Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesenia Flores.
Hi Yesenia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, I am Dr. Yesenia Flores. I became interested in acupuncture in about 2010. I had been dealing with abdominal pain that was lingering for over four years after my first-born child. The physician prescribed a muscle relaxer, but I could not take it because it was a narcotic. Thankfully, all tests were normal. I tried different things for this chronic pain, holding my baby with support in case it was muscular pain, massages, stretching and exercising but nothing eased the pain. Years back, I had completed a short massage therapy training and had been intrigued by the Asian healing arts section of the program. I was curious and decided to try acupuncture at the local college. The pain I was experiencing was atypical to western medicine providers and that is okay because it made perfect sense to the acupuncturists. I thought, what is this “Liver qi and blood stagnation,” students and the supervisor kept discussing? There was nothing wrong with my liver, it was blockage in interstitial space. With the treatment they were able to get fluids flowing, helping circulation, and restoring balance to the nervous system as if it were a reset on a computer. After the treatment, I felt as if I had experienced a breakthrough in my health and in my life and I needed to learn more about this medicine and that is what I did.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Struggles along the way have been dealing with the bureaucracy of the acupuncture boards and of some medical companies.
After graduating, alumni are expected to pass the boards examination in California for licensing and there is a separate National boards’ examination. I believe a bridge should close the gaps between the colleges, the national boards, and the California boards. The college I attended had yearly examinations additionally to the quizzes, midterms, and finals, including Clean Needle Technique. The boards should recognize this. There is an incredible amount of stress and anxiety that we go through sitting for each exam and one for the boards should be enough. Of course, there is also a fee for each exam that is difficult for most students.
The current struggle we have as Acupuncture Providers is working with certain medical insurance companies. They love to play with words and offer their members a plan with unlimited visits and then they limit visits to being a medical necessity and require reports that show improvement. This creates delays in patient care, excessive administrative costs, and complex billing. Most insurance companies will only cover pain and nausea.
It is difficult keeping a private practice accepting insurance which is why I share the space in a multi-disciplinary practice with lovely hard-working people that in addition to acupuncture, they offer massage therapy, mind tuning hypnosis, and psychology. All community members deserve access to Acupuncture, and I accept these medical insurance companies for my patients.
We’ve been impressed with Chi Happens Acupuncture a Professional Corporation, 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?
More people are becoming familiar and aware that there is a distinct branch of medicine and if your current situation is not fulfilling then maybe you should try Acupuncture. Every aspect is important: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Movement exercises such as Tai Chi Chuan or Qi Gong. Acupuncture may help with so much more than pain. Taking some time to try to quiet the mind, focusing on just breathing during the acupuncture treatment is a wonderful way to activate the para-sympathetic nervous system. It will promote relaxation and bring balance to the body and mind by reducing cortisol levels and increasing endorphins. I love helping others and some people are afraid of needles, but I try to make my patients feel as comfortable as possible so that the treatment is not only helpful but that they feel cared for and nurtured.
What matters most to you?
We are blessed to have this type of holistic medicine shared and available. I am very grateful to my teachers and to their teachers who learned in China, Japan, and India. Also, I am thankful for my grandparents and my mother who taught me about herbal remedies and abdominal massage with its origins in Mexico. I want to make sure that the community has access to acupuncture. Everyone will be treated with respect, compassion and care. Hopefully when they leave, they feel a little better than when they came in. I have gift certificates available for purchase and for anyone wanting to donate to uninsured community members. Take care.
Pricing:
- • $160 Acupuncture treatment, With time of service discount $75
- • Discounts available for Military families, students, Medicare patients, and low to medium income.
- • $50 cupping treatment
- • Pricing for herbal medicine varies
- • Copayment is determined by your medical insurance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chihappensacupuncture.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: @chihappensacupuncture
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-yesenia-flores-9a8033288
