Miss--> Mrs. --> Ms. --> Dr.

When I was younger, I lived behind the Junior High School.

My house was almost always filled with friends who’d gotten injured during an after-school athletic event. I cleaned and patched countless scrapes, I assessed strained joints and massaged tight muscles. I gave water and made snacks and advised rest. During these times I also cut hair and endlessly discussed romantic and friend dramas; offering advice when warranted, but usually simply being a safe witness to the pain.

I was told I was a great friend.

I was told I’d be a great wife someday.

I was told I’d make an amazing mother.

What I never heard was that I’d be an incredible doctor.

My greatness was reduced to how I could be of service socially, never how I could make a profession out of my skills. I’ve often wondered if it would have been different had I been a boy...

It turns out that I am a great friend. I like to think I was a great wife (although my ex-husband may disagree) and I am an amazing mom.

I’m now also a pretty darn great doctor.

Choosing to pursue my doctorate degree in Chinese Medicine after a grueling 4 year masters program was arguably masochistic. Especially since this additional degree does not broaden my scope of practice in Texas.

What it does do, however, is give me additional knowledge and skill sets to better serve my clients. It gives me a title that commands more respect when coordinating patient care with Western medical providers. It shows my clients that I care enough to sacrifice more time and money for additional degrees to make sure that they are getting the best me possible.

Also, Dr. Valentine sounds way too good to pass up. . .

I’ll always “just be Jenna” to my clients, friends and family.

I’ll always "just be Mama” to my incredible daughter.

I’m sure some others will have other names for me - some endearing, some not- but…

To the rest of the world: I’ll be checking the Dr. box when it asks for title and that feels worth the effort.

love,

Dr. Jenna Valentine

Laying Down is SOOOO Basic. . .

Laying Down is SOOOO Basic. . . But, laying down on an infrared, negative ion, crystal filled mat that has the option to heat up is sooooo. . . uh, opposite of basic.

Honestly, the biomat I have in my South Austin location gives my North Austin location jealous vibes and I will most likely be getting a second mat so both locations can be ridiculously luxurious and extra af.

The mat is filled with rows of 5 alternating types of crystals: amethyst, obsidian, quartz, turquoise, and orange jade which each have a plethora of energetic healing potentials. It can be warmed up to your level of comfort and, when combined with a heat lamp, can feel like a cozy wellness nest (well-nest?)

Far infrared technology claims to help with pain relief and blood circulation and promote relaxation. Side benefit is that you feel like royalty laying on this gorgeous mat.

Come see me. Lay down in a non-basic way.

love,

Jenna

Be Beautiful Inside & Outside with Systemic TCM Microneedling

For those of you who know me, you know that sometimes I don’t wash my face at night and I simply touch up the unwashed mascara as I race out the door with my coffee.  I tell myself that this is efficient and multi-tasky (much kinder than ‘lazy’).

I also don’t use eye cream like I’m supposed to as a late-30s woman.  I have laugh line wrinkles (much better than ‘crow’s feet’) alongside some pimples which are probably the reason I tend to get carded when buying alcohol.

My stance on the beauty industry is that it profits off creating self-doubt and insecurity particularly in women.  I effing hate that.

I don’t want to be intimidated into injecting poison into my face to fit a standard of beauty defined by older white men lining their pockets with my perceived inadequacies.  AND. . . I also want to look and feel beautiful.

I finally found the answer:  Systemic TCM Microneedling

Systemic TCM microneedling (TCM = Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a fantastic way for you to both look and feel beautiful.

Antiaging is out - this is Graceful aging, Supportive aging, Honoring aging.

Microneedling will help:

• minimize fine lines and wrinkles

• support collagen and elastin production

• reduce the appearance of acne scars and discolorations

• enhance skin texture and increase serum absorption by 2000%.

  • That means a whole lot more of the Chinese herb infused serums will be making their way into your system.

Microneedling helps reduce "crow's feet" and other wrinkles on the face.

Microneedling helps reduce acne scars.

Microneedling helps minimize "laugh lines" and rejuvenates skin.

Imagine this:  

You lay on an infrared crystal mat while a customized Chinese herb-infused serum is applied to your face. 

Customized acupuncture points are added for your unique health needs.

The microneedling treatment is completed and an herbal topical mask is applied while you rest.

An optional add on of facial light therapy can finish off the treatment.  

You leave feeling revitalized inside and out.

Don’t just look better. . . feel better.  

If this resonates with you BOOK NOW for Systemic TCM Microneedling.

