Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Flores. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Justin , thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I decided to start a private practice while living in New York around 2011. I was looking to retire from performing professionally and I was in search of something I could do that was still creative, would allow me to keep working with dancers, allow me to be my own boss, and get better over time. Dance medicine seemed like a great place to be working.

The first thing I had to do was assemble the education, certificates, licenses, etc. I had previously taken classes in body work and earned credentials in neuromuscular reeducation but I needed to earn the license for acupuncture and I had to do it in California not New York. I enrolled in a program that had campuses in both New York and San Diego. You have to earn a Master’s degree in Science to sit for the license examination and it takes 4 years so I did 2 years in NYC and 2 years in San Diego then went into private practice.

I received some very good advice early on that I’ll share with you now. It is important to have a niche practice. Do something that sets you apart from others in the field and build your market or corner an existing one. My business is a referral business so everyone I see knows someone that I have helped in the past. It takes time to build, be patient and keep your overhead low.

Justin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into dance medicine by way of dance. I started training to be a ballet dancer when I was a teenager. I was fortunate enough to perform professionally for over 20 years concluding with a successful season as a soloist with the New York Metropolitan Opera. I use all my years of experience with movement to ascertain why a patient is having pain when they move, what is causing the pain, and how do we learn to move without pain. I also employ acupuncture, manual muscle testing, tui na, and manual therapy to make the desired corrections and reeducate the mover. It’s an investigation and always enlightening.

I’m a mechanic. Acupuncture is one spoke in the hub of my practice. My approach focuses on how the body is organizing for movement and asks the question what is functional and what is not functional in your movement. The acupuncture needle is great for communication with the nervous system and reprogramming this organization.

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

Patience and perseverance are 2 very important traits in these fields.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would definitely do all this over again. I had a great time in my first career as a dancer and got to travel all over the world and I completely love what I am doing now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.restorebodynow.com

Image Credits
Andrea Basile Israel Palacio