Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Petyak-ryan
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?
I was born in LA and grew up in Scottsdale, Az in the 80’s. It was a time of loose parenting to say the least. Both my parents were alcoholics, very different in their presentations. I can say now that they did the absolute best they were capable of at the time. With both of them passed now, and plenty of therapy and self reflection, I am at a point in my life now being blessed with 2 amazing kids and doing what I love every day that I am actually grateful for every moment of the madness. I can honestly say every challenge I met with as a kid has brought me to where I am today. There is a resilience along with a deep sense of empathy and compassion that comes with coming out the other side of childhood trauma. If one can tap into these qualities and turn them into something good, then I believe we have a responsibility to share it with our struggling world. This is what I have chosen to do.
I moved to Hawaii after graduating college to persue a PhD is creative writing. I was riding a scooter home from the beach one day and a truck hit me. I was not wearing a helmet. The damage to my head required over 18 plates of titanium to put me back together. This event changed my life forever. In my journey towards healing from this I had my first acupuncture experience. It was as if the floodgates had opened and I experienced a clarity I had never known before. This was what I was put here to do., to help others, and acupuncture was my jumping board.
30 years later after attaining a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, and running a private practice that specializes in mitigating the fight or flight response through non-verbal therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, breathing techniques and tough love, I am happy to say I have been able to touch thousands of peoples lives in the hopes of having them feel heard, seen and inspired. The countless hours I have spent on healing the first 1/4 of my life has paid off in a rich array of experience I can share with whomever comes to see me for help. Fertility and hormonal balancing are my specialties, and I have had the honor of assisting my patients for over 2 decades achieve their dream of having babies and easing through hormonal imbalances from adolescent issues to menopause through education, acupuncture, herbs and a knowledge that only comes with time, experience and trauma.
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?
Great question. Where to start? I feel that no road that is truly rewarding comes smoothly or without challenges, for challenge is essential for growth. Struggling as a teen to educate myself, keep myself safe and advocate for myself was rough, but it gave me a desire to succeed and a grit I am proud of. Surrounding myself with strong role models, mentors and chosen family members was transformational for me in the early 90’s, giving me the support I needed as a young woman on her own at the age of 16. It was then I decided I wanted to be a part of changing the lives of women in any way I could through education and advocacy.
Once I finished my Masters Degree and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, I moved to NYC for work. I feel the need to share that I watched the 2 towers falling on 9/11 live from the Brooklyn promenade. Experiencing it in person that horrific day, in the air and space and smell and taste of it was surreal. Being an actual witness to the death and pain and tragedy of so many is inexplainable. It reminds me of how resilient we are as humans. We haven’t even begun to tap into our potential, and my goal is to keep searching for new and innovative ways to unlock the vast power of the mind, or in the least share with others how to find some peace there.
The accident I was in created immense struggle which I still manage to this day. Chronic pain is not just physical, but mentally and emotionally draining as well. Having the skills and knowledge to help others optimize both physical and emotional pain has been incredibly rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I have been practicing acupuncture for the past 24 years in Camarillo, California. My practice includes Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology and virtual consultations and has a heavy specialty in fertility and hormonal balancing for both teens, perimenopause and menopause. I also work with pain management which acupuncture excels in. I look forward to the day it is more integrated into our health care system.
I have specialty training in Chinese herbs specifically in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology. The Chinese herbs are incredibly effective at naturally balancing issues regarding hormones, cycle regulation etc.
I’d have to say I am known for my very straightforward, humorous but loving approach, my 24 years of education and clinical experience and collaboration with Western reproductive endocrinologists and ob/gyn’s that I bring to the table and my strong desire to help others.
I’m most proud of all of the people that I have been able to touch personally, and improve their lives in anyway. Whether it’s babies being born or more peace of mind, this is why I continue to love what I do..
I would like readers to know that I am available for virtual consults outside of acupuncture regarding fertility, hormonal, balancing, stress management and any type of help one might need in literally just managing life and the struggles that come with it.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
As I spoke of earlier, I believe the compassion, empathy and intuition that I bring to the table as a result of having to experience severe childhood trauma has been essential to my success working with people. Connection and trust is imperative when someone is needing to create a safe space for healing and directly relevant in achieving results.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jpracu.com
- Instagram: @jpracu
- Facebook: Julie Petyak-Ryan Acupuncture
Image Credits
Amy Buller, Infinite Swell Photography
