Meet Sydney Herbst | Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

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

Hi Sydney, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
While earning my Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Sciences and working for a few acupuncturists I formed strong opinions regarding how I’d want to be treated if I were the patients seeking care. I was concerned if I were to practice under another acupuncturist I may not be allotted the time and ability to create the healing environment I wanted for each patient I treated. I decided I needed my own autonomy, with no time constraints, to create a positive wellness experience and effective treatment plan for each person who chooses to walk into my practice.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My passion for acupuncture and Chinese medicine began after experiencing my own array of health issues which began to surface while I was in high school. Hypothyroidism, food allergies, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression, were a few things that began to consume me. Throughout high school I looked to Western medicine, without much success, to treat my health issues. I was determined to get to the root cause and pursue a different path of healing. Toward the end of my Junior year of college I was introduced to a world that made complete sense to me, acupuncture and Chinese medicine. I began using acupuncture and Chinese medicine to successfully treat my own health issues. I spent the summer between my Junior and Senior year of college shadowing at a local integrative acupuncture practice and gaining insight as to how deep this medicine goes. After I completed my Undergraduate Degree I spent a year in Asia where I taught English in Thailand and traveled throughout Vietnam before ending my solo overseas adventure in Rishikesh, India, the birthplace of yoga and epicenter for holistic healing. While in Rishikesh I completed a 500 hour yoga certification course, learned and practiced meditation rigorously, and explored the roots of Ayurvedic Medicine before returning home with a clear focus and goal of attending the Doctoral program in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Science and becoming a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM). My travels throughout Asia and the four years I spent in Graduate School to become a DACM shaped both my personal and professional life. It is my belief true healing can only be achieved by establishing a harmonious connection between the mind, body, and spirit. To attain holistic well-being and flourish in your surroundings, the integration and synchronization of these three components is imperative. At “Herbs to Acupuncture Integrative Wellness Clinic”, I employ the modalities of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and food therapy as integral tools to augment an individual’s overall wellness and vitality.

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.
I could go on and on about all the food and coffee shops to visit in San Diego! I will try to keep it simple and local to where I am living and practicing. If you are looking for a morning cup of coffee in La Jolla to walk down to visit the Cove with, Flower Pot, Encanto Cafe, Brick and Bell, and II Giardino di Lilli are a few nearby stops. Restaurants that are perfect for a date night would be Himitsu Japanese Bistro, La Valencia Hotel’s Mediterranean Room, and Aroi Thai. For happy hour with a sunset view, Catania Coastal Italian and Birdseye Rooftop are it. The Cottage if you are looking for a delicious Sunday brunch with the friendliest staff. Of course if your bestie is in town for baseball season you have to go to a Padres Game and order the Cardiff Crack. If its like most days and the weather is pretty decent, Torrey Pines is great for hiking and nearby the Gliderport is fun to watch paragliders take off at.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to honor both of my incredible parents whose unconditional support and guidance has absolutely been invaluable to my journey. A heartfelt thank you to the rest of my loving family and close friends whose constant encouragement and belief in my dreams have been a pillar of strength. To the dedicated and inspiring teachers at Pacific College of Health and Sciences, your guidance, knowledge, and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping my academic and personal growth.

Website: www.herbstoacupuncture.com

Instagram: @herbstoacupuncture

Image Credits
Emily Dean Photography. J.Dixx Photography.