Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Guthrie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I knew since I was younger that I had wanted to work in the medical field. I used to play ‘doctor’ often as a little girl. Not only did I find joy in helping people feel better, but was also fascinated by how the human body worked. I also felt I was always drawn towards some specialty in women’s health or fertility, so as I entered college, I decided to go the pre-med route and obtain my Bachelors in Biomedical Science. Little did I know, at that point, I would have a big change of heart soon.
I was always more holistically minded and open to trying natural alternatives before calling my doctor or asking for prescriptions, etc. In my last year of college, I found that my mental and physical health was not at its best. I felt kind of lost, but also did not want to turn to medications or conventional medicine for what I was struggling with. Thankfully, around this same time, a few of my close family members mentioned how they had been trying acupuncture. A lightbulb went off in my mind, and I thought I might as well give it a try. To this day, I am incredibly thankful that I did. I started to receive acupuncture treatments regularly, and it helped me immensely to get through a very rough patch in my life. It opened my eyes to a completely different system of medicine. I soon realized Chinese Medicine and acupuncture was not just about sticking a few needles in someone to help them relax and relieve stress. It was about treating the entire person, from the root, both mind and body to aid in healing us as a whole.
My experience with acupuncture persuaded me to look into Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, where four years later, I received my Masters and graduated as valedictorian of my class. After I graduated, I was really left with no other choices but to start up my own practice. I had tried to find positions as an acupuncturist, yet none of them ever felt like the right fit, and I really couldn’t see myself working for someone else long term. I am blessed that I found the right mentors and internships while I was still in school that helped me build both clinical and business skills after I graduated.
One of my mentors and inspirations, who I now consider a very good friend and colleague, connected me with a medical office in Park Ridge where I rented two rooms. This was definitely not an easy task to build a small business but I was convinced that the people in this area could benefit from what Chinese Medicine offered. Thankfully, as I grew more confident in my work, I began networking more, patients began sending more referrals, and I realized I was outgrowing this space. I had always visualized my own storefront practice, but in all honesty, I wasn’t sure it was possible. I started to read a lot of books about ‘mindset’ and entrepreneurship. This jump started me to take massive action, fueled by the passion for what I do, and build out my own clinic space, which has brought me to where I am today. I wouldn’t change any bit of my journey, as challenging as it was at times.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been a smooth road and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! Of course, it was not a smooth road! I constantly would question myself, both from a business and clinical perspective. I didn’t know a darn thing about running a business and on top of that, always wondered if I was actually helping the patients who walked in my door, especially if I came across very difficult cases that I never thought I would encounter as an acupuncturist. I’m very upfront and honest when I admit that I struggled with a lot of self-doubts, fear of failure, and possibly burn out. However, I will say that now I am grateful for the struggles and challenges. I truly believe that challenges are blessings and serve to inspire positive change in us, which then reflects in life and business.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Eastern Vitality Acupuncture – what should we know?
At Eastern Vitality, it is my goal to help patients reach their optimal level of both physical and mental health through Chinese Medicine, which includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, nutrition, and lifestyle guidance.
A main focus and specialization at my practice are working with fertility patients, pregnancy support and other women’s health concerns. Helping women conceive, supporting them through pregnancy and as they transition into motherhood is one of the most rewarding, humbling experiences. We also offer placenta encapsulation to aid in postpartum health and recovery.
We also see many others patients for issues with stress-related disorders, pain, anxiety, depression, headaches, and other ailments.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important quality to my success is mastering positive mindset and reframing perspective of what success looks like. I am definitely no master at this, it is always a work in progress. I work tirelessly to see the positive in most situations, in business, patient cases, or personal life. If I’m ever met with a challenge, I ask myself what can I learn from this and how can it help me become a better person to serve others. This has taken a lot of ‘self-work’ or ‘self-growth’ but has helped me immensely to reframe my perspective on success. At the end of the day, success is not about how busy my practice is or the number of dollar signs in a bank account. In my mind, success is about measuring how much value I may have added to the lives of those I encountered.
Contact Info:
- Address: Eastern Vitality Acupuncture
1218 S. Crescent Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068 - Website: www.easternvitalityacupuncture.com
- Phone: (773)800-1806
- Email: info@easternvitality.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easternvitalityacupuncture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EasternVitalityAcupuncture/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/eastern-vitality-acupuncture-park-ridge-3
Image Credit:
Chela Cervantes Photography
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