May 1, 2017

Meet Christina Dea of Back Bay Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Dea.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have a background in biotechnology, and transitioned into acupuncture after working as a research associate. This was a wonderful experience, but I realized that I wanted to help people directly and not from behind a lab bench. I was introduced to acupuncture through a classmate in my Tai Chi class. The principles of Chinese medicine amazed and inspired me. It acknowledges that in addition to physical traumas, our bodies are impacted by the environment, food, and relationships. It fills in the gaps left by western medical explanations. I enjoy listening to peoples’ stories and trying to figure out how these pieces connect to their health concerns. I’m amazed by the body’s innate healing capacity and enjoy bringing this awareness to others.

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?
Not necessarily. Studying to become a health care practitioner doesn’t prepare one for running a business. I’ve been fortunate to have had many opportunities that have helped me grow and learn on both fronts. The one most influential was my time at Pathways to Wellness, which was a holistic therapies public health clinic. Their mission was to make these services available free or low cost to those who need it the most. Having a private practice is a very different model; however, my experiences have taught me how to balance caring for others while maintaining a healthy business.

Please tell us about Back Bay Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
I practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I encourage patients to use the principles of this medicine as tools to create a balanced and healthy life. In addition to acupuncture and herbal treatments I discuss dietary and lifestyles changes to empower patients in creating healthier habits. Each treatment is very personalized and I frequently pass along additional resources that I think each person might find interesting or helpful. If I’m not able to help a person I try to refer them to someone who can.

I enjoy working with children. It’s fun to see how quickly they respond and recover. I also find it satisfying to help youth get in tune with their body and pay attention to how things affect them. I feel this skill will help them preventatively address health issues as they get older.

As a practice I’m proud of adopting a “Share the Care” program. Chinese medicine views the human body as a microcosm of the environment around us. Complete health and wellness isn’t just about our own body. It includes the state of the environment and community of people around us. Each quarter I choose a local organization to collect in-kind donations for and offer my patients a discount for participating.

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