Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Earley.
Lori, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It may surprise most people that Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine found me; I did not go out searching for it. My journey as a “healer” began in the more traditional sense, whereas I went to college to major in Pre-Med and go on to traditional medical school. However, as I began my studies in Biology, my interest in research became my truest passion at that time. So, instead of heading off to medical school after college graduation, I enrolled in a Graduate Program, where I studied Mycology (the study of fungi) and Scanning Electron Microscopy.
While it may not sound so intriguing, exploring the microscopic world of fungi’s calcium oxalate crystals in 3D was a beautiful synthesis of science and artistic expression, which set the stage for how I would later approach my Chinese Medicine practice. Instead of heading off to attain my Ph.D. after graduation, I decided to take a few years away from academia and jump into the “real world” of corporate sales. Those few years ended up spanning nearly a decade, where I was a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for three pharmaceutical companies.
Over the decade, I primarily sold psychotropic medications for ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s. I also became an educator for pharmaceuticals that treated cardiovascular, infectious, autoimmune, and gastrointestinal diseases, and osteoporosis and cancer. My interest in biology, physiology, and health has spanned my lifetime, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I first learned about acupuncture. While on a retreat, I met a Chinese Medicine practitioner who encouraged me to learn about acupuncture and to become a student of Chinese Medicine. Admittedly, at the time, I dismissed it; however, it forever remained in the back of my mind as I became more frustrated with the pharmaceutical industry.
The day I quit my pharmaceutical career in 2010, I was left with nothing. My phone, my computer, my car, my salary and all the benefits were completely stripped away, and I was forced to begin a new life. Looking back, this was the biggest, boldest, and best decision I could have made because it leads me straight to the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine where I enrolled the very day I stepped foot through its doors. After the first semester, I knew I had found my calling. Upon becoming a student of Chinese Medicine, I also became a patient.
At only 31 years of age, I had already been diagnosed with clinical depression, insomnia, anxiety, and an autoimmune disease, which left me feeling fatigued, foggy, and drained. The number of prescription meds were growing by the year, and I was relying on them for daily functioning. After my first year of school, I was able to say goodbye to all except one of the pharmaceuticals with the help of acupuncture and herbal therapy. Today, I take only one prescription. Although my life has had its significant ups and downs, I have not needed medications to get me through.
I vividly recall a professor telling the class during my first semester of Chinese Medicine school “You may think you know exactly what your plan is when you graduate, but in nearly every case, your specialty will find you.” This is so true for me. The reason I specialize in mental and emotional health is I understand and have experienced exactly how Chinese Medicine has the potential to transform lives, as acupuncture and herbal therapy helped lift me out of nearly a lifetime of depression.
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?
Leaving a decade-long career in the corporate world for a career that required an additional 4 years of graduate school and an in-patient internship wasn’t the easiest choice. Not only was I planning to become a Chinese Medicine practitioner, but I was planning to become an entrepreneur as well. I received training and experience to be a successful practitioner, but to be a successful business owner?
I was on my own, and that was lonely and intimidating at times. With faith in my training and in the medicine that acupuncture and herbal therapy provides, I continued my journey into the unknown as a small business owner, feeling my way through the darkness one day at a time. I never lost sight of my ultimate goal: to provide patients with the best care I can provide.
For me, this means extensive post-graduate education and training on techniques and protocols that are most effective for my patients as well as being a good listener. I set aside time to allow my patients to feel heard so that they feel comfortable to discuss all aspects of their health concerns. Building trust and good rapport with each patient who walks through the doors of Phoenix Rising Acupuncture is key to creating a positive healing experience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Phoenix Rising Acupuncture story. Tell us more about the business.
Phoenix Rising Acupuncture is perhaps the only acupuncture and herb clinic in the area that solely specializes in mental and emotional health. The majority of the patients who seek care at Phoenix Rising Acupuncture have suffered for years with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic illness brought about by a history of prolonged stress or emotional trauma. Chinese Medicine has known for centuries that the majority of chronic illness is due to stress and suppressed emotions.
At Phoenix Rising Acupuncture, the treatments are geared toward healing not only the physical symptoms but the mental and emotional aspects of an individual. This allows for a deeper and more effective healing experience for chronic illness ranging from migraines to fibromyalgia to chronic fatigue. In addition to acupuncture treatments, nutritional and lifestyle guidance and herbal therapies are also offered on an as-needed basis. Each patient receives a unique plan of care to most successfully overcome his or her health concern.
How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
I truly believe in the quote by Joseph Campbell: “… follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.” This is what I continue to do. Each morning, I hear the gentle whisper of my heart to go in the direction of where my interests and passions guide me.
As I venture down this journey, beautiful and unexpected opportunities have come to me, which I interpret as clear affirmations to keep doing what I am doing, so that I may help as many people as possible who are in need of emotional and physical healing.
Pricing:
- Initial Consultation + Acupuncture $135
- Basic Follow Up $65 – $85
- Esoteric Acupuncture $150
- Sports Medicine Acupuncture + Cupping $110
- Cosmetic Acupuncture $165
- Pediatric Acupuncture + Aroma AcuPoint Therapy $55
- Herbal Consultation $55
Contact Info:
- Address: 2202 W. Alabama Suite C Houston, TX 77098
- Website: www.phoenixrisingacu.com
- Phone: 713-806-9927
- Email: lori@phoenixrisingacu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixrisingacupuncture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixrisingacuhouston/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/phoenix-rising-acupuncture-houston
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston 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.
