Community Highlights: Meet Debbie Kung of Kung Acupuncture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Kung.

Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My path to becoming a Chinese Medicine Doctor wasn’t the easiest or the most linear. I actually was an art major undergrad studying graphic design. That led me to New York City, where I worked in the Fashion Industry doing marketing and web design. I had worked at top fashion houses, but the glam, excitement, and culture weren’t appealing to me anymore. After a few years in the fashion industry, I wanted to do more with helping others. At the same time, I was feeling stressed about work. Someone recommended trying acupuncture to relieve stress, and after my first session, I was a believer. I left the industry and NYC for Austin and enrolled in their Traditional Chinese Medicine School there.

Shortly after I graduated and was working, I fell ill with cancer. I’ve been in remission for four years now. My recovery had been optimal, and I felt like I have a second chance at life. A while later, I moved to NYC to open a Chinese Medicine practice and after Covid hit the city hard, I felt the calling to come back to the city that welcomed me with open arms: Austin. I consider Austin my home now and have a practice in downtown Austin. I know if Chinese Medicine can help me, it can help others. And I’m here to practice and spread the healing gospel of it.

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?
I’ve definitely had my challenging moments, but I also expected some uncomfortable-ness for me to learn, grow, and overcome. Life isn’t linear, and healing isn’t linear. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it.

We’ve been impressed with Kung Acupuncture, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My passion and compassion stem from being able to help others. Kung Acupuncture’s motto is to prevent, treat, and educate. PREVENT Chinese Medicine has traditionally been seen as preventative medicine. In fact, it was quite common for people to see their Acupuncturist the season before (autumn) so they wouldn’t get sick come Winter. TREAT The human body is incredibly intelligent and a self-healing machine. Knowing how to diagnose the patient not only on a physical level but a mental, spiritual, and energetic level can expedite the healing process. For example, say you come to see me because you suffer from migraines, I don’t just treat your migraine, but I also address the rest of your body. What if the migraine was an indication of something else going on in your body? EDUCATE When I first received acupuncture, I had no idea what was going on. If you stick a needle in my foot, why does my stress go away…? Most of us want to understand how our bodies work. So we can take care of ourselves and each other better. I love educating my patients. Sharing TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) facts, advising them on lifestyle changes, and teaching them signs to look for when the body is imbalanced is all in a day’s work. I want anyone who I treat to walk out, understanding their ailments and bodies better. I practice all TCM modalities (acupuncture, cupping, herbs, guasha, etc.) I specialize in cosmetic acupuncture (facial rejuvenation), facial guasha, women’s health/fertility and stress management.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in the south- in Virginia Beach, VA. It was an awesome place to grow up. We were right by the water, the music scene was blossoming (The Neptunes, Missy Elliot Brian McKnight, Blackstreet, Chris Brown, etc., all called VB their home), and it felt like anything was possible. I was a hyperactive child. I loved running around, playing sports, basically anything physically active. I played field hockey for five years and our high school team won the Virginia State Championship my senior year. I was also creative- I enjoyed painting and won several art scholarships (high school and college) for painting. And like most first-generation immigrant Asian kids, I was forced to learn a musical instrument: the violin. I had such a love-hate relationship with my fiddle, but at the end of the day, I saw how music sharpened my skills to pay attention to both the details and nuances in life. My childhood growing up there shaped how I saw the world. My parents were strict. And like the stereotypical middle child, I rebelled, but looking back, I’m happy they reinforced certain things such as morals, values and treating others with decency and kindness. That’s what being a human is all about.

Contact Info:

• Email: debbie@kungacu.com
• Website: www.kungacu.com
• Instagram: @Kung_acu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KungAcu/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kung-acupuncture-austin-2