When "Getting By” Is No Longer Enough
In my work as a licensed acupuncturist and integrative medicine provider, many people find me when they are at a turning point - a moment when they realize they can’t keep putting themselves last.
I hear something similar from people, which sounds something like:
“I’ve always put myself last.”
“I’ve been carrying it all on my shoulders for so long.”
“I haven’t had the time or money to prioritize my health.”
“I thought taking care of myself was selfish.”
“I can’t put taking care of myself off any longer.”
I see people who have been caregivers for years with little or no support. People who work full time and are caring for children with chronic health conditions. Single-parent business owners focused on providing for their kids and being a good parent. Women who have been programmed to prioritize their outer appearance over their inner well-being. People who have achieved professional “success”, who appear outwardly capable and composed, yet feel they’ve taken years off their life or compromised their longevity. People who have been told their labs are normal, but know in their bones that something isn’t right.
I often feel resonance with these people. I know, intimately, how this unfolds.
With my youngest child turning 13 (!) on Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of the deep valley I walked in (…was dragged through?) for many years after having children. I gave birth to my three amazing kids within three years and four months - and experienced two overseas moves within this timeframe, as well. Putting others’ needs first didn’t even feel like a choice. And then, when we all began dealing with complex medical conditions (a story far too long for today’s newsletter), the focus narrowed even further. It felt like keeping everyone alive was all that mattered - I was in full survival mode.
But this eventually backfired for me, just as I’ve seen it backfire for many people who end up in my care.
My nervous system was in complete overload - my hair was falling out, I was constantly exhausted, I would wake with jolts of adrenaline throughout the night, and my mental health was rapidly declining. Eventually, I found acupuncture - and I am so very thankful that I did - but after being put off for so long, it was still a process to recover my health.
What ultimately came from that long healing journey was a recovery of my own health, and a deeper understanding of what actually helps - knowledge I’ve since integrated, streamlined, and simplified so I can guide my patients through their healing with more simplicity and ease.
Why Consistency Matters in Healing
I’ve noticed that the people who do best in my care have an understanding that what they’ve been dealing with didn’t develop overnight, and that meaningful change is likely to take time and consistency. They are seeking holistic, life-giving solutions rather than medical bandaids. While conventional medicine can be lifesaving and essential in some contexts, it isn’t designed to address the subtle, chronic patterns that erode vitality over time, or to catch things early on.
When symptoms have been present for months or years, we’re not just addressing a single issue - we’re working with established patterns in the nervous system, immune system, hormonal signaling, and the body’s stress response. Lasting change occurs through repeated inputs that allow the body to reorganize and return to balance.
This is why most patients who see me in person begin with a 12-session series of weekly treatments. Regular acupuncture creates cumulative physiological change, allowing the nervous system, inflammatory response, and pain processing pathways to recalibrate over time.
Clinically, I see people getting excellent results with this process. Sleep deepens. Cycles regulate. Pain softens. Energy stabilizes. Anxiety becomes more manageable or resolves completely. Over time, people often tell me they feel more like themselves again or like a fog has lifted. My work focuses on restoring vitality, resilience, and coherence in the body rather than simply managing symptoms.
An Invitation
Sometimes there comes a point when white-knuckling your way through life stops working. After months or years of holding it all together, you feel something begin to thaw.
This time of year often amplifies that feeling. As we move toward spring, there's a natural opening—a readiness that wasn't there in the depth of winter. Many people feel this energetic pull toward change, toward finally addressing what's been put off.
Reclaiming your health and reconnecting with yourself — recognizing that you matter — can feel unfamiliar and even uncomfortable at first, like learning an entirely new language. But it’s often the beginning of profound, life-long change.
If you recognize yourself in this, I invite you to schedule an initial consultation with me. This is a time for us to talk through what’s been going on for you, explore whether my approach and your needs are a good fit, and decide together about next steps. I work best with individuals who are ready to approach their health proactively, and who value depth, process, and long-term resilience and vitality over quick fixes or bandaids.
If you’re at a place where caring for your health feels important (maybe even overdue) and you’re drawn to thoughtful, holistic care that supports your longevity, I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process.
Warmly,