Posture & Purpose With Dr. Michelle Carr Frank
Welcome to Posture and Purpose where both healing and community come together! An inside look into Carr Chiropractic and Dr. Michelle Carr Frank.
Posture & Purpose With Dr. Michelle Carr Frank
From Psychology To Acupuncture: A Healer’s Path To Whole-Body Wellness
Needles aren’t the headline—balance is. We sit down with Lafayette acupuncturist Donna Greene to unpack how Traditional Chinese Medicine reframes health from “fix the symptom” to “restore the system,” and why steady, consistent care beats quick fixes. Donna’s story runs from psychology and social work to massage, shiatsu, and acupuncture, giving her a rare lens on pain, mood, and the way stress shows up in the body. She breaks down meridians in plain language, explains why one session won’t solve long-term issues, and shows how Eastern and Western approaches can work together without ego or guesswork.
We get practical. Donna walks us through a first visit, from tongue and pulse to point selection, and shares how she reads breath as a real-time stress meter. She lays out what acupuncture reliably helps—digestive issues, neuropathy, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, hypertension, and diabetes—then spells out when Western medicine must lead, especially in acute or emergency care. Her fertility insights stand out: start three months early, regulate cycles, map treatment timelines to IUI or IVF, and reduce stress so the body can do its job. Along the way we dig into shiatsu, ashiatsu, and the difference between relaxation massage and targeted therapeutic work.
The heart of the conversation is mindset and community. Donna views grief literacy as a health skill, not a crisis response, and teaches simple self-care that people actually do: daily walks, sunlight, time off screens, and finding your tribe. She champions food therapy, short-term herbs, and collaborative referrals so patients feel supported from every angle. If you’ve been curious about acupuncture, cautious about needles, or stuck with chronic symptoms that never quite resolve, this is an honest, hopeful roadmap to moving forward.
If this resonates, follow and share the show, and leave a review so others can find these conversations. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, and tell us: what small habit will you start today?
So, in your view, what has been the biggest misconception that people have about acupuncture?
SPEAKER_01:Um, that one treatment is the cure all. I have to keep reminded this isn't magic, you know, it's it's a cumulative effect, just like chiropractic here.
SPEAKER_00:Welcome to Posture and Purpose, where both healing and community come together. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Let's get into this episode with Dr. Michelle Car Frank.
SPEAKER_02:Hello, and welcome to this episode of Posture and Purpose. Today we have Miss Donna Green with Tranquil Pathways, an acupuncturist here in Lafayette, Louisiana. And we're here to learn about all the wonderful things she can help you uh with and all the things she does and the technology that she uses as well. So, welcome. Thank you for being here. Thank you for inviting me. So tell us how did your journey into healing begin? How did it evolve?
SPEAKER_01:Um, it was kind of a little magic carpet ride, I call it. Um I graduated at USL with a degree in psychology back in the 80s, early 80s, and then I went on to New Orleans and did social work for 12 years in the psychiatric hospitals.
SPEAKER_02:Oh gosh, I bet you learned a lot. Yes. Life experience.
SPEAKER_01:I was very young, so I didn't know much when I got there. So um while I was there, I was working on my master's degree in social work, and I don't know, got sidetracked and ended up in nursing school.
SPEAKER_02:Wow.
SPEAKER_01:So while I was in nursing school, um we had a family emergency and uh and I'm from Lafayette and I was two hours away. So I just decided I think I need to go home. So I came home and was gonna finish my nursing curriculum here and uh ended up in massage therapy school. And that lasted um I I enjoyed it, but I got bored like three years in. I'm like, I don't know. Where did you go to school? At Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage. Um so I graduated and opened my own practice and worked at the school itself for a little while, and then I got interested in Eastern traditional Chinese medicine. So that got me in a 20-month Xiatsu practitioner program, and that was in '99. And then by 2003, I was in Houston in acupuncture school. So you are a perpetual learner. I am. And when people say how long have you been in school since kindergarten?
SPEAKER_02:Forever. Yes, yes, that's good. There's nothing wrong with that. Yes. Was there um one particular personal experience or aha moment that you really said, okay, I realize that I'm gonna gear this towards more of a holistic path? Was there anything that really brought you there?
SPEAKER_01:I think it was just going in for the massage school interview.
SPEAKER_02:Really?
