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

Elena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.

The road to becoming an acupuncturist is longer than you might think. After finishing a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent, you then have 3-4 years of postgraduate education to complete. In Colorado, you have the option of studying solely acupuncture, or you can include herbal medicine into your curriculum. This education encompasses both Eastern and Western medical training. I chose to study both acupuncture and herbal medicine, which consisted of 3045 hours of educational training, including 825 clinic hours and 150 observation hours.

You would think that after four years of dedicated education, you would be able to practice acupuncture, right? Actually, no. After you complete your degree, there are 3-4 national board exams that need to be passed before you can legally practice acupuncture. I’m not going to lie, it was a very intense time. However, these exams are something I’m grateful for, as they ensure that all board-certified acupuncturists have the proper education to effectively and safely treat patients. If you are ever looking for an acupuncturist, I would highly recommend one who is board-certified. Or, if you are in the area, I invite you to come see me!

As far as an anecdote goes, there’s not one particular story that stands out. The entire journey was a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with learning experiences. The COVID-2020 shutdown occurred during the middle of my education, and that required flexibility and resilience to navigate the ebbs and flows of the changes being made. This flexibility can be applied in all aspects of life. They say you must bend so you do not break. Being flexible also applies to every case I encounter. You can do all the learning and ace the tests, but you rarely encounter someone who has exact textbook symptoms. I have had to learn to keep an open mind, viewing the whole picture, and not be constrained by the confines the logical mind imposes on us.

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

My name is Elena, and I am the founder and lead acupuncturist of Graceful Healing Acupuncture & Wellness. We offer patient-centered healing practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. My journey to this point began with a healthy curiosity about the ways of the seasons and the internal workings of the human body. These macro and microcosm worlds, brimming with life, captivated my attention and ignited my pursuit of knowledge. Ultimately, what led me here was following my heart, embarking on a journey to uncover the wisdom of ancient medicines and ways of life, such as TCM.

I created Graceful Healing Acupuncture & Wellness to provide a safe and patient-centered space for those in need of holistic healthcare. This aspect is often missing in the busy, insurance-driven medical system we have today. My goal is to make sure that every patient feels heard, valued, and respected. You are not simply a number or a set of letters on a clipboard. The beauty with TCM is that everyone is treated differently, and my intention is not only to relieve symptoms but also to uncover the root of every imbalance.

Each treatment is unique to the individual, and it may involve not only acupuncture (the insertion of tiny needles into specific points throughout the body) but also other modalities such as acupressure, guasha/scraping, cupping, or electrical stimulation. Additionally, I aim to provide personalized insights and recommendations on movements, breathing patterns, and dietary modifications tailored to each individual’s specific needs.

My hope is to help people live gracefully within their bodies, navigating life with ease and acceptance, knowing that living in pain is not the only option. Understanding that stress can be regulated and shouldn’t be the norm in your life. Whether it’s to bring balance to someone’s life or to journey together to uncover the root of chronic health issues, I am excited to help. I treat a wide range of disorders, but have a special affinity for treating digestive disorders, women’s health, nervous system dysregulation, such as stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, headaches/migraines, sinus issues, and, of course, pain.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I feel like so much of our society is built around the idea of go-go-go, achieve more, push until you break. This mindset is something that I continue to unlearn—learning to slow down and that it’s okay to take time for rest. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a go-getter and having all these goals you want to accomplish. Some people thrive on that type of stimulation, but for me, this rushing nature causes more harm than good, and its grip on my mind is something I am constantly having to unwind. Of course, I have many things I want to learn and accomplish, but instead of packing my schedule and rushing to get to the end goal, I return to the importance of slowing down.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Listening. Letting every story unfold, listening not only to what someone is saying, but also observing how it affects their body as they speak. Listening with eyes, ears, and all senses. The body keeps score, and perhaps something that happened years ago, seemingly inconsequential in the present, might be manifesting in physical symptoms that are experienced today. With nonjudgmental listening, I strive to connect the dots and uncover the root of every issue.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gracefulhealingacu.com
• Instagram: @gracefulhealingacu

Image Credits

Mary Brand Danser