Client Spotlight- Brave Life Acupuncture

Meet Joanne, founder of Brave Life Acupuncture. Joanne is a dedicated and compassionate practitioner with a desire to help others find balance and resilience in their lives. With years of training in traditional Chinese medicine and a heartfelt commitment to whole-person wellness, Joanne brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and intuitive care to every treatment. She exudes warmth and positivity, and I’m excited for you to get a glimpse into her remarkable practice and the care she offers.

Tell us about Brave Life Acupuncture and how this vision was born.

15 years ago I found myself living a life that didn’t feel like mine. I was chained to the corporate ladder, wearing pointy heels that ruined my feet, married to a man I had little in common with, and unable to identify the things that brought me joy. I had tried to create a life based on other people’s priorities and expectations, leaving me depressed, anxious, and desperate for change.

With a little kindling and a brightly lit match, I set it all on fire. I divorced my husband, left my corner office at Google, packed a suitcase, and purchased a one-way ticket out of the country. I traveled, mostly solo, for 9 months, traversing the globe without any goal or agenda other than to heal my heart and discover my self.

When I returned, I poked my head into a Chinese Medicine class and something came alive in me, the wisdom of the ancient Taoists resonating deeply like memories stored in my bones and tissues. I became incredibly curious about how the opposing forces of yin and yang constellated within me, within all of us, and how acupuncture needles and herbal medicines could support our embodied souls on this journey of discovery. For we are not static beings, and the journey isn’t what we think it is. It and we are a constantly evolving paradox as the yin becomes yang, and the yang illuminates yin, and the tension between the two gives birth to a third possibility which contains our own unique alchemy and curriculum. All we are asked to do is listen to the voice of our brave, beautiful soul.

Leaving the stability of my old life in search of the unknown was never an easy process, and I’ve encountered many obstacles and losses along the way, but I have never felt more at peace and connected to my life than I do today. Brave Life Acupuncture was born out of an experience and a vision to help others discover their inner alchemy, to bring the wisdom of the Taoists into form, to cradle the nervous system and gently guide the soul towards its original nature where new possibilities can emerge.

What specific conditions or health concerns does your clinic specialize in treating?

The symptoms I see in my practice range from musculoskeletal pain, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety to fertility, women’s health, digestive issues, and fatigue; but what often underlies these conditions is a psycho-emotional or spiritual imbalance that wants to be seen. Whether we address it directly with dialogue and inner sensing or simply acknowledge its existence and extend our compassion, these hidden parts speak to us through pain signals, hormonal imbalances, and various forms of dysfunction. Using acupuncture needles and other non-invasive modalities we invite the body to release what we no longer need to carry, sit next to the pain that is calling for help, and transform stuck energy into freedom and vitality. Our bodies are incredibly resilient and designed to heal.

Are there any particular philosophies or healing traditions that influence the clinic's practices?

I’ve spent the last several years studying with acupuncturist, psychotherapist, teacher and author Lorie Eve Dechar. Her teachings and writings on The Five Spirits and Alchemical Healing as influenced by Ancient Taoist Philosophy, Jungian Depth Psychology, Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing, Dreamwork, Myths + Archetypes, and her own decades of working with patients have had a profound impact on my healing practice and personal life. As opposed to practicing restorative medicine, which attempts to make symptoms “go away” so that we can return to life as it was, Alchemical Healing seeks to use the impasse or imbalance as a necessary ingredient for growth and transformation. Everything comes in service of our becoming.

I am also engaged in a newer course of study with Dr. Randine Lewis whose recent work on Taoist Death Medicine is poised to transform how we perceive and engage with the process of dying, not only from a hospice lens but also from a place of vitality. For we are all approaching the death canal, and the consciousness with which we live in these bodies will directly inform how we leave them and continue the journey beyond the veil.

Do you have any recommendations for those interested in trying acupuncture but nervous to get started?

If you haven’t tried acupuncture before, I know it can be scary to think about being poked with needles. A few things to keep in mind:

(1) The needles are extremely thin, about the width of a hair, and I am incredibly gentle in my approach. If you’ve had dry needling, this is very different.

(2) Acupuncture isn’t painful, but it does feel weird. We are literally conducting energy in the body and inviting a healing response so you will experience sensations, but often people find it to be extremely relaxing once the qi has started to flow. Many even fall asleep.

(3) You are always in choice about where the needles are allowed to go, how many we use, and how long they stay in.

(4) We don’t have to use needles at all. Essential oils also have resonance on acupuncture points, as does acupressure and other non-pokey therapies. We can tailor each treatment to your level of comfort.

Lastly, I offer free 20-minute virtual consultations to help answer any questions you might have about acupuncture and the way that I practice. Book online at my website here, or email me at [email protected].

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