SPEAKER_01:And it was owned at that time by uh a gentleman named Vernon Smith, who is my mentor. He was a Shiyatsu practitioner in California in the 60s. Oh so his vision was to merge Western and Eastern theory into a massage school. That was his goal and his dream. So it was a simple interview with him about school, and he put me in a Shiatsu class that was ongoing, and I saw a video, watched a video with the class, and it was called The Mysteries of Qi. And Bill Moyer um did the documentary, and it was that I think that was the aha moment. I knew that you were drawn to that for sure. But it took a little while before my brain actually clicked over from Western theory to Eastern. That was difficult. Really? It was why do you think it was so difficult? Because it's not the same. The theory is completely different. Completely different, and uh it's more of an art.
SPEAKER_02:It is, it is, and that's hard to explain to people. You either get it or you don't, or you're gonna be able to do it. And it's hard to explain to a lot of different yeah. And how did your training or education through those um schools, how did it change your approach to healing its itself?
SPEAKER_01:Well, um, initially I didn't do well in massage therapy school in the energetic courses. I would get extremely overwhelmed. Um I would my breath would change, my I would get my body temperature would change. I I was just really sensitive just to doing energy work. And I had to actually find um a way to ground myself enough to be able to be around that much energy. Um so it I enjoyed that part of learning. I think um it was just trying to get comfortable in my own skin with another concept of medicine because I'm very Western minded. I love science, I love biology, especially with your background. Yes, and and so I really had to learn to use my right brain, which I didn't have much of. I'm not very creative. You had to get in tune with that part. I did, I did. So I ended up in um acupuncture school in Houston. Okay, that was my next question.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. How did those two things blend between your massage experience and your interest in acupuncture? Well, I had a head start.
SPEAKER_01:I think I was probably a year and a half ahead of most people in school.
SPEAKER_02:Really?
SPEAKER_01:Because all of Xi'atsu is steeped in Chinese medicine. So I didn't have to study. I'd go to class and take notes and take a test and Medina, and then about a year and a half in, we had to start learning about herbs, which I knew nothing about. So that became a really big challenge.
SPEAKER_02:And for those listening, uh could you explain in a brief explanation what Chinese medicine is? Some people may have heard of it, but what what would your uh definition be?
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so traditional Chinese medicine uh is about 2,500 years old. Um, of course, it's Asian, um, and it began basically with uh masters in what they in other masters in body work and masters in uh uh herbal medicine. Um it was their way, I mean it's a way of life. Tai Chi, qigong, um, it's all about channeling and focusing energy. Energy, right. So their concept is not about disease, but about an energetic imbalance and prevention. And prevention, definitely prevention. And uh it entails a lot of different things.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, I know, it's fascinating.
SPEAKER_01:I love reading about it, it's amazing, and you never learn.
SPEAKER_02:No, more that's what I'm saying. More people should look into it and learn about it. It would open your eyes, open your mind to other practices and something that may help you. So, in your view, what has been the biggest misconception that people have about acupuncture?
SPEAKER_01:Um, that one treatment is the cure, all right. I have to keep reminding this isn't magic, you know, it's it's a cumulative effect, just like chiropractic here. You continue until you can get to a point where the symptoms have decreased, and then you do a maintenance.
SPEAKER_02:Right. So everything's in alignment.
SPEAKER_01:It's all alignment, and I think people enjoy learning about it. I hope so.
SPEAKER_02:I think it's changing more people are questioning those answers, and they want to know what their options are and how they can approach things more holistically instead of, you know, chiropractors have been doing that for years, acupuncturists have been doing that for years, but for some reason, you know, these younger generations I think are questioning those answers. Well, maybe there's something else I can do, maybe there's another option. I don't need to just take a pill for this or that. Right. And what is which is wonderful because Lafayette is lucky to have you here. What uh how fortunate people are to have your services. So they need to hear about you, they know, they need to know how to find you. And you mentioned working very closely with the human body. Um what do you think the body is trying to tell us when we're in pain or out of alignment?
SPEAKER_01:I think uh most of the time people realize that they have to be a participant in their health. Right. And so they reach a point where they're like, oh, what I'm doing's not working. And and I really need to be proactive or participate, and I give my clients homework and good. I give them books to read.
SPEAKER_02:Oh good, you see, and it's about educating too. It's not just hey, I'm gonna do this and let's cross our fingers. There's an educational part behind it as well, especially self-care. Oh yes.
