Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Prior.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story started at a young age – I was sick right out of the gate as a kid, and as was the style of the time, parents & pediatricians often repeatedly threw antibiotics at illnesses instead of looking for what the deeper cause may be, or gently supporting the immune system, unknowing what the long term results may be. As we all know today, antibiotics disrupt and change (short term & long term) the gut microbiome (and it’s connection to the brain) and can lead to microbial overgrowths, immune system & inflammatory imbalances over time, creating a sick adult. I spent a lot of time as a teenager at the library and natural health stores picking naturopath’s and homeopath’s brains, reading books and diving into healing concepts, nutritional healing and herbal formulas to improve my system, and after years of experimenting and reading everything under the sun, things finally got better!
I was passionate about healing and wellness, and I was working in the Western medical field at the time, as a research coordinator for the Department of Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic – this was great because I got to take as many Western medical classes as I liked and still maintain my position, so I felt like I was learning a lot, but it might not be exactly what I was going to focus on.
Insert one-car accident, and things took a major turn. At the ER the doctors wanted to do experimental surgery to fix (and see) what was wrong with my spine. I was able to get out of the hospital without surgery, and I called an acupuncturist who I had met at a macrobiotic dinner party through some martial arts friends. Turns out the acupuncturist lived right down the street from me – perfect! So I walked down the street, very slowly, and learned about the strange and amazing world of Eastern Medicine. After some treatments with acupuncture and herbs, not only did my pain go down (and I was able to get off medications and function again) but other seemingly unrelated things started to happen – my acne cleared up, a benign tumor disappeared and my energy improved after being tired my whole life. I had never felt better. I was so grateful. And I was hooked! I had to expand my interest in medicine, health, and healing to include Eastern Medicine and acupuncture. After looking into the process of training, I ran into my Grandfather’s medical partner at the same macrobiotic dinner party several months later, of all places. We were shocked to find out who each other was! He told me his story of healing his prostate cancer with nutritional changes and with the help of Eastern Medicine and told me it was the future of medicine, especially for chronic, inflammatory illnesses. With my Grandfather’s best friend’s blessing, I was off to California.
After a four year Masters Degree and a two-year Doctorate, the basic training was complete. I’ve been practicing in LA for over 15 years now and can say it’s not only saved my life, but I’m so happy to be working with others to recalibrate, educate and heal what can be so painful, mysterious and seemingly un-healable. Holistic, integrative approaches are here to stay, and it’s great to see how Western and Easter Medical Doctors are coming together to find answers and shift illness in a healthier and safer way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road, as the road can become challenging – healing the self, healing others, and the process of questioning everything to get to the truth about an illness or health challenge can be very intense – but very rewarding once there is a discovery or a shift. Sometimes things happen very quickly and smoothly, and other cases take longer and can be more difficult – it is such a personal journey.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hermosa Acupuncture – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have a holistic medical practice, Hermosa Acupuncture, in Hermosa Beach, California. I use acupuncture, Eastern Medicine, herbal medicine, nutritional approaches, Western Medicine, working with MD’s and lab results, etc., and other tools (mindfulness exercises, lifestyle changes, etc.) to get to the bottom of issues, whether it’s a seemingly straight forward injury or pain related case, or a much more complex case where a patient has not been able to figure out what has been going on – diagnostics and resources for getting the best and most appropriate treatment is a huge part of my practice.
After seeing an increasing number of infertility cases, I went back for Doctorate specializing in Integrative Reproductive Medicine. I was able to work in fertility clinics around LA alongside doctors to see how Western Medicine used medication, IUI’s, IVF and at the time, ZIFT procedures, to help couples get pregnant, and it was an immersive learning experience. Being able to support women and couples who are trying to conceive, with both Western and Eastern, natural, holistic approaches, whether they chose to do it 100% naturally or with the help of Western medical intervention, was one of the first areas I was seeing integration of Western and Eastern medicine in California. This integration lends itself to a more a comprehensive and intuitive approach, and open communication among the health care team of the patient, which is something I think we are all proud of.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There are some great new technologies being created on the front of treatment in holistic medicine in Europe that I’m keeping my eye on. Laser is one approach that may prove successful in enhancing fertility and egg quality. Also, there is a possibility of expanding to create an herbal line for common illnesses as well as a fertility line with organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1601 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - Website: www.hermosa-acupuncture.com
- Phone: 310-930-5328
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @drvirginiaprior
- Facebook: Virginia Prior, DAOM, L.Ac.
- Twitter: @DrVirginiaPrior
- Yelp: Virginia Prior, DAOM LAC
Image Credit:
Mila Moraga-Holz
Getting in touch: VoyageLA 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.