If you aren’t into the microneedling thing NO WORRIES - I will never push this on you.  (I’m still traumatized by a dermatologist I went to see for a skin care check and she ended up telling me I needed botox and I vowed never to be her).  So, know that I do this microneedling cosmetic/facial acupuncture thing.  Know you don’t have to get it.  Know I’m always here for you.  

Your TCM microneedling session includes body acupuncture, concentrated serums infused with powerful Chinese herbs, a soothing aloe topical mask, and time spent on a crystal infrared mat to help promote circulation, reduce pain, and enhance relaxation.

For $350, you'll feel better, look better, and never freak out about whether your pores are visible on Zoom again. Customized facial care programs available upon request.  

love,

Jenna

P.S. This modality also works for hair regrowth and reducing the appearance of stretch marks!

P.P.S Want even more info?  Check out the microneedling tab!

"Breakfast". . . or something like that.

A friend and I spent a weekend at a wellness retreat that had caloric restriction as part of the structure. I definitely packed some extra clandestine healthy snacks, because your girl has a super fast metabolism and I am NOT trying to lose the small curves I actually have.

Each morning we made a warm detox tea which turned out to be absolutely delicious.

The caveat is that you have you drink it kind of quickly or things settle and get a bit gunky and gross.

Anyways, here is how you make it:

1. Brew a cup of tea of your choosing - I have been using a basic green tea at home.

2. Toss out the tea bag and add

   • a spoon full of MCT oil,

   • a spoon full of food grade bentonite clay,

   • and a spoonful of a protein powder of your choosing.

   • While at home I’m also adding a sprinkling of hemp or chia seeds.

3. Mix all the ingredients together and then pour into a blender

   • I got a little bullet blender that is the ideal size and feels so darn efficient that I can hardly stand it.

4. Blend together and drink this warm, healthy yumminess.

*The bentonite clay shouldn’t be used for a very long time as it is ‘grabby’ and could detox nutrients that your body needs. So, be sure to rotate this in and out of your routine.

Remember to get creative and listen to your body. Being healthy shouldn’t be yucky or boring.

Be well and have fun.

xo,

jenna

Practitioners & Politics

We are living in a heightened political landscape. Political views have polarized communities, ended relationships, created family strife, and wreaked havoc on our nervous systems. We are stressed, angry, sad, frustrated, confused, and - in the midst of an ever evolving pandemic - often isolated.

All of these truths are undoubtedly impacting the health and wellness of our clients physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. If we aren’t allowing politics into our practice, we are doing our clients a major disservice as we are missing massive contextual health information.

Some may identify as apolitical. To me, this is simply a choice to support the status quo while trying to avoid responsibility. It is also a major sign that you have heaping doses of privilege that you are failing to recognize and use for the greater good.

Some may argue that it is unprofessional to share your political views and believe that practitioners should remain neutral. I would remind these individuals that the Hippocratic Oath is centered around doing no harm. If you are not actively advocating for equality and justice (racial, gender, sexual orientation, etc) you are part of the problem.

Some may believe we, as health professionals, should ‘stay in our lane’, to which I would have several choice words not suited for this post. But, the take away message would be that true healing means finding the root cause of the problem. From microaggressions to overt bigotry, we have members of our communities who’s root cause of health issues is undoubtedly linked to the stress of being a marginalized population.

Practitioners have an obligation to our patients to help them on their wellness journey. Social justice is wellness work and must be incorporated. I made a choice to be open about my political views: to stand with Black Lives Matter, to speak out against systemic racism, White supremacist culture, patriarchy, LGBTQ+ rights, which can all be lumped into basic human dignity and decency.

I had people question this choice. I had people disagree with my approach. I ended several friendships and professional relationships. I imagined what type of practitioner I would have been had I lived in Nazi Germany and I could not imagine myself remaining neutral. I won’t remain neutral now. We have choices to make about how expansive we view our commitment to ‘do no harm’, but i hope that you join me in believing that attempting to separate our health care from the political realm is like trying to heal a Liver that is soaking in alcohol.

The right patients find me. They feel safe in my care because they know where I stand. They can choose me as the right practitioner for them because I allow them to know me as a full human. The patients not suited for me won’t waste their time and can find the best person for them.

If you consider yourself a healer, but are not actively engaged in politics that are advancing the basic human rights for your clients then I would strongly encourage you to evaluate your choices.

Politics are already in our practices - it is up to us if we try to ignore this, fight this, or engage with this in a way that betters the world.

love,

Jenna