SPEAKER_01:Because it's I I often think of my I had a couple of an elderly couple in New Orleans who were my friends, and miss this gentleman, Mr. Vincent, was a barber. And all of the stories he's heard over his lifetime as a barber. And I realize now when people come in, they're not just there for physical care, but they're there for holistic care, so you can um, you know, be available to them in more than just that one way. Yeah, they need to speak their story.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, it it has an effect on everyone's overall health. For wellness.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, and I feel like that their ability to come in, sit down for 35, 40 minutes in a relaxing chair, in a recliner, listen to music. Right, right. Yeah, it makes such a big difference. It helps, it does.
SPEAKER_02:And what are some of the most common physical issues that you treat um at your clinic?
SPEAKER_01:Depending on the age of the client. Um I have a lot of females with anxiety, depression, um, infertility.
SPEAKER_02:Well, that was one of my questions.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, I like that. I like doing that kind of work. And um neuropathy, uh, back pain.
SPEAKER_02:A lot of diabetes uh patients or not really neuropathy.
SPEAKER_01:Well, they don't want they come in because they have diabetic neuropathy, but they don't realize I can help them with the diabetes too. Right. You know, it doesn't get them off of their medications, but sometimes patients can decrease their blood pressure medication dose or or their metformin or whatever else they're taking. So, and um, you know, because I like working with the doctor, I like when a patient comes in with a diagnosis because then I can associate what what I understand about the disease.
SPEAKER_02:Right, and it's bridging the gap between the western and the eastern. Yeah, it's gonna the only person that will benefit from those um bridges would be the patient, the client. And that's what we all need to be open to because not everything works the same for every person. So, can you describe the difference between a relaxation massage and a therapeutic medical massage?
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so the modality, more than likely. So Swedish massage is usually the relaxation, long strokes, uh not too much pressure, um, maybe some aromatherapy, um and deep tissue or neuromuscular therapy. There's so many modalities now. Um there's I mean, how what are your favorites? Um to receive or to give.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I guess to give.
SPEAKER_01:To give. I like problem-oriented. I don't like an hour-long session. If I'm doing table massage, now if it's shiatsu, it's on the floor, it's on a mat, a lot of stretching. That takes an hour and a half, so that takes a little bit more energy. Explain to the listeners what a shiyatsu is. Okay, so shiyatsu itself, uh it translation is finger pressure and it's acupressure, but it's along the meridians. So it's not just a session of touching random points or not random points, but only a selected amount of points. Right. Like we do with needles. We choose the points we place the needle. But shiatsu is working the entire channel, each meridian.
SPEAKER_02:Right, right. A lot of people don't know about it, so yeah. Um, I know they'll probably have questions for you, but um, what were you gonna say?
SPEAKER_01:Ashiyatsu is on a table, um, and the the practitioner uses their feet. Right. So you're not clothed, you're you're draped, but um, it's more deep tissue technique with the feet as opposed to, I just always thought it wasn't named correctly.
SPEAKER_02:Right. So when you explained that the definition of it, um that's I don't know what ashiatsu means.
SPEAKER_01:I don't I don't I don't know that translation.
SPEAKER_02:We need to Google it. We're gonna find out after this. Yes. And you you mentioned self-care. What's one small self-care practice that you wish everyone would do between sessions with you? You said you like to give your clients homework. What is something related more towards self-care? I would like for all my patients to walk. How easy is that?
SPEAKER_01:It's you'd think more people would do it, right? Yeah, it's not a big request and it's not um a cardiovascular, it's just a walk, and there's a meditation walk. Uh you could do walking qigong, which is just a distance, you know, and a daily dose of sunshine comes along with it. Morning or afternoon, or that would be my request, but you know, not everybody can do that. I know. So even just maybe outside in nature.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I know we take it for granted. You know, of course everyone can go for a walk, but that might not always be the case, unfortunately. Um, mentally or physically, there may be restrictions there. So, and how would you explain acupuncture to someone who has never tried it and are very hesitant and are hearing us talk about all these different things, and they're like, whoa, I have never heard of this. Explain this way. How would you explain acupuncture?
