Meet Janet Lee, DACM, LAc of Vitality Holistic Medicine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Lee, DACM, LAc.

Janet, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For the last 28 years, I’ve been working in publishing as an editor and writer specializing in fitness and health. I’ve written hundreds of stories about how to flatten your abs, firm your butt or get sexy arms.

About 13 years ago, when I was still living in New York City, I decided I wanted to have a more direct impact on people’s health that wasn’t focused on body parts. I had always been interested in medicine so I did some research and the idea of holistic medicine really appealed to me. I decided to go to school to study Chinese Medicine.

Fast forward to today and I have a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. I originally started my practice in Los Angeles but I moved to Kansas City in 2016 and I’ve never looked back to my “big city” past. I specialize in fertility and sports medicine and continue to pursue training in both areas.

I also continue to do writing/editing projects for various magazines and online clients.

Alright, 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?
It’s never easy when you go back to school for an intensive degree in your 40s, but I’m very determined and goal-oriented so I just pushed through. The biggest challenge so far has been deciding to move to Kansas City from Los Angeles.

I originally planned to join another acupuncturist’s practice here in KC, and I knew it might not be a good fit. When we started working together it was clear very quickly that it wasn’t going to work so I had to pivot and find a spot to open my own practice. I rented a room in a yoga studio, where I met a wonderful colleague and friend. I eventually landed within Centered Spirit here in Waldo (I rent two rooms here) and that has been a great experience.

The other “struggle,” which I’m sure all small business owners face, is figuring out what my practice looks like, not just in terms of marketing and the public face, but in terms of how many patients I want to see, who I want to work with, how much I want to grow and so on. It’s easy to compare yourself to other people and we’re taught in school that we should be seeing a ton of patients, but that’s not what works for me. I had to get over the desire to compare and pay attention to what feels right.

When I first decided to go back to school, I figured I would have to leave my publishing career behind and that was very difficult for me to come to terms with. I was successful and my identity was so tied up in being an editor. I never anticipated that I’d still be doing it even after establishing my business but the mix is really good for me. It challenges me and I love that.

We’ve been impressed with Vitality Holistic Medicine LLC, 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?
At Vitality Holistic Medicine, I use acupuncture and herbal medicine to help people create the family they’ve always wanted, get healthier and perform at their best. I specialize in fertility and sports medicine, but I also work with veterans to treat pain. I come from a military family so that is important to me.

My practice is small and focused. I’m the only acupuncturist in Kansas City to be board-certified in reproductive medicine. I’m one of only two people in the U.S. to have an Advanced Level Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture. When people come to me to improve their health and their odds of conceiving, they know they’re getting a level of expertise that’s hard to find elsewhere. In addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine, I also use nutrition, yoga, and mindfulness techniques to help my patients improve their overall health. My focus is on my patients, not on treating as many people as possible in a day.

I also work with other super-talented healthcare providers, including massage therapists, a Kundalini yoga instructor, and a mindfulness teacher, within Centered Spirit, where my clinic is located. We have a unique team that provides holistic care for people who are trying to conceive, are currently pregnant or who have recently given birth (in addition to others). We want to support them at every stage. It’s a wonderful place.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
My business has stayed pretty steady throughout the pandemic, with the exception of the very first month or two. I learned that I had to be firm with my mask requirement, both for my health and my patients’ health. I believe very strongly in science and public health (which is really becoming global health) and how simple, “low bar” behaviors can make a big difference in protecting ourselves and others.

My patients don’t have to share that belief but it won’t keep me from telling them what I think if they ask me. It also reinforced to me how beneficial herbal medicine is for treating these kinds of conditions. That’s what it was created to treat originally! There’s great research happening now to try to prove this and I’m watching it.

Pricing:

• Initial acupuncture visit: $140 (90 minutes)
• Follow-up acupuncture visit: $75 (45-60 minutes)

Contact Info:

• Website: vitalityholisticmedicine.com
• Instagram: @holisticfertilitydoc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vitalityholisticmedicine

Image Credits
Chris Fanning and Meg Kumin Photography