Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Vitale. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenna , appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
One of the main defining moments in my career is when I realized the true value of Chinese medicine. During the first few years of acupuncture school, it was textbook and practicum heavy. It was not until I reached my clinical rounds that I experienced a huge “A-ha” moment when I saw the medicine in action. It was then that I realized that not only was I a skeptic, but- wow was it unbelievable how truly effective this stuff really is: the acupuncture and herbs. When you see people get better, escape chronic pain, and turn a corner in a positive way time and time again, it is a gratifying and humbling feeling. Fast forward years later, and I continue to enjoy the transformations and healing that I witness in my clinic.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Jenna Vitale. I grew up in Burbank, a suburb of Los Angeles, and proudly serve my hometown in my clinic Heart Based Health located in Toluca Lake, just on the outskirts of Burbank, Studio City & Hollywood Hills.
I began my journey in holistic medicine back in 2010 — just before it was trendy! Upon graduating high school, I embarked on my own deeply personal healing journey. In this exploration, I received an acupuncture treatment, and in that first experience I realized that acupuncture was more than a physical treatment. Not only was the pain in my arm relieved, but it felt like an emotional weight had been lifted off me.
When it came time for me to lock in a major, I went all in on acupuncture and Chinese medicine and never looked back ultimately receiving my doctorate and continuing to enrich my practice through education and specialized training. I have been in the world of Chinese medicine for 12 years and in private practice for 6+ years. I mainly love helping people grow through self-awareness while helping them achieve balance in their physical and emotional bodies. Acupuncture, as an energetic medicine, truly serves this goal, and I feel honored to practice this medicine.
In my clinic, we help patients enhance their vitality. This means- we help them feel their best physically and energetically and inspire in them regular practices to live long and strong.
I have a special interest in supporting women throughout the perinatal period—including their fertility journey, pregnancy, and postpartum. I truly believe, and am on a mission to share, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as powerful tools to enliven and heal imbalances in many areas of life, far beyond the physical body alone.
In my work, I help women understand fertility, prenatal, postnatal, and menopausal phases as sacred rites of passage and profound opportunities for healing and deepening their consciousness. My approach to women’s health takes into consideration that women in today’s society wear many hats. Therefore, the work we do centers on encouraging self-mothering and self-nurturing, instilling these personal values and practices in order to empower and support women in showing up present in every area of their lives with a cup that is overflowing.
I also frequently work with patients- men and women alike- to restore healthy digestion and to relieve or eliminate pain of all kinds—whether emotional and mental pain, the growing pains that arise during major life transitions, or physical pain such as arthritis, chronic back pain, or acute injuries.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
One of the best things I did in my professional career was the decision to study further and obtain my doctorate in Chinese Medicine. Not only did it deeply expand my knowledge and clinical efficacy, but it also gave me the opportunity to intimately connect with the origins of Classical Chinese medicine.
Many people are not aware that the Chinese medicine and acupuncture taught in schools in the West is primarily Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This version of Chinese Medicine is a standardized form that emerged after the Communist Revolution in China. Prior to that time, there were many subsets of the medicine that were pure, which we refer to as Classical Chinese medicine—much of which is based on the Ba Gua and connects to ancient Taoist principles and laws of nature, focusing more intently on addressing the Shen (or spirit) in every treatment and on expanding the consciousness to achieve a state of well-being. The form of acupuncture that I practice is rooted in Channel Theory, making it incredibly potent.
What continues to help me succeed in my practice is not just the technical application of the medicine, but the energy and intent behind my delivery. I am committed to practicing from a place of deep reverence and respect for my patients—and dedicated to guiding and educating them on lifestyle, diet, and ways they may fortify themselves for their own longevity—care that is grounded in empowerment.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The biggest lesson i’ve had to unlearn, which is an ongoing process is my own tendency toward perfectionism. I am embracing the imperfect and learning to accept myself and my work for all that it is!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartbasedhealth.com
- Instagram: @heartbasedhealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartbasedhealth/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heart-based-health-los-angeles-2
