We recently connected with Angie Ng and have shared our conversation below.

Angie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Absolutely. The moment that changed the trajectory of my career—and ultimately my life—was the first time I experienced acupuncture.

At the time, I was working full-time in IT as a web application developer for a large corporation. On paper, it was an ideal job: a steady paycheck, great benefits, low stress, and predictable hours. But beneath the surface, I felt deeply unfulfilled. I struggled with anxiety, depression, and chronic back pain, and I often found myself wondering if I was really meant to sit in a cubicle for the rest of my life. Still, the idea of leaving the security of a corporate job felt overwhelming and risky. I had no clear alternative in mind—just the persistent sense that I was meant to do something more meaningful.

Then came that pivotal moment: I visited a highly skilled acupuncturist in my 30s. That first treatment was transformative. I felt relaxed, inspired, and—most importantly—hopeful. For the first time in a long time, I felt connected to something deeper. Acupuncture not only alleviated my physical and emotional symptoms, but also sparked a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years. I realized that I didn’t just want to be on the receiving end of this medicine—I wanted to learn it, live it, and help others through it.

That experience became the catalyst for a complete career shift. I enrolled in an acupuncture school in Chicago, a decision that took courage, years of night classes and clinical internships, and a lot of juggling between work and school. I continued my corporate job while completing the program and, slowly but surely, began building a practice of my own. Eventually, I reached the point where I could leave the corporate world behind and commit fully to my clinic.

Now, 17 years into practicing acupuncture and running my own clinic, I can say with confidence that it was the best decision I’ve ever made. That defining moment taught me that fulfillment is worth the risk, and that healing—both our own and others’—can be a powerful guide toward discovering our true path.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Angie Ng, and I’m a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of Acupuncture for Balanced Wellness in Chicago. I came to acupuncture after years in the corporate world as a web developer. While the job was stable and comfortable, I felt unfulfilled and struggled with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. A transformative experience with acupuncture opened my eyes to a more meaningful path—one that resonated with both my personal healing journey and my cultural roots. That moment inspired me to leave the tech world, go back to school, and ultimately build a practice dedicated to helping others find balance and wellness.

At Acupuncture for Balanced Wellness, I help people restore balance in their lives by treating a wide range of conditions—infertility, pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, women’s health issues, digestive concerns, and more. I use acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support my patients’ natural healing processes.

What sets my practice apart is a combination of clinical experience, cultural connection to the medicine, and a deeply personal understanding of what it means to go through physical and emotional healing. I take time to truly listen to my patients, educate them about how their bodies work, and help them feel seen—not just as a set of symptoms, but as whole individuals.

What I’m most proud of is having built a career that not only helps others but also reflects who I am at my core. I’m grateful every day to do work that’s meaningful and aligned with my values. For potential clients, I want you to know that healing is possible, and you don’t have to settle for just “getting by.” My goal is to help you reconnect with your body, find relief, and rediscover what it feels like to thrive.

Whether you’re looking for support with a specific condition or simply want to feel more balanced and grounded in your day-to-day life, I welcome you to explore how acupuncture and holistic care can support your journey.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that security and stability are the most important factors in choosing a career. For years, I stayed in IT roles within large corporations—not because I loved the work, but because I believed having a steady paycheck and predictable routine was the responsible thing to do. I was never passionate about sitting in a cubicle or coding, but I convinced myself it was necessary to pay the bills and “be secure.”

Over time, I realized that while there’s nothing wrong with those jobs, and many thrive in them, I was never going to achieve my full potential because they didn’t ignite any sense of purpose or excitement in me. I wasn’t inspired, and therefore, I never truly excelled. It became clear that what actually matters more is finding passion and meaning in your work. When you genuinely love what you do, excellence comes naturally—and in many cases, so does financial success. Letting go of the security-first mindset opened the door for me to build a career that feels fulfilling and aligned, rather than just safe.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation has grown largely through the consistent results I’ve achieved with acupuncture treatments and the honest, heartfelt reviews shared by happy patients. Word-of-mouth from people who’ve experienced real relief and improvement in their health has been incredibly powerful. I also take pride in offering an individualized approach to holistic healthcare—really taking the time to understand each person’s unique needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution. That level of personalized care builds trust, and over time, it’s helped me become known not just for what I do, but for how I do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acubalancechicago.com
• Instagram: acubalancechicago
• Facebook: acubalancechicago
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/acupuncture-for-balanced-wellness-chicago

Image Credits

Alexis Goettsch Photography (headshot only)