Today we’d like to introduce you to Sasha Hanning.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always wanted to open my own practice- it is something I have talked about doing since college. I thought I would open a physical therapy clinic because that’s where my studies began, however, the dream grew and adapted as my studies evolved. I worked in physical therapy for about eight years, which took me from Montana to Argentina to Milwaukee, and then San Diego. I was starting my doctoral program in physical therapy in San Diego, and realized it wasn’t exactly how I wanted to be treating. I practice functional rehabilitation which needs more hands on one on one time with clients and PT clinics were becoming more number oriented. I had gotten my massage therapy license before going back to school for my doctorate, and starting working part time to hone my manual therapy skills. In doing massage treatments, I became more aware of how your body retains the effects of a treatment more quickly and for longer periods of time providing clients with better results. At the same time, I had been having acupuncture treatments for my own health issues, and had seen the benefits of what it can do. My own Acupuncturist knew of my doubts of working in the physical therapy industry, and mentioned that I should look into the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Knowing the great results that I had gotten, I took her suggestion and decided to go back to school for my master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine It has allowed me to have a more holistic full body approach to treatments combining both my eastern and western medical backgrounds. I finished my master’s program here in Chicago in 2012, and started working in wellness clinics around the city. In 2015, I became more serious about opening my own integrative wellness center and started the process to make it happen, opening in the summer of 2016.
My educational background consists of a Master’s of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTOM) from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology/Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. I worked at Hospital Privado, in Cordoba, Argentina as an inpatient stroke and cardiac physical therapist and ran an outpatient continued care program, which helped patients transfer out of their rehab into a regular active lifestyle. I worked in physical therapy at NovaCare in Milwaukee, WI (my hometown) where I was able to hone my skills in spine care rehabilitation and at CORE Orthopedic in San Diego, CA where I found a niche in the functional rehabilitation methods of Egoscue, Gary Gray, Sahrmann, and McKenzie. As I mentioned previously, I studied massage therapy at the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, where I focused on more clinical massage techniques of deep tissue, sports, sensory re-patterning, Neuromuscular and PNF.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course it hasn’t always been a smooth road, but the struggles and challenges have helped me to define what I want my practice to be to provide for my clients and the community. All in all, I love what I do, and it provides me a great joy and happiness to be a part of my client’s wellness, progress, and results. One of my struggles was dealing with finding a school/work life balance, however honestly, the struggle turned into a positive when I have a client with the same issue. In regards to opening my clinic, some of the struggles were doing it on my own, and finding resources here in the city like financing, legal, city requirements, contractors, etc. Thankfully I have a wonderful network of friends that helped connect me with the right people to make it all happen,
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Active Balance story. Tell us more about the business.
Active Balance is an integrative health and wellness center providing acupuncture, massage, rehabilitative exercise, nutrition, gait analysis, cupping, and food sensitivity testing. We have daytime, evening and weekend hours to accommodate all types on schedules- including working from home, commuters, and parents. As of mid-April, we will have a practitioner who treats pediatrics as well.
We combine both Eastern and Western medicine to treat and educate patients to be more involved with their care, health and wellbeing. While the majority of clients we see come in with chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues (the gateway to acupuncture), there are also many other issues that Eastern Medicine treats. Acupuncture has much success in treating digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, women’s health, fertility, depression, anxiety, stress relief, common cold, immunity boosting, adrenal fatigue, weight management, and supporting and complementing western medical treatment for oncology and auto immune disorders. Each client is evaluated and looked at individually. We take the time to break down the issue- getting to its root and then building the system back up, retraining the body and mind. We utilize acupuncture, manual therapy and exercise to achieve the goals clients want to reach, along with nutrition in an Eastern perspective viewing food as medicine to help balance disease in the body.
A passion for individual wellness provides patients with comprehensive care at every stage of treatment. By benefiting from techniques and modalities of acupuncture, massage, functional exercise rehabilitation, and nutrition with laboratory testing we are able to help clients have a better understanding of how to maintain an internal balance where the body and mind work together to stay healthy. We provide clients with personalized and integrated wellness plans that have healed athletes, injuries, illness… and more.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe its luck that plays a role. I worked hard to get where I am at in life and I think I’ve had wonderful opportunities along the way that have provided me with experiences, both good and bad. I feel very fortunate that I have found something that I love to do, and I have a true passion for helping people. I’m grateful to have worked with wonderful practitioners throughout my career, that mentored me and helped me develop a deeper skill set. I consider myself lucky to have clients that are just as invested in seeking out integrative medicine for better health. Unfortunately, a “bad luck” aspect would be the sometimes-negative connotations that the field of Alternative Medicine carries with it. Educating clients on how Acupuncture, Massage, Eastern Medicine, and Nutrition can benefit them, allows me the opportunity to increase awareness of the many benefits of Alternative Medicine.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3330 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, Il 60657 - Website: http://activebalancechicago.com/
- Phone: 773 697 8013
- Email: info@activebalancechicago.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activebalancechi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/activebalancechi/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/active-balance-chicago
Image Credit:
Profile image from Flicker.
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