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

Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

My first exposure to acupuncture came during an internship with a physical therapist in Missoula, MT. He practiced acupuncture, and after receiving a treatment from him, I was absolutely amazed. In that moment, I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life.

I also had the opportunity to intern with a naturopathic doctor who integrated acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and other alternative healing practices into her work. She introduced me to a wealth of natural healing methods, which deepened my passion for understanding the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Inspired by her, I went on to study herbs at an herbal school in Asheville, NC, before attending acupuncture school. I couldn’t get enough of learning how the body can restore balance when given the right tools.

Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve touched on how I got into this field above, but I’d say that it was the influence of several alternative practitioners and their guidance that truly shaped my path. During my time in acupuncture school, I was pregnant with my first child, and I actually gave birth during my final semester. That experience deeply influenced my passion for fertility, pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum phase of women’s lives.

I find immense joy in helping women conceive, enjoy healthy pregnancies, and navigate the challenges that may arise during those times. I also love supporting them in resetting and balancing their bodies after labor. The postpartum period can be especially tough, with fluctuating hormones and emotional shifts, so I’m dedicated to helping women find balance in both mind and body, making it easier for them to handle these changes.

Now that I’m in the perimenopausal phase of life myself, I love bringing that knowledge and first-hand experience to patients going through the same life stage. There’s such a profound connection between the mind and body, and I’m passionate about harmonizing the two. It’s not just about relieving physical pain but also addressing emotional stress and anxiety. I believe in empowering people to understand that they can naturally support their bodies to be the best version of themselves.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I was pregnant with my second child, doctors discovered a cyst on my thyroid. After two separate biopsies from different physicians, both came back 100% cancerous. They urged me to have surgery immediately to remove it, but I didn’t want to undergo surgery while pregnant. Instead, I decided to wait the remaining two months until my baby was born.

During that time, I explored alternative healing methods. I did acupuncture, took various herbs, practiced Reiki, and tried energy work—anything that I thought could help.

After my daughter was born, I pumped as much breast milk as I could because the doctors told me my entire thyroid would likely be removed during surgery, and I’d need to be on lifelong medication. This meant I wouldn’t be able to nurse her, which devastated me.

About two months after her birth, I finally went in for surgery. When I woke up, my husband was smiling. I didn’t understand at first, but then he told me the incredible news: when they removed the half of my thyroid with the cyst and sent it to the lab for testing, the results showed there were no cancerous cells at all!

I was able to keep the remaining half of my thyroid, which now functions well enough that I don’t need medication. I’m not entirely sure what cured it—maybe it was all the alternative therapies I tried, or maybe it was just a miracle. What I do know is that I believed in my body’s ability to heal itself and never stopped fighting for that possibility.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had a very successful acupuncture practice in Asheville, NC, for over 10 years, located inside a busy OB-GYN doctor’s office while my kids were younger. Being from Charleston, I had always wanted to move back there, and I finally figured out a way to make that happen. For about two years, I commuted back and forth between Asheville and Charleston so I could continue seeing my patients. Eventually, though, I had to let them go and fully focus on building my life and practice in Charleston.

I ended up opening my practice during the pandemic, which seemed like the craziest time to start a business—but it actually turned out to be the perfect time. People were more stressed and anxious than ever, facing unprecedented uncertainties. Many started questioning traditional medicine due to the unknowns surrounding COVID-19 and began exploring alternative ways to boost their immune systems, stay healthy, and combat illnesses like colds, the flu, and COVID.

This is where acupuncture truly shines—bridging the connection between the mind and body. When people are stressed and anxious, their immune systems weaken, making them more prone to illness. When they’re frequently sick, it feeds into a cycle of stress and anxiety. Acupuncture works to break that cycle by balancing the mind and body, reducing stress, regulating emotions, boosting the immune system, relieving pain, and grounding the patient so they feel better overall.

Even though it was such a tumultuous time in history, my acupuncture practice thrived. I was able to help so many people navigate the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic while improving their health and well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://AgelessAcupunctureTCM.com
• Instagram: @acupuncturenatalieallard
• Facebook: acupuncturenatalieallard