Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonal Patel.
Hi Sonal, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey in holistic medicine really started during my time in California. I spent almost every day off out in nature, hiking, walking along the beach, meditating, and reading. Nature became my church, transforming how I saw the world and how everything is connected, which set me on a path toward wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
Like many acupuncturists, I actually discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a patient first. I was dealing with some unusual thyroid symptoms, and a coworker suggested I give it a try. After just a few treatments—along with herbal therapy and a few dietary tweaks—my symptoms started clearing up. I was genuinely amazed by the power of TCM and those tiny needles.
At the time, I was working as a Respiratory Therapist in a hospital, but I’d been longing to transition into a more holistic field. I’d spent years researching different paths, from psychology to Ayurveda, but experiencing TCM firsthand made up my mind. Restoring my own health sealed the deal. I decided to pursue my Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine so I could share that same profound healing with others—especially those dealing with side effects from conventional care or searching for a truly natural path to wellness.
It’s funny looking back—my first career is what brought me to California in the first place. Almost nine years later, I left with all the excitement and nerves of starting over in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. If I’m being honest, I never imagined I’d end up running my own business! Stepping into the role of an accidental entrepreneur wasn’t on my radar back then. While navigating business ownership was a steep learning curve, it ultimately clarified my true passion and desire: devoting my energy directly to patient care and collaborating within a dedicated holistic wellness community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Building a practice came with a steep learning curve and plenty of trial and error, especially on the business side.
I spent significant time and money experimenting with strategies that just didn’t yield results—from social media campaigns and networking mixers to marketing courses and health fairs that brought in very few patients. At one point, the financial strain was heavy enough that I took a part-time job for six months, genuinely believing I might have to close my doors.
What frustrated me most was realizing how much energy I was pouring into administrative tasks instead of deepening my TCM knowledge. Traditional Chinese Medicine is vast, and continuous learning is what lights me up—there is always a deeper layer to explore. Navigating those hard seasons ultimately brought complete clarity: my heart belongs in hands-on patient care and clinical growth, not in managing a solo business. It reaffirmed my desire to focus entirely on healing within a collaborative holistic space.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my practice, I offer a comprehensive range of Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities—including acupuncture, cupping, electro-acupuncture (e-stim), herbal therapy, and dietary counseling. I also offer cosmetic acupuncture, which has become a patient favorite for those seeking a natural, non-invasive approach to skin health and rejuvenation.
While I treat a wide spectrum of health concerns, I most frequently support patients navigating chronic and acute pain, digestive issues, stress and anxiety, and women’s health conditions—such as menstrual irregularities, fertility support, and menopausal transitions.
The feedback I receive most often centers on my bedside manner and listening skills. My years as a hospital Respiratory Therapist deeply shaped how I interact with patients. Combining that solid clinical foundation with an empathetic nature allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, ensuring they feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported throughout their care.
For me, the most fulfilling part of this work will always be witnessing those breakthrough moments—when a patient shares, “I feel so much better,” or “I finally feel like myself again.” Knowing that this medicine helped someone reclaim their health and quality of life is what I am most proud of.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
For me, risk isn’t about being reckless; it’s about choosing growth over comfort when your gut tells you it’s time for a change. I’ve taken two major risks in my career that completely reshaped my path.
The first was leaving my established, well-paying job as a Respiratory Therapist. I had a great schedule and wonderful coworkers, but I stepped away from all that security to jump into the unknown of acupuncture school.
The second major risk was signing my own office lease after years of subleasing a single room in another practitioner’s office. Moving into my own dedicated space was a massive leap. Suddenly, I was responsible for double the expenses—two rents, double utilities, and all the overhead—without any built-in walk-in traffic. That move pushed me far outside my comfort zone, forcing me to learn business operations on the fly, dive into marketing, and join local networking groups.
Looking back, taking those risks wasn’t easy, but they were entirely necessary. Even when things didn’t go smoothly, taking those leaps proved what I’m capable of and ultimately shaped the practitioner—and person—I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renewwithacupuncture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewacupuncturehtx/