SPEAKER_01:Well, the biggest question is, is it gonna hurt? Of course. But um, so I just when they come in, we do an assessment, and they're not very used to me looking at their tongue or feeling their pulse, or you know, so I have to explain as I go that um there's there's ten questions we ask about the conditions of the body and habits, emotions. Good, yes, um temperature, body temperature, and then from that we choose points that are most conducive to those symptoms. Um so I just I I tell them that just like the nervous system runs through the body, these energetic channels do the same, often in the same pathway, and there's specific points on there that can manipulate that energy. So if there's too much energy, we can reduce it. If it's not enough energy, we can build it up and tonify it. So I you know, they come in and they're like, I don't want to stand a word you're saying. And um, and I just keep telling them, you know, if you trust me, you know, I can walk you through the process.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, it's a lot about trust because you know, um, we work very closely with the human body. And some people that just intimidates them when they walk in the door. Um so you know, you have to build that trust. Yeah. And are there any certain conditions or symptoms that respond to acupuncture particularly well, or uh others that may not respond to um acupuncture so well that you sometimes have to work on it?
SPEAKER_01:Um I think digestive issues um work well with acupuncture. Yes. Um, and a lot of times we in I introduce herbs, you know, because I don't have to continue to treat you with needles if herbs work better for you. Right. And they're not long-term herbs, so you take them until your symptoms go away. And you know, it's not like a goal, right? Yeah, right. So I think what acupuncture really works well for is chronic disease that Western medicine has only found a way to um deter the symptoms. Right. So I I often say that, you know, people say, Well, do you treat yourself? I'm like, yeah, but you know, if I'm bleeding to death, I'm going to the emergency room. I'm not gonna sit around and put needles in my sets. There's some common sense to it, but acute and trauma, you know, Western medicine areas, yes. Right. And then chronic things like high blood pressure, um, diabetes, gastritis, um, long-term depression.
SPEAKER_02:So that's what you think very uh that responds well.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:And what does a typical session look like for you and feel like to someone that's all new to it? How does that first session feel in case someone listening is willing to go and check it out?
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so like I tell them the first session's always the the mer the most nerve-wracking because you don't know what to expect. The unknown, sure. Right. So I just try to make them feel comfortable in my office before, ask them questions, kind of get to know them. And I'll do assessments over the phone. You know, if they have questions, I'll do that over the phone. Yeah, they don't even have to come in. Great, you know, because sometimes it's just the fear of needles.
SPEAKER_02:Intimidating, yes. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:So my office is set up where there's six recliners, and they're kind of petitioned off with room dividers. So everybody has their own little piece of privacy. Um, they take their shoes and their socks off and their jewelry, um, their pant legs have to come above their knees, and their sleeves have to be above their elbows. Because I use points from the elbows to the fingers, um, ears, scalp. Um also do uh facial acupuncture or facelift acupuncture. So sometimes the face. So they're comfortable in the chair, you know. I'm I'm like from me to you from them because my office is right, the door's right there. So I always tell them if you need some, just say my name.
SPEAKER_03:Hello. I'll be here.
SPEAKER_01:Some of them send me a text. Oh they're in the back. Hey, I have to go. Oh, you know, okay. So um it's it's quite interesting how they just kind of sit there and and realize, oh, wait, this is the treatment, you know, this is what's happening. And some go to sleep, some snore, some play on their phone, some take pictures of their feet, and you know just like everything else, they respond differently. Yeah, and I just let that be. But it's sometimes it's just there's I have one patient who's been with me, I don't know, since I opened in the oil center, maybe five, four, four, five years. I go in there, her eyes are wide open. And I'm thinking, okay, maybe I'm not using the right needles. Is that an energetic to help her relax? No, she's she likes, she's I don't think she relaxes like the rest of so I just have to l let it be that way. I mean, that's her process.
SPEAKER_02:Right, right, exactly. Well, that's interesting.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Um, and okay, we talked about if infertility, we just talk touched on it. How can you share with us something about infertility and acupuncture? And if someone is uh struggling possibly with infertility, what would that type of session look like with you?
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so um I have different kinds of fertility patients. Some have not tried any Western fertility measures, they've just not gotten pregnant, and then I have some who are um receiving treatment, medical treatment. They do um IUI or IVF. Um and then it's important for me to know which physician they're using, so I know which kind of format or plan they're on. Um and so we do this. We I think the primary goal for fertility is to make sure they have a a regular menstrual cycle for three months in a row. So I always ask, don't wait till it's time for you know implantation or retrieval of your eggs. Come in three months before all of that so we can try to regulate and and and acupuncture is really amazing how it can balance the hormones because I always imagine how stressful. You know, all the process of fertility is so stressful. Injections, mental, physical, and disappointment. I think that's the hardest part. So it's really um, and just recently I had a baby shower to go to, and she was one of my fertility patients. I I just I couldn't help her. I didn't, I I don't think she had the right medical diagnosis. Okay, and and there was something a doctor could have been doing also. So she had a small surgery and got pregnant.
