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Meet Kathleen Ellerie of Beachside Community Acupuncture in Northwest Dallas

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Ellerie.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Health has always been a fascination and passion for me. I have very clear memories of teaching myself the bones and organs using GeoSafari (an electronic memory game) in kindergarten, and my mom photocopied images from her medical texts and put them in a Lisa Frank binder for me to use as a coloring book. During my childhood, I spent time at surgery centers with my mom but also attended health fairs and open houses at healing centers like Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida. My family started using Young Living essential oils when I was nine, and in high school I started studying exercise physiology as I became more involved with yoga, weight training, and sports. In college I was pre-med, earning degrees in Biology and Nutrition while also continuing to learn about holistic wellness. My graduate degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and additional Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences brought me full circle, as I integrate Eastern, clinical, and holistic nutrition in my practice and view my patients’ issues from all of the perspectives that I’ve gained from my experiences.

After moving from Florida, I spent three years in private practice around greater Dallas, and during that time I had patients that really needed to be coming in a few times a week but could only afford to see me once a month. I would have loved to refer them to a community clinic to get more regular treatments…but there weren’t any around! I saw the need for one and was inspired to start Beachside Community Acupuncture to provide affordable acupuncture to those who might not otherwise be able to experience the ancient medicine’s healing effects.

Has it been a smooth road?
There are always ups and downs in business, and Beachside Community Acupuncture is no exception. My biggest challenge has been learning patience. I have a strong vision of what I want for the clinic and my community, and I want to make it a reality as quickly as possible!

In the summer of 2015 I had a clear picture of an oasis where people could stop in for acupuncture treatments to overcome physical and emotional ailments or even just to get a break from the stresses of everyday life. These people would feel so renewed with vibrant energy after their treatments that they would be empowered to make other healthy changes and eventually lead others in their community to seek better health as well. All of this I saw so clearly…but it took the better part of 2016 to find the perfect location. Then setup took longer than expected, and so on. All good things take time, though, so right now I’m focusing on bettering my community through helping one patient at a time.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Most acupuncture in America is in the form of private practice, meaning each patient is treated in a private room. Traditional Chinese Medicine is historically practiced in a group setting, though, so members of the community can heal together. Both styles have their merits, but the biggest draws for community acupuncture are usually the cost, the lack of time constraints, and the experience of healing together.

Beachside Community Acupuncture offers acupuncture treatments on a sliding scale of $30-$50 (plus a one-time initial consultation fee of $15), so patients choose how much they’d like to pay based on their personal health budgets each time they come in. We suggest patients stay a full hour to really get the most out of their treatments, and because we have one big treatment room, people can book back-to-back appointments with their parents, siblings, friends, or co-workers so that they can enjoy their hour of relaxation together.

Outside of the benefits of community acupuncture, our clinic also stands out because of its atmosphere. From the tropical furniture to the ocean waves playing on repeat to the “windows” overlooking beachscapes, everything about Beachside Community Acupuncture is designed to simulate a beach oasis. We’ve had patients wake up after their treatments – many are so relaxed that they end up falling asleep! – saying they thought they were in their favorite vacation spot, which can be a nice change in landlocked Dallas.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I absolutely love Dallas and think it’s a wonderful place to start almost any business. I’ve met hundreds of inspiring, unique business owners since moving here, and the city has an almost palpable energy of progress and momentum. It’s not a coincidence that many large corporations chose to be based in DFW, and I can only see Dallas continuing to grow.

As for businesses in my field, I think attitudes about healthcare are shifting. Acupuncture is not as popular here as it is in other places I’ve lived, but almost everyone I meet in the community is open and interested in it. Traditional healthcare has been changing a lot lately, and I believe more people will turn to holistic medicine and natural choices to end their suffering in the near future. At this point it’s more an issue of education, of informing people that acupuncture can be used for pain, common colds, migraines, fertility, etc., as a first-line treatment instead of a last resort. Traditional Chinese Medicine is logical and works very well with Western medicine; right now, it’s just not the first thing that pops into a person’s head when a health issue comes up.

Pricing:

  • Acupuncture treatments are on a sliding scale of $30-$50, plus a one-time initial consultation fee of $15.
  • Herbal medicine, essential oils, and supplements are usually around $20.

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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