Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Monroe.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After completing a Psychology/Pre-Med curriculum at Loyola University Chicago, I worked as a Research Technologist at the University of Chicago in the Departments of Drug Abuse Research and Anesthesiology/Critical Care while conducting collaborative research with the Departments of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
While working at U of C — and dancing with the school’s dance company — I had several unsuccessful operations on a knee injury, I found amazing rehabilitative results from yoga, Pilates, and acupuncture, and began to study all of the modalities intensively. As I healed myself, many people came to me for advice on healing their injuries, and so began my teaching career. Eventually, I moved to LA in 1995 to further my education.
In 1996, I started my own Pilates studio where I also taught yoga. Because of my background, I attracted many patients who dealt with chronic, seemingly treatment-resistant, injuries and chronic pain syndromes. I continued to run that business while attending acupuncture school. Among other groups and individuals, I taught Pilates and yoga to the staff of Children’s Hospital (LA).
I have also completed several post-graduate training programs, including programs for the treatment of acute and chronic pain such as The Balance Method by Dr. Richard Tan, which utilizes points away from the injured area to help reduce inflammation and encourage muscle relaxation via distal reflex connections. In 2007, I earned my Ph.D. and in 2008, I completed an intensive one-year Advanced Acupuncture Orthopedics course, becoming one of the first professionals to become a Board-certified Acupuncture Orthopedic Specialist. Additionally, I have studied advanced herbal prescription construction and have completed multiple training programs in the treatment of women’s health issues, including fertility, reproductive health, and peri/menopause. Most recently, I took classes to add micro-needling services to my practice, enabling me to help people with scarring, hair loss, aging skin, acne-prone skin, and hyperpigmentation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Well, sometimes! I would say some of my biggest challenges running a business include balancing that role with being a mother. I think many moms can relate: it is easy to start feeling like I am not doing enough at home when I’m at work and vice versa. Then in 2013, my youngest daughter Alice died in her sleep of unknown causes (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, or SUDC). Obviously, that ripped my world apart and I was afraid I would not be able to treat patients with the same sensitivity. Instead, I found an even deeper level of connection to my patients, and to my work in general. I was asked to teach acupuncture/herbal medicine Continuing Education Classes for a large company on the topics of grief and PTSD. That was extremely rewarding. I still receive letters from students who take that class (still available in the digital archives) saying how much my classes helped them help their patients. Knowing I can help people help other people in my daughter’s memory means everything to me.
I also wrote a book, “Mom’s Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss about how I put myself back together after Alice died. The book won several awards, which helped get the word out so the book could find those who needed it. The book is NOT strictly for people who have lost children! All of us eventually must face our mortality — and our loved ones — and there just aren’t enough frank conversations about the deep sense of dread and unease many of us experience when faced with our mortality. I wanted to share my experience because I wanted to validate the profound difficulties associated with a great loss, while also offering hope that we can still live a meaningful life.
Lastly, running a business through the pandemic, the strikes, and the fires has not been easy for my business, or anyone business. Like most small businesses, I am hoping for a patch of smooth road in the very near future!
As you know, we’re big fans of Eastside Family Acupuncture. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I have two locations: one on Hillhurst Ave. in Los Feliz, and another at Live Well Chiropractic and Pilates Center in Mid-City. I started working with Dr. Gloin and his staff at Live Well in May and am thrilled to be there. He’s a fantastic practitioner and collaborator. It’s great to be in a place where patients have access to chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, massage and stretch therapy, as well as Pilates.
I have also trained and worked with Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB). They provide free community acupuncture to first responders and community members affected by mass tragedy. I worked at the Rose Bowl treating firefighters and National Guard soldiers after the horrific LA fires last January. It was incredibly rewarding to be able to help the helpers, many of whom were experiencing their first acupuncture session of any kind. They were grateful for our help, and we were beyond grateful for all they did for our community. AWB has continued to set up clinics in the Greater LA area all year.
My specialties are pain and neuromuscular re-education, women’s health (fertility, labor induction, pregnancy-related issues, PMS, peri/menopause), and issues like anxiety, insomnia, depression. I’m also seeing many more patients for neurological conditions such as stroke recovery, nerve damage, Bell’s Palsy, tremors, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathy, etc.
I joke that most people “come in for their physical pain, but come back to treat their emotional pain,” but it’s true. Most people do not understand how closely tied their physical and emotional problems are. I love helping people learn that their physical and mental health are entwined, and help them learn strategies for (1) healing and (2) remaining healthy. In no way am I suggesting that physical pain is “all in your head.” Not so! But chronic physical pain will cause certain types of mental stress and vice versa, because everything is connected. Some folks don’t want to address the feelings associated with their back/neck/etc. pain. And that’s fine. I don’t force them. BUT, nearly every pain patient will come in for their next treatment saying things like, “I feel less pain, and I actually slept better/feel more relaxed.” One gal said to me, “I don’t know what kind of witchcraft you are doing but my neck feels better AND I feel so much less stabby!”
It is extremely important to me that I educate my patients about their ailments and provide them tools — I call it homework– to help them remain healthy. Do they always comply? Nope. But when they do, they are often shocked how relatively quickly they were able to improve. With every treatment, I provide the tools — and encouragement –for them to take control of their own health so they require less medical intervention down the road.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Carolyn Myss’s Essential Guide for Healers really helped me learn to continue working in healthcare without burning out.
I listen to brain entrainment music by Steven Halpern to keep myself in a calm, flow state. I also play it in the office for my patients using different frequencies for different patients depending on how they present that day.
Honestly, I regularly listen or watch stand-up comics to keep myself laughing at life’s absurdities, because hoo-boy has it been a wild ride the last few years.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s guided meditations have helped me tremendously. His book “Anger” is a must-read. If I had the power to make every person read a book, it would be “Anger.” We need it now, more than ever.
On the more “woo-woo” side of things, I love the Kuan Yin Oracle Deck” by Alana Fairchild. They are GORGEOUS. I draw one most days. These aren’t meant to predict your future. I find the cards are more about reminding us of universal truths and helping us find the serenity to accept things as they come.
On the less woo-woo side of things, I love baseball (GO DODGERS!) I love studying the game, the analysis, the bio-mechanics, the deals that create the team, all of it. I listen to allll the podcasts. I call it “going into baseball la-la-land.” My loved ones know that if I say I’m in baseball la-la-land, I don’t want to hear any negative news unless there is something I can do about it. Is there something actionable? No? Then I will read this awful news story when the highlights end. It doesn’t have to be baseball — it can be anything — but allowing yourself a few hours a week to engage in something you enjoy helps establish healthy boundaries and prioritizes our overall well-being. Find something you love, engage with it, and protect your time spent doing said activity.
Lastly, journaling. On paper. With a pen or pencil. The benefits of handwriting your thoughts and feelings are immense and cannot be duplicated by any other means, IMHO. Get those thoughts and feelings out in your own handwriting. Burn it afterwards if you want, it doesn’t matter. And if you can take your scribbles and turn them into art of any kind afterwards, you will become an unstoppable force for good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melissamariemonroe.com/eastside-family-acupuncture/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissammonroe/?hl=en
- Other: https://eastsidefamilyacupuncture.janeapp.com/account
