We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Bird and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Christina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I thoroughly enjoy helping people feel better, and doing good work in this world. Going to Acupuncture school and stepping into the holistic healing space became a natural transition after receiving my undergraduate degree in Athletic Training, where I focused on kinesiology; anatomy and physiology; and the prevention, care, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries; as well as working as a Personal Trainer for three and a half years. I am here to support my patients on their healing and self-care journey. The goal of my practice is to nourish the entirety of their being: physically, mentally, and emotionally; and send my patients back out into the world feeling renewed and refreshed.
I opened my Acupuncture practice in 2012, and have created a soothing sensory experience in my treatment room to support each patient’s relaxation through subtle lighting, comfortable ambient temperature, as well as music and white noise to allow them to detach from the outside world. My padded table is delightfully comfortable to lay on for an extended period, and I use a high quality paper to cover the table and face cradle (no crinkly sounds as the patient moves around). I have a supportive bolster for under their knees, and several other bolsters and pillows if we need to prop up a body part.
I begin each session with questions related to their chief complaint, personal ailments, and overall health. During this time, I hold space for my patients to emotionally process. Within the four walls of my treatment room is a safe space for confidential discussion of them, their life, and their body. We then shift from intake and emotional processing to physical touch, where I palpate any area of discomfort, and then choose where I will gently insert my acupuncture needles.
Through my own self-care experiences, I have found that we can create a well-rounded experience by ending an acupuncture session with massage and stretching. So after removing the needles, I will massage my patient for 15 minutes, and depending on how their body presents, may work on one particular area or multiple. After the massage, I will lead them in guided stretching, using both static stretches, as well as physical therapy exercises. This allows a gentle reintegration of them into their body, before heading back out into the world.
I love having the opportunity to use my wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as my kindness, empathy, and compassion to help improve the lives of my patients.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My undergraduate degree (Athletic Training) and experience as a Personal Trainer taught me how healthy bodies work and function, and how both acute and chronic injuries manifest in the body. I learned to identify every bone and muscle, as well as special tests and palpation skills to determine which parts of a patient’s body are contributing to their pain or dysfunction.
I have found that establishing simple-yet-consistent self-care routines has been the most important – and oftentimes difficult – part of creating success in my life. Habits as simple as having a regular bedtime, wake-up time, and morning routine have been tantamount to my personal and professional success. And again, so simple, but things like healthy eating habits and regular movement and exercise routines allow me to stay healthy and vibrant, and able to show up as my best self for my patients.
I cannot understate the value of a good therapist, and finding guidance to work through one’s own trauma, triggers, and blind-spots. That process is generally not easy, but always worth the effort. I have done a great deal of work on myself as a person, and have been actively focusing on my own personal growth for almost 20 years. This knowledge helps me guide my patients, and allows me to ask the right questions to help them create understanding in their own lives and experiences.
Developing a sense of resilience alongside humility has been an important aspect of processing through life events, and allowing myself to find strength through the difficult times. I have learned a great deal through all of the ups and downs of my life, and know that these experiences have helped me become an incredible practitioner, who is able to hold space for my patients with empathy, compassion, and love.
The number one thing that sets me apart from other practitioners in my field is my ability to help my patients feel safe and taken care of, as well as seen and heard in a space of support and non-judgment. Feeling safe and supported is the foundation for healing, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. Combining a safe space for emotional processing with gentle, physical touch and bodywork allows for my patients to experience a loving space for healing.
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.
If we only had a day, I would spend it all at Balboa Park, seeing the Botanical Garden, Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Zoo, and possibly some museums if we still had time. My office is three blocks away from Balboa Park, and I can see the Bell Tower from outside my front door. It’s a 25-minute walk to the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is a beautiful place to go for a slow walk, or for quiet contemplation. The Botanical Garden is housed in a beautiful structure that was built for the 1915-1916 Exposition, and is filled with a colorful variety of plants, both native and non-native to the area. I would also take visitors to the San Diego Zoo. They do incredible philanthropic work in the world, and have a wide variety of botanical life, in addition to the animals.
If we had more than a day, I would take them to different areas around town and feel out whatever restaurant or eatery matched the vibe of our day. Hillcrest is one of my favorite areas in town for a lively experience, and I love the more chilled out spaces in South Park. If they’re a sports fan and visited during baseball season, I would definitely take them to a Padres game. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, they do an incredible job of getting the crowd fired up and excited, and have quite the variety of foods and sweets to enjoy (definitely check out the gelato!). There are also several lovely beaches within a short driving distance, each with its own personality and activities. I also always come prepared with sunscreen and an extra parasol, because out-of-towners often underestimate the strength of the San Diego sun.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Gretchen Seitz, Catherine Austin, and Eti Chall are three of my acupuncture school professors who took the time to connect with me in the classroom, and mentor me out in the real world. I am so grateful for their guidance and knowledge, and how that helped guide me on how to best show up for my patients, and create my perfect practice.
Website: https://www.cbirdacupuncture.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-bird-9738109/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092527623688
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/christina-bird-acupuncture-san-diego
Other: http://birdytea.com
Image Credits
Headshots by Jessie Weeks
Cacti pictures by Shadow
Building pictures by self