SPEAKER_02:Oh gosh, how rewarding. I know and building those relationships too, yeah with your patients. Yeah. I was so happy for her. Gosh, that makes it all worthwhile. It does. Um and how could people become more in tune to their body signals before it possibly escalates into pain? Of course, I could ask the same question. Right. People just um they don't, in my opinion, work on preventative wellness first.
SPEAKER_01:Right.
SPEAKER_02:Um, but what do you see in your practice?
SPEAKER_01:I think mood has a lot to do with people's health.
SPEAKER_02:That's a good point.
SPEAKER_01:And where they are, you know, in their life process of, you know, are they grieving? You know, things life is one big grief process. And if you don't learn how to grieve well, right, it it's then you just you can't get you you know it's it's normal.
SPEAKER_02:It is. Uh it's true, and we need to normalize it and learn to take those steps, whichever steps those are, and they're all different for each person uh to learn how to deal with those challenges that life throws at us.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and we and we get stuck. We all do. You know, if we don't expect that everything's gonna be changed at any given time, in other words, that's the only guarantee in life is if it's good now, it's not gonna be later, and vice versa.
SPEAKER_03:I love that.
SPEAKER_01:So I think the mood or the attitude we take towards life and all that happens to us, um, the grief can get us to the a good grieving process can get us to the other side. And a lot of people don't, I don't, I don't know. I had to learn that young.
SPEAKER_02:Yes. Um, you're making me think about um a conversation I had with my mother um years ago. I was starting my business, and of course, there's struggles starting a business and life in general. And I said, Well, you know, this happened this day, and then this happened on this day. Two days later, this happened. She said, Michelle, when you realize that there's always going to be a problem, every day, every other day, maybe you'll have a few weeks without a problem, there's going to be a problem. Learn how to cope with it and move on. So right, and I thought, wow, that was such a revelation for me. Instead of myself worrying and stressing out about everything. I love how you put that. Grief. It is a form of grief because you're just you're trying to figure out where to put that nervous energy and and and deal with it.
SPEAKER_01:And I think too, through aging, when patients come in, they're like, man, you know, I used to walk two miles a day. Now I can't, you know, and I'm like, you know, I'm I'm not at that point yet, but I'm getting there, and and I can only imagine what it's gonna be like when I can't mow my own grass. Right, and see that's and how I'm gonna feel about that. That's mental. Yeah. So I think our kind of embracing that part. Sure. Like, oh, you hear your feet burn on it, you know, neuropathy. And I think I use a lot of humor. You have to, you know, because and especially with Cajun people, they have great senses of humor. Yes. So, you know, they come in and tell me jokes, and oh, my wife said I need to do this with my feet, and and and I don't I don't bring them to that point of, you know, this may never get better. I never say that because I don't know. It's outlook, it's a positive outlook. Yes, and if if it doesn't get better, that person's gonna learn to deal with it, I'm sure.
SPEAKER_02:And do you incorporate personally any mindfulness or any breathing techniques um either during your treatments or personally? What effect do you think breathing has on those patients that have anxiety or other health issues?
SPEAKER_01:I pay attention to breath. Um it shows a lot about the level of stress that people are in. So people that breathe heavy sighs or even hiccups is another cue for me. And these are kind of um, I'll call it what it is, it's considered constrained liver chi. Even though your liver, physical liver is fine, your energetic liver is affected by stress. So um I watch breath, of course, and I notice for me, especially body work, if my breath changes, that's a place I need to maybe pay a little bit more attention to.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Because sometimes I'll get to where I feel like I can't breathe. Like my breath has to be so deep in order to get through.
SPEAKER_02:It has an effect on what you do.
