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Balance Is in Motion: Acupuncture, Stress, and Resilience with Dr. Haley Parker
Thursday Tea with Sami
What if balance isn’t something you “achieve”… but something you practice—over and over again?
In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Sami Estrada sits down with Dr. Haley Parker, integrative medicine leader and educator, to explore East Asian Medicine and how acupuncture, herbs, breathwork, and movement can support real-life wellness—especially for stress, burnout, pain, and women’s health.
Dr. Parker shares her personal “conversion moment” into acupuncture after stubborn athletic injuries, the misconceptions that still keep people from trying East Asian Medicine, and what a first acupuncture visit actually feels like (yes—there are funny intake questions, and no—it’s not as scary as you think). Together, Sami and Haley dive into why stress quietly builds in the body, how burnout shows up in early red flags, and why healing often starts with the simplest step: a deep breath and a small shift forward.
You’ll also hear:
- Why “balance is in motion” (and why life keeps testing us!)
- How acupuncture supports the nervous system’s rest-and-digest state
- The East Asian Medicine view that “where there is blockage, there is pain”
- Movement tips for chronic pain (stretching, walking, gentle cardio, and more)
- Women’s health insights across the lifespan: cycles, fertility, and transitions
- The difference between supporting athletes vs. everyday bodies
- Why early education and prevention could transform healthcare as we know it
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck in pain, this episode is a grounding reminder that you’re not alone—and that healing doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.
Learn more / Connect with Dr. Haley Parker & VUIM:
- University: VUIM.edu
- Clinic: VUIMclinic.com
- Campuses/clinics mentioned: Tyson’s Corner, VA • Ridgefield, NJ • Duluth, GA
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🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!
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Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com
Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.
