Meet Judita Griffin | Acupuncturist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Judita Griffin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Judita, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have witnessed the profound impact of balance on fostering harmony and promoting wellbeing, and cultivating a deeper sense of connection and vitality. My academic background in Natural Sciences has led me to recognize that planetary imbalance can precipitate natural disasters. Our planet, our home, has suffered severe damage due to human activities. We have failed to understand the need for sustainable practices to ensure a livable future for generations to come.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has its roots in observations of nature, with a focus on the balance of five elements and the interplay of Yin and Yang. As we are part of the natural world, the phenomena that occurring in our planet is also experienced within our bodily systems. Unaddressed imbalances can worsen, obstructing the flow of Qi or Chi, our vital energy. The core objective of this medical tradition is to establish balance and harmony among the body, mind ,and spirit. Regardless of our specific health concerns, it is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
As I reflect on my life, I realize that balance was’t a concept I considered at a young age. Growing up in Soviet Lithuania, I was a part of society ruled by the Communist party, where freedom of expression was suppressed. Our lives were highly restricted, even at school, where we were forced to walk circles in the
hallway during breaks. Coming from a poor family, I saw my mother’s selfless dedication of raising six children. Despite her tireless efforts to provide for us, she rarely found balance between work, household chores, and rest. Her moments of solace came late at night, after we’d fallen asleep, when she’d find
comfort in prayer.
I was a diligent person. My first marriage ended in divorce. When Lithuania left the Soviet Union, I became a single mother. My primary concern was providing for my daughter. As a history teacher, I witnessed a significant shift in the field, which led to a decrease in the demand for history instructors. Therefore, I chose to study geography a decision I thoroughly enjoyed. My days were filled with work,lesson preparation, and studying, primarily on weekends and evenings, as I created educational projects for my students, often neglecting my personal well-being. Achieving a balance between work, studies and rest was not a consideration at the time. I was like an energizer bunny, operating continuously until exhaustion set in.
A similar scenario occurred in the US during my medical school education when I attempted to accelerate my graduation. In my final year, I undertook an excessive course load of over 20 credits, coupled with three clinic shifts. This led not only to physical exhaustion but also emotional and mental overload, requiring a reduction in my pace.
When I opened my practice, I had three treatment rooms. I was running between them, doing acupuncture, cupping and other therapies. I was driven by my passion to heal. All my spear time I spent seeking innovative ways to help my patients. Because of my love of profession and my work, I was striving on adrenalin.
When Covid-19 struck, I faced significant health challenges, necessitating a temporary closure of my practice for a year. Covid was an eye opening experience for me. Upon reopening my practice, I prioritized self- care and adapted my work approach. I decided to offer only individualized and specialized treatmens with a focus on neurologic disorders, musculoskeletalproblems, and emotional stress management. This change also included reducing treatment rooms to one. This allowed me to step away from the constant business I learned to equate with my worthiness in my childhood.
I find immense joy in my work and everyday life. I begun to appreciate life’s beauty around me, foreign a deep sense of peace and harmony in my heart and soul. This holds great significance for me. My family’s well-being, and my own is important to me. I have learned to find joy in simplicity. Through stillness, I have developed a profound understanding of self-love and importance of letting go of worries about things beyond my control. I recommend that my patients adopt a similar approach, encouraging them to slow down, cultivate self- love, and strive for balance within their physical, mental, and spiritual selves. In today’s fast-paced world, finding inner balance is crucial. Most of us require healing, which can only be truly achieved when we experience inner and outer peace and harmony. The rythm of life-work and rest, giving and receiving, earnings and spending-mirrors the rhythm within us. When these are in harmony, our nervous system finds peace, and our whole being feels balanced and well.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I opened my practice, I invested considerable time and resources to enhance my treatments through research and attending various courses.
Every acupuncturist has a distinct approach. My practice combines classical techniques with Master Tung and Balance acupuncture styles, including auricular, body, and scalp acupuncture.Through personalized on-on-one sessions, I combine acupuncture with adjunctive therapies like cupping, electro-acupuncture, and body work, customizing treatment plans according to individual patient needs. With certification in Neuro-acupuncture, I specialize in treating patients with neurological conditions, including severely paralyzed children.
When people contact me for help, I guarantee that I will do my best to address their health issues.This experience has taught me a valuable lesson. By giving my best effort, I can say with confidence that I have no regrets and do not dwell on self-criticism, knowing that I have done everything I can. I refer patients to other acupuncturists who have more experience in specific condition. I do not treat pregnancy issues.
Earlier, I discussed how COVID impacted my practice and health, requiring me to take time off and transition from a large practice to a studio setup. With better care, I successfully implemented price adjustments, resulting in minimal impact on my income.
I am presently working towards obtaining certification in Nutrition,specializing in the use of food to reduce inflammation, an approach rooted in Hyppocrates’ “Let food be thy medicine.” This methodology is improving my health and motivating me to assist others in achieving wellness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Arizona’s rich human and geological history makes it a fascinating destination. As a nature lover, I’m excited to share its wonders with my daughter’s family, who will be visiting from the UK. I am now thinking about the ideal places to take them, considering their love for nature over urban landscapes.
Despite frequent visits together, Grand Cannyon National Park and Sedona never fail to leave us wanting more. I intend to revisit them and explore additional destinations, including Antelope Canyon National Park, Hoseshoe Band, Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and Butterfly Wonderland. Potential future visists may include Saguaro National Park and Petrified Forest National Parks and small towns in Arizona. When it comes to dining, we prefer supporting local, small business over more expensive,larger establishments.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate the Shoutout series to my professors Pamella Wallach, David Myrick, and Dan Bedgood, whose lives ended abruptly last school year. They taught me at the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. They shaped me not only professionally, but also opened my eyes to many things I had never seen, understood, or thought about.

Website: https://totalwellnessacupunctureaz.com

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