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Meet Trailblazer Natalie Franciose

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Franciose.

Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Where to begin? I grew up on an island, raised in a western medical family. I went to undergraduate school for Biology and Chemistry and aimed to go into the human sciences because I love humans and I love science. When moving to Colorado upon graduation in 08′ I was so burnt out on taking tests I was excited to get a job and have a little fun. The recession had other plans for me, as I struggled to find a job in my field. I served tables, traveled and enjoyed my time. By my mid 20’s my intellectual mind was needing stimulation and I was hearing a deep call to help people. I looked into graduate programs- DO, PT, MD, OT but none of them resonated. My mother was a nurse turned nurse practitioner and I grew up with an inside scoop on the medical industry. Though I pay respect where respect is due within the brilliance of modern medicine, I always idolized the old timey notion of doctors and healers being able to travel around seeing people with their medicine bag, ready to address any health concern, and THAT is what I wanted to do with my life.

Now, at the time, I had already been receiving treatments at the student clinic at CSTCM- what would soon become my alumni. It wasn’t until my roommate at the time had reminded me of what I said after coming home from receiving my first acupuncture session years prior. I walked in the door, in a daze (as acupuncture tends to ‘zen’ you out… so much so that I had NO recollection or memory of saying this), which was, ‘ I know what I want to do with the rest of my life’.

It took me years to find the path, and once the lightbulb went off, I never looked back. Graduate school was the most challenging and beautiful experience of my life. Three years, year round of rigorous mind bending expansion and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It gave me the tools and skillset to aid people in their struggles and successes. I was born to help people and in this modern culture, I wanted to be seen, respected and therefore more able to reach those wanting this kind of support. I continue to come back to my studies, furthering my medical knowledge of both east and west. To be frank, they are both important, not to mention fascinating. I find it is always important to remain a student of life.

Great, 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?
This is such a subjective question. Every path is so individualized that I find it hard to gauge because we only know what we know and are constantly bombarded with comparison and other people’s opinions. I have had my struggles and obstacles, of course, and I continue to hit growth edges that I have to navigate and grow through– which is a good thing!

For instance, having to decide what IS best for me, or what road IS the most fruitful avenue, or which path will aid in helping me to serve my purpose? Sometimes the seemingly smooth road is the easiest but you have no gains by the end and sometimes choosing the path of least resistance leads us to the gold. Things may be challenging and you have to grind through it, but everything doesn’t have to be hard.

I think figuring out the underlying currents of how you operate will indefinitely lead you to your own self-awareness. It’s the life long quest! I have come to understand that as you unearth the layers and get to know yourself, love yourself and know what feels most natural TO YOU. That you will alleviate the ‘struggle’ and you will flow in life with greater ease. For myself and many others, navigating anxiety and depression is a very real and sometimes a very debilitating experience. I’ve had to choose to look at it. To change my outlook around my attachments, shame, and guilt and my relationship to self. The best advice I can give is to resource yourself with therapists, movement practices, awareness techniques and to build your trust within your own intuition and continually grow into more of your truth.

Don’t be afraid! Trial and error are incredible teachers. Stay humble as a student of life, always and remember it is important to acknowledge and celebrate your wins.

Spend the time to find your inner compass. Listen to your intuition and trust it beyond any other force outside of yourself. Seek trusted council, mentors, and advisors but ultimately you are the artist of your life.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Point of Balance Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine – what should we know?
Clinically, I am trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with is an umbrella term with many modalities underneath it. The most widely known treatment is acupuncture but there are many supporting therapies such as cupping, moxabustion (heating therapy), gua sha (scraping method), tui na (massage), nutrition, and qi gong are all tools that if needed can facilitate more effective session. I am also trained in plant medicine so if people are interested and needing a non allopathic internal medicine, I diagnose and prescribe Chinese herbal medicine of all sorts. I make tinctures and love tinkering in my workshop making medicine for my people. When folks come in, they often have specific issues or symptoms they want to address such as pain, fertility, insomnia, digestive, neurological, mental/emotional/spiritual issues going on. So we discuss in length all aspects of health so that I get a comprehensive sense of whats going on physically, emotionally and spiritually. THIS is what lights me up, connecting with people. This is why I chose TCM because it is effective and inclusive, involving the whole being, not just the individual parts. I had a client say the other day, “I can’t believe I am saying all of this to you. What is it in YOU that is making me so comfortable to share?” I humbly smiled and responded, “that is why I am here on this planet, to create a trusted space for you to heal, grow and fully express.”

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Mentorship has been key in my process. I recommend checking out your local Chamber of Commerce, Denver has the Small Business Development Center which offers classes, courses and counseling. Plus you meet amazing people.

I meet with two accountability groups monthly, one is a bunch of local entrepreneurs doing amazing things in the world which I met through a course I took through taking the SBDC. The other one is a little group of other acupuncturists so more specific to our field. Both of them, we organize and commit to, arrange a meetup and those who can make it come! It’s important to keep momentum and inspiration especially when you are a one-human-show!

‘Networking’ doesn’t have to be dry! I’m very social so I enjoy meeting people. What I find challenging is my biz classes call my ‘pitch’ so I try to show up authentically and speak to what I do from a real place while educating people on Eastern medicine.

Pricing:

  • Initial consult (90 min) $125
  • Follow up visit (90 min) $100
  • Follow up visit (60 min) $75
  • Herbal consultation (45 min) $60 + cost of herbs

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Diana Sabreen

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