girls Gone Strong which when combined have helped her create exercise and rehabilitation programs with emphasis on technique and a focus on proper training throughout pregnancy as well as entering the postpartum period. She will be obtaining her Webster Technique certification in March 2025.

In her spare time Dr. Aunkst enjoys spending time with her husband Nick and her son. Together as a family they enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, going to the park and long walks. Dr. Aunkst finds time to move her body daily and includes mobility, core stability, conditioning, strength training and yoga into her own routine weekly. “A body in motion, stays in motion.”

  • Doctorate of Chiropractic, New York Chiropractic College
  • Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200 hours)
  • Functional and Kinematic Treatment with Rehabilitation (FAKTR)
  • Rocktape Functional Movement Taping (Levels I and II)
  • ConnectX Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • ELDOA level 1
  • BirthFit Leader
  • Girls Gone Strong Certification
  • Webster Technique expected March 2025