SPEAKER_01:It's all it's energetic. And and I don't think there's a lot of attention paid to uh what people are going through. But you, I mean, after so many years of being with energy, I could just feel it from a corner. Right. And and I try not to judge it. Right. Because sometimes I'm gonna say, God, they sound angry, you know. And feel it. Yeah, I don't I don't want to do that, but sometimes it just happens. Yeah. So yeah, I do try to get them to breathe through because sometimes they feel pain.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And I'll say, take a deep breath before I put the needle in. And before they can blow it out, I'll I'll press the needle in. And I think they were expecting me not to do it until they exhaled. So I kind of threw them off to where they didn't know when I was gonna put the needle.
SPEAKER_02:Right. Well, that's uh I try to adjust it to who it is with their response to different personalities, but it it makes me think about um my treatment with chiropractic care and adjust breath. People, when they're in pain, especially, they hold their breath. Or when they're anticipating that adjustment, they'll hold their breath. And I always tell them it's it's more um important for you to concentrate on your breathing, but also just listen and you can feel, and again, after doing this for 25 years, right? You know, and you can feel that energy as well. So I just always always thought there was probably some correlation there.
unknown:Yes.
SPEAKER_02:And how do you see your work contributing to the overall wellness of our community? Do you get out into the community or have you seen acupuncture grow in the Lafayette community in the past years or not?
SPEAKER_01:See, I I know several acupuncturists in the city, and um I think the first one I met was uh John Abair. He was kind of like the you know, the pioneer of that, and he really inspired me. And and you know, and through the process of referrals, you know, I refer patients out to other acupuncturists. We have a five element um acupuncturist here in Lafayette. Um, it's it's not the same as traditional Chinese medicine, it's it focused a lot on emotions and how they affect the body. It's it's a fabulous art, too. Um I I don't understand it anymore. I mean, I studied some of that. But not in acupuncture school. So we were friends in Shiyatsu and then went to two different theory schools. Okay. But I do notice that people ask more about it. Ask questions about it. You know, what should I do? And and of course, where I work, there's like 12 massage therapists in the building. Oh, good. So there's a lot of referring out, or you know. Um, I like I like networking. Yes, and I like community work, you know. Yes. Um I think where I the building I'm in is really conducive to that. Well, that helps. And tell our listeners, where are you located? I'm at 1018 Harding Street, which is called the Harding Center. It's an old oil building from the 80s. Yeah, it was a Unical building. Yes. Yeah, suite 205G. And it's in the corner of Audubon Boulevard and Harding Street.
SPEAKER_02:Okay. Well, everybody knows where to find you now. That's wonderful. And what do you find that you over the years you've grown to love about helping people feel better? And how has your own view of health evolved over the years? Because you mentioned, you know, you started off in psychology and sociology. That's it really does. I know people listening may not know, but that really must have shaped your foundation for what you do now.
SPEAKER_01:It did. And I think it had more to do with sitting across from someone and you know, they're sad, they're crying. And you know, the ethics of social work is you don't touch your clients. I mean, you shake their hands, so important, maybe put a hand on their back, but you don't hug them. You know, I got to a point where I would walk my clients out into the lobby, like when I'm saying goodbye, like I'm not gonna see them again.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And I would hug them in the lobby where there was people around, you know, to where there was no question about, you know, why did she hug you? So after a while, it just it was just so, I don't know, like I felt like I couldn't do what I wanted to do or what I was capable of doing for people. And it didn't really change because most of the people on my massage tables out of massage school needed a therapist. Right. You know, and all my patients in acupuncture clinic, they sent me all the patients' uh mental health issues to finally I said, Look, guys, don't just give me the mental health patients. Oh, but you're so good with them. I was like, I understand you think I am, but I'm trying to get away from that to where I can work with other people, you know. But you know, when you pull to I know I'm still pulled to that.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, that's it sounds like that's a part of your calling. I don't think it's ever gonna go away. Yeah, but that's a gift. And what do you find is one myth about acupuncture that you wish you could clear up here and now on posture and purpose once and for all? What is the one misconception?
SPEAKER_01:I think number one, that it's painful. Um, number two, that it's you know, not really medicine. You know, it's only because we don't know, you know, it's we don't understand it. Right. Um, but I think if people took the time to just read about it.
SPEAKER_02:Educate yourself.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, in simple terms, too. Because when they explained it to me, they made it so simple that I it's like I couldn't not understand it. I'm like, well, that makes sense.
SPEAKER_02:And it's not like this was made up about, you know, 20, 30 years ago. This has been around for thousands of years. Correct. And that tells you something right there.
SPEAKER_01:And still so. I mean, this is a way of life in China.
