Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Hoffman, L.Ac., MSOM.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a Chicago native and have always loved problem solving which is what Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine do for the body. My path to practicing acupuncture was anything but intentional. My story started with a successful but uninspiring corporate career, then an aesthetically pleasing, disciplined, but dangerous stint as a commercial pilot – which led to my first time on an acupuncture table. Then I found the success and happiness through practicing acupuncture and TCM. I took the fun and challenging parts of my past and poured it into this practice. I love what I do!
I listen to each patient’s challenges, determine where they’re most stagnant or blocked (a TCM concept), and from that, devise their treatment. Patients know their bodies better than anyone else. And by the time they reach me, they want someone to listen to their story, their challenges, and to get them on course, to break out of whatever wasn’t working before.
I formed my own practice in 2010 upon my return from China, and in 2015 took over Midwest Acupuncture Group as its founder moved out of state and said the patients would be in good hands with me – and that we had a similar sense of humor. Humor is key! The practice continues to grow and expand.
Dana Hoffman L.Ac BSc. MSOM
• Licensed Acupuncturist, State of Illinois
• Nationally Board Certified Diplomate in Acupuncture, NCCAOM
• Master of Science, Oriental Medicine – Midwest College of Oriental Medicine
• Bachelor of Science, Nutrition – Midwest College of Oriental Medicine
• Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (now inactive)
• Bachelor of Business Administration – University of Wisconsin, Madison
In addition to hundreds of hours of clinical acupuncture training, Dana has also completed additional training in Beijing, China under several esteemed doctors in both hospital and clinic settings. Dana has been practicing acupuncture, specializing in comprehensive internal medicine, women’s health, and psycho-emotional acupuncture since 2010, and has been practicing cosmetic acupuncture since 2011. Her private practice, Midwest Acupuncture Group, is located in Chicago’s Lincoln Square / North Center neighborhood.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m highly qualified through degree, training, board certification, and years of experience. You never stop learning as an acupuncturist. Often patients will say they’ve tried acupuncture before, but haven’t seen results. But then they’ll say they never had anyone take their pulse or look at their tongue, which is essential to making the correct TCM differential diagnosis. Their other experiences with acupuncture were analogous to fixing a car without looking under the hood. When you take the time to understand what’s “off” and address it, then your patient should have a favorable outcome.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Midwest Acupuncture Group – what should we know?
Midwest Acupuncture Group started in 2004 and is in its 13th year!
Unique to Midwest is that I practice a combination of psycho-emotional acupuncture (which isn’t really from any book), and tackle anything from tinnitus which has no single-known western cause, to benefiting various autoimmune conditions that impact everything from vision to hair loss (alopecia). A particular passion of mine is treating perimenopause which can be disruptive to daily life. There’s no need to suffer, and patients are thrilled to be less hot, less anxious, and sleeping again.
I help patients achieve successful outcomes every day and it’s the best part of this practice. People come in with emotional pain (depression, anxiety, feeling stuck), physical pain, debilitating diseases (with no previous encouragement that they’ll ever improve) and I help them regain control by removing the barriers to them feeling better. Acupuncture and the other modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine have worked for thousands of years by addressing the root cause of any dysfunction and treating beyond just the symptoms. Patients expect change quickly and I deliver on that expectation.
Midwest primarily focuses on acupuncture for a variety of physical and psycho-emotional conditions. Midwest Acupuncture Group also offers cosmetic acupuncture (an alternative to Botox) and complementary therapies, such as cupping and Gua Sha. There’s a fully stocked Chinese herbal pharmacy at the practice, from which I can dispense tailored prescriptions for use alongside an acupuncture course, or as a stand-alone preventative/remedy for a whole host of complaints. The clinic fosters a calming and positive treatment environment for patients.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My first professor of acupuncture, Dr. Alan Uretz, was a major influence and taught me not just TCM, but the thrill of figuring out solutions with a format that is thousands of years old. I think of him often. He had a wry sense of humor and made learning a pleasure.
Pricing:
- Initial Acupuncture Treatment with Consultation: $110
- Follow-Up Acupuncture Treatment: $90
- Cosmetic Acupuncture: $120
Contact Info:
- Address: 4361 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618 - Website: www.MidwestAcupunctureGroup.com
- Phone: (312) 834-7889
- Email: info@midwestacupuncturegroup.com
Image Credit:
Whittl.com
M Coeling
P. Diaz on the Get Acupuncture photo
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