I am honored to be a part of Portland Wellness Week, which brings together people from all facets of the holistic healthcare realm in Portland. Read my interview below, or click here to see the original article.
Next up on our Well Talk guest list is Emily Bartha of Turning Pointe Acupuncture. Emily recently joined us at our first Spring Pop Up, sharing her insights on how to successfully navigate stress via our panel. Emily’s journey towards acupuncture began when she suffered a hamstring injury as a professional ballet dancer that took her away from her art for 6 months. After trying all that she could with western medicine, she found immediate relief with acupuncture along with a bonus - improvement in her overall sense of well being. Emily is an NCCAOM Board Certified Acupuncturist with a focus on chronic pain, orthopedics and sports medicine. She has over five years of experience working in an integrative healthcare environment — including a sports medicine clinic, an interdisciplinary pain management clinic and a teaching clinic. She is a member of Oregon Ballet Theatre's Allegro Society, acting as the acupuncturist for the ballet company’s dancers.
Read on for insights on why Emily thinks small moments matter, how she starts her day at her clinic and what she’d put in your wellness toolkit.
What is your favorite inspirational quote and why?
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard.
As human beings, we get so focused on the future, with plans, goals and deadlines, that we often forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. This quote reminds me that the small moments matter and that I have a choice to be present each day. We don't need to wait for an amazing vacation or to reach a certain level of success to feel a sense of awe. We can find beauty in each and every day -- a sunrise on your morning commute, dinner with family, the smell of the ocean, or a child's genuine smile -- these are the moments that make up a life.
Mindset is such an important aspect of wellness. How do you stay sane and manage your stress while managing your growing business?
It is easy to get overwhelmed running an acupuncture clinic and a side business (CocoGlow) and it is a continual effort for me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It can be exhausting to constantly multi-task and switch your focus in a reactive manner. When I start to feel the stress level creep up, I step back and look at the big picture. So much of our busy work that seems highly important in the moment, is actually distracting us from honing in on our long-term visions. I also make an effort to look at how far I've come and think about why I do what I do - I want to help people live healthier and more balanced lives.
What keeps you focused and motivated?
Helping active people and athletes get out of pain and achieve their goals motivates me to keep learning. It also inspires me to bring Chinese medicine and acupuncture to more people that could benefit from it. Often my patients will come see me after trying everything else — acupuncture is their last hope. It is a great privilege to practice this medicine that views the body, mind and spirit as interconnected. Seeing my patients go through a journey of healing and growth is what motivates me at the end of the day.
What are your non-negotiable self-care rituals or practices that you do every day, no matter what your schedule looks like?
I meditate for 5 minutes every morning when I arrive at the clinic so that I can clear my mind and be ready to see patients. I need to move almost daily — through dance, yoga, climbing or running to feel my best. I also need regular exposure to nature.
Do you have a morning or evening self-care routine? If so, what is it?
I have a both. In the morning I make an oat milk latte with a mixture of Chinese herbs, depending on how I'm feeling that day. I also make it a point to drink 2 glasses of water since I'm usually too busy once I get to work. I will usually do 10 minutes of yoga and stretching. At night I use a jade facial roller after applying oil to my face. These are all small rituals, but they add up, and I feel off when I don't stick to them.
What is your favorite form of exercise or activity?
I take ballet and dance classes regularly. It helps me stay connected to my body and allows me to express myself creatively. In Chinese medicine we talk about the goal of a free flow of qi, or vital energy. Ballet really gives me this feeling and I start to feel stagnant if I don't do it regularly.
“So much of our busy work that seems highly important in the moment, is actually distracting us from honing in on our long-term visions.”
How do you stay connected with friends and family when you're busy?
I am so lucky to be from Oregon, so my friends and family are all close. This is an area where I'm trying to improve.
If you had to create a wellness tool kit for someone, what are 5 must-have items or practices?
Morning meditation with light movement.
Disconnecting from screens 1 hour before bed.
Weekly time in nature.
Adaptogens. Adaptogens are powerful herbs that help your body respond to stress on a cellular level.
Magnesium. So many people are deficient in this important mineral! And it can help with mood, sleep, sore muscles, menstrual cramps — it is amazing!
What are your favorite wellness trends right now or on the coming horizon?
I'm really happy to see the shift toward conscious use of technology and I foresee this trend continuing to gain momentum. The impact of technology on our brains and on mental and physical health is very real. It can disrupt our circadian rhythms and tends to make people feel more isolated. Research has found that relationships and a sense of community are huge indicators of health and life expectancy. Making a conscious effort to disconnect from technology, whether at a certain time each night, or for a long weekend, is a really great way to reconnect to your community, relationships and your intuition.