SPEAKER_02:Very relevant.
SPEAKER_01:And and other Asian countries have their own medicine also, but they they utilize um energy work like Tai Chi and Qigong. They use body work. And if I'm not mistaken, the Chinese bod was on adjustments. Like thousands of years ago, like chiropractic care might have come from that.
SPEAKER_02:Right.
SPEAKER_01:And then um food therapy, where we change the food around. It's not a diet, it's a it's uh using food as therapy. And look at the statistics.
SPEAKER_02:Look how healthy, look at the longevity that they have in those countries. Correct.
SPEAKER_01:So that you know, there's something there, and then needles, that's the fourth option. They use all those other things first. Needles, and then what they call internal medicine is the formulas, herbal formulas or herbs. So it's from least invasive to most right.
SPEAKER_02:Whereas Western Yeah, right away. Right away, yes.
SPEAKER_01:And I I I don't ever speak bad about that because Oh no, thank God we have it. Yes, and I tell my clients, I mean, you're not gonna get rid of your UTI with cranberry juice. Right. That worries me that that's gonna go to your kidney. Exactly. Oh, so what am I gonna do? I was gonna go to your doctor, right?
SPEAKER_02:Right. It's okay. We can work together. But you need it at times. Thank goodness we have it when we do need it. So definitely. And um, speaking of keeping it simple, if you could give the listeners today one simple practical tip to support their health and wellness today, what would it be? I know you said you tell your clients to walk, but is there something else that you would really say this is our takeaway today?
SPEAKER_01:I I I'm so big on being outside. Yeah, it's it's a part of and away from technology. Um because I I find lack of presence, you know, uh is not is there's no exchange for that. Fresh air, sunshine, and being present with someone else, you know, good support system, utilizing people, right? Um don't allow yourself to be alone.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, reach out.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, uh build your tribe, find your tribe. Um and and I think uh if we if we're open to that process, because a lot of us come from so many different backgrounds that we don't even know. You know, I have a friend, she always says, always be kind to people because you never know what they're going through. If we always kept that in mind.
SPEAKER_02:Every day.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, the lady of the red light that's like not taking off fast enough. You know, I've had to practice this all my life. I'm not patient. Oh, yeah. And and so as I've learned, you know, uh through moderation and through time and patience and paying attention and being present, um, it kind of gets rid of all the busyness of life. Right.
SPEAKER_02:And we all have to practice that every day.
SPEAKER_01:I agree, I agree.
SPEAKER_02:So, my last question of the day, and I love this question because um I think it is a reflection of you know how people uh present themselves uh through life. So, how do you maintain your posture while pursuing your purpose in life? That's a great question.
SPEAKER_01:Um I I think I take most of my uh knowledge about being present from I had a wonderful stepfather, and um he always uh had me uh address things head on. In other words, if you can identify the problem, then you can find the solution. So I'm not one to avoid, you know. Um that's a gift. This is, you know, I'm a good troubleshooter also. So I think, you know, my posture in life is to maybe focus on what I want to change, what I want to do, um, and be that support system for other people. I'm very strong-willed. And um, if I want something, I'm gonna, it doesn't matter what else is going on, and it's not really a um a self-centeredness as much as it's okay, if I do this, then I can do that. Determination. Right, and if I could do this for myself, then I can spread that. And I love to teach. You know, I still teach CEU classes for massage therapists. Oh great. So um I think uh the way my my posture is in life is that okay, it has to be done, no nonsense, let's get it done. Let's turn on, move on, yeah, go to something else. And I I don't know. I just feel motivated by that in life. That that that really um that little quiet girl out that I was when I was young, um, that my mom said, Oh, gosh, you had an attitude. I took that and used that for something good.
SPEAKER_02:For strength.
SPEAKER_01:Yep.
SPEAKER_02:That's good.
SPEAKER_01:So I think that's where I am with my purpose, so to speak, is um, you know, let's get this done.
SPEAKER_02:Yes. Oh, I love that. That's a great note to end on. Let's just get this done. I love it. Well, thank you so much for being here. You're welcome. I have enjoyed this so much and enjoyed getting to know you for sure. So thank you. I appreciate you inviting me. Thank you. And until next time, sit up straight, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay adjusted.
SPEAKER_00:Thanks for listening to the Posture and Purpose Podcast with Dr. Michelle Car Frank. Make sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time.