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

Pun, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

One of the most heartwarming moments in my practice was when a fertility patient came back with a positive pregnancy test. It was the first time I’d supported someone through that kind of journey and we had both worked hard to get there. She had been coming in regularly, following treatment recommendations, and staying hopeful through the uncertainty.

When she shared the news, it felt like time paused for a second. We both teared up. I was so excited for her that a new soul was joining this world and I got to witness the beginning of that story. It wasn’t just about the result it was about everything it represented: trust, patience, and the quiet power of consistent care.

I’m constantly reminded of how incredible this job really is not just during the big, emotional moments, but even in the quiet ones. Sometimes I’ll be cleaning up after a session or resetting the room and I’ll catch myself thinking, “I really love what I do. I’m so happy.” Many days when I walk to my car, I still feel that. It’s reassuring to know I’m in the right field especially when I leave feeling refreshed and energized, not drained and exhausted. Being in my own space and creating the kind of environment I believe in only deepens that sense of purpose.

Pun, 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?

Hi, I’m Pun, a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of Healthqi Acupuncture. I provide traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based care that includes acupuncture, food therapy, lifestyle modification, and other complementary techniques to help patients feel better, move more freely, and live with greater ease.

I wanted to do something meaningful that could leave a legacy or make a lasting impact. I didn’t always know what my “thing” was but acupuncture gave me direction, purpose, and a way to offer something unique and deeply needed.

At Healthqi, I treat a wide range of concerns, including pain, stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, fertility challenges, sleep issues, digestive problems, and more. Each treatment is tailored to the individual with an emphasis on treating the root cause, not just the surface symptoms.

What sets Healthqi apart is the level of care and intention in everything I do. I offer supporting therapies like cupping, gua sha, e-stim, and ear seeds at no extra charge when they’re part of your treatment plan because I believe in doing what’s truly needed, not what can be billed. Most clinics charge separately for these therapies but I choose to include them as part of your treatment plan when appropriate. I see them as essential tools, not extras and I want patients to feel fully supported without worrying about added fees. I also offer stand-alone gua sha sessions, which not many clinics in the area do.

One thing I’m especially proud of is being nominated for Maple Grove Community Votes and I haven’t even hit my one-year mark yet. It’s truly an honor and it reminds me that people are paying attention, even if they’re just learning about acupuncture for the first time.

If there’s one thing I wish more people knew, it’s that acupuncture actually works. It’s not placebo. It’s not guesswork. In many Asian countries, acupuncture is incredibly common. You’ll even see full waiting rooms just for acupuncture alone. Here in the U.S., it’s still relatively new to a lot of people and for many, the word “acupuncture” is as far as their understanding goes. But once they experience it, the results speak for themselves.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

An important lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that as a shy and introverted individual, I could avoid the social aspects required to successfully run a business. Early in my practice, I attended a paid business networking event with the intention of making professional connections, yet I found myself unable to engage meaningfully due to my shyness. I left feeling as though I had wasted the opportunity.

This experience was a pivotal moment in my professional development. Stepping out of my comfort zone has been essential. While I do not naturally enjoy social events or entering a room of strangers alone, I recognized that as a business owner, it is necessary to actively build relationships and engage with others, instead of staying behind the scenes.

A lot of us get into this field because we’re passionate about healing but what we don’t always realize is that we’re also stepping into entrepreneurship. That means doing more than just acupuncture. It requires networking, marketing, and forming professional connections to foster growth. Over time, I am progressively developing the confidence to communicate effectively about patient care with chiropractors, participate in one-on-one meetings with other professionals, attend numerous business networking events, and represent my practice by tabling and presenting at community events. I’ve learned to lean into those moments even when they feel uncomfortable, and each time I do, I walk away more confident and more connected.

Since then, I’ve embraced this side of my work and continue to challenge myself to grow as both an acupuncturist and a business owner. It’s not always easy but it’s essential to the success and sustainability of my practice.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Technical skill is essential in acupuncture but beyond that, success comes down to how you show up both for your patients and for yourself. This field requires deep listening, patience, presence, and respect not just for the medicine, but for the people you’re treating.

You have to be able to hold space without rushing to fix. You have to read between the lines, understand what isn’t being said, and earn trust over time. Also, you have to genuinely care. Patients can feel when your energy is off, when you’re distracted, or when you’re just going through the motions. That’s why intention matters just as much as knowledge.

You also need to respect the cultural roots of this medicine. Acupuncture isn’t just a trendy modality. It comes from thousands of years of wisdom and it’s important to treat it with that level of reverence. The more I stay grounded in that perspective, the more successful and aligned I feel in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healthqiacu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthqi_acu/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthqiacu