Sara's WHY

Hello! I’m so happy to have joined the Balanced Thistle community and want to share with you a little bit about why I do what I do and how I got into acupuncture/Chinese Medicine. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in healthcare in some capacity. I can remember saying as a child that “I wanted to be a doctor that delivered babies!” And, although, I didn’t pursue that exact path towards supporting women through their childbearing years, I have found myself supporting them in other ways that have become so meaningful to me. 

People are often surprised to learn that I am a scientist at heart. I studied Zoology during my undergrad and have spent enormous amounts of time working in labs and doctors’ offices over the years. I developed a deep appreciation for the systematic approach of Western Medicine and a fascination with understanding how the body works. This curiosity and step by step approach have informed the way that I treat patients today. 

I am often asked how I found my way into Chinese Medicine.. the truth is, it found me at just the right time. I grew up with a mother who had a natural remedy for everything, and I learned early how powerful lifestyle choices could be in dealing with health issues. I attended Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and earned my Masters of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2012. Shortly after graduating, my husband and I moved to Nashville, TN where I dove headfirst into treating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum conditions. As more of my fertility patients became pregnant, they began asking for birth support. I pursued a doula training and started attending births. Since that time, I have pursued additional birth training, spent time working with a home birth midwife, and did an internship focusing on using acupuncture in preparation for and during labor/birth. I have been honored to be invited to attend the births of many women and love being able to support them in their journey to achieve a gentle and empowered birth. I believe that information is power and having all the information we need to make the best decision for ourselves and our families is possibly the most important factor in feeling positively about our pregnancies and births. 

My passion for helping people along their health journey doesn’t end with treating hormonal health. I enjoy treating pain conditions, digestive issues, stress and anxiety, and so much more. I am constantly inspired by the transformations that take place in my patient’s health and their ability to continue seeking ways to feel better. I really have had the BEST patients!!

I feel so fortunate to have found a career that I love, patients who trust me with their stories, and who inspire me to keep learning. Understanding Chinese medicine concepts informs so many of my daily lifestyle choices. My goal is to bring that same understanding and awareness to others because it’s the little nuggets of information that can bring the biggest changes to our lives. 

This blog post was written by Sara Bates, LAc