We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deborah Rothman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Deborah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

While I had some previous Western medical training in a pre-med department, I had not really pursued my medical career and was instead working in a business environment. One day while at work, I had a fall from a water leak causing me to flip over a large garbage pail spilling over while collecting the water. The rapid movement caused me to careen down a corridor smashing my head into a concrete wall. The result was a severe case of vertigo and a concussion that lead to traumatic brain injury.

Immediately after the fall, I felt a little beaten up but thought I was ok. It wasn’t until the next morning that my speech was slurred, I was unable to walk a straight line, I was overwhelmingly dizzy, and I was a little off cognitively which was definitely not the norm for me. Over the next six months, with the room spinning and vomiting constantly, I was hospitalized a few times. I was seen by top Neurologists who after extensive testing and brain imaging, concluded that in order to get better I simply needed brain rest. In short, this means no talking on the phone, no reading, no watching tv. You are simply supposed to stare at the walls until your brain heals. This is not a realistic method of healing for anyone, and certainly not for someone who works, is active and has young children. This lead me to seek a path of Holistic healing and via TCM; Traditional Chinese Medicine, find a road to recovery. This was truly a defining moment in my professional career. There are times where Western medicine is unable to find a solution, but Eastern medicine can truly help.

This harrowing injury was probably one of the best things that happened to me. The Eastern medicine approach saved my life and pushed me to rethink my own medical career in order to be able to help others. I went back to school for an additional four years and completed my Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. I then successfully passed three medical boards. I further pursued my degree completing an additional four years in my Doctorate in Acupuncture. I have since built a private practice and a wellness center offering true healing. I love what I do for a living. I am truly grateful every day to be able to help people on their wellness journey.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

AcuZen Wellness Center offers complete healing the natural way. I provide Acupuncture as the primary service. I also utilize Electric Stimulation, Cupping, herbal therapy and various modalities that may be beneficial to the patient. A licensed massage therapist is on staff. Salt Caves provide an incredible relaxing environment that helps with anxiety, insomnia, respiratory issues including allergies, asthma, sinus congestion, emphysema, COPD and many other concerns. I also provide Microneedling with vegan stem cells. This is an incredible tool for achieving youthful skin in the anti- aging process, without side effects and harmful chemicals.

We do not believe in a one-size fits all approach. Instead our specialty is providing a customized treatment for every individual for optimal healing. This is the core of our treatments, and it is realized in the successful outcome. It often translates into repetitive word of mouth recommendations bringing more people seeking healing solutions. I am grateful for our patients and love seeing the life changing healing.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I have learned is that while there is definitely a need for Western medicine when it comes to emergency medicine and when it comes to specific ailments, there is a tremendous need for Holistic healing. They are not contradictory. As an example, if someone has a cut and needs stitches, that is certainly something to see a plastic surgeon for and follow through. If someone breaks a leg, they need to see an orthopedist and have imaging and may need a cast put on. If someone has Cancer, they need to see an Oncologist. However, in all cases, Acupuncture can help with the healing. It can help speed up the recovery and the bones heal faster. A big part of my practice is helping people undergoing Chemotherapy. Chemo is non-selective. This means that while it is necessary to destroy the tumor cells, it also depletes the individual’s immune system. Acupuncture is essential in supporting the immune system in order to be able to handle the chemotherapy treatments. It can also be very beneficial in helping mitigate the side effects such as nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, and mouth sores. Holistic medicine is also an incredible tool at pre-emptive medicine. Building a strong immune system and finding balance in terms of stress and anxiety is an incredible method to avoid serious illnesses overall.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I have spent many years in medical school. The text book and clinical training only get you so far. In reality, understanding your patient as an individual, and helping them have hope that they can achieve wellness is essential. Often times, someone needs to feel that they are heard. Unfortunately, many primary care physicians have a limited amount of time; typically under six minutes that they can spend with their patient. They often miss important diagnostic relative information. In Traditional Chinese Medicine we do not diagnose according to the illness, but rather according to our patient’s symptoms, and also their tongue and pulse- key diagnostic tools. This enables us to understand the root of the illness. Instead of covering up as if applying a band-aid, it allows us to get proper healing so that the issues resolve entirely and do not return.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Acuzen.com
• Instagram: @acuzenwellness
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