Meet Dr. Allison Blacutt | Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Herbalist, Holistic Wellness Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Allison Blacutt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Allison, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
For me, the most important factor behind the success of my business and brand is operating from the heart and from a place of love. I know it can sound cheesy, however I truly believe it all comes down to this. I started my clinic, Ritual Medicine California, because I believed that wellness needed to be moved back into our heart space. I wanted to ritualize or bring back the sacredness into taking care of our bodies. When we are observing healthcare in this way and the practices around it, we are approaching wellness intentionally and ultimately operating from love. And let me tell you, our bodies feel it when we are truly operating from love!

I know that my skills as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Herbalist and Holistic Wellness Therapist have prepared me for success in my practice. I have spent nearly nine years studying various healing modalities to prepare myself to step into this role and to facilitate the wellness experience in others. All these things have greatly influenced my clinic space, however ultimately, I know that my success in treatment and my business boils down to my ability to connect, without judgement, to the patients who come in to see me. It is my ability to see them as they are, complete beings radiating love who simply may be stuck in a particular health hurdle at the moment. Seeing them in this light and facilitating their return to a state of balance and wellbeing is a huge part of what makes me so great at what I do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the owner and operator of Ritual Medicine California, a wellness space in Mission Valley, San Diego. I practice modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, energetic body work, cupping, crystal healing, and holistic wellness counseling. I am passionate about bringing the intention and reverence back into health care and medicine. I work with each patient in a completely individualized and heart centered treatment plan. My specialties in care are mental health, trauma, addiction, women’s health, chronic pain and chronic stress.

I went through some incredibly difficult experiences and traumas in my teenage years. I found myself in a really dark and scary place and spent several years focusing inward to move through this muck. For a long time I really thought the darkness in these years would be the defining moment of my life. I can now see that it was the healing from these traumas that grew to have the greatest impact on who I am today. My trials and tribulations have shown me that sometimes it is the darkest moments that lead us to the brightest of lights. We all go through difficulties and the only way we can really weather the strongest of storms is together.

These experiences led me to begin my exploration of the wellness space pursuing a career in mental health as a therapist. From very early on it became clear to me that my place in the world was working with others to move through their own challenges. I always knew I had this ability to connect and connect deep. During my undergraduate degree studies in Psychology, I began to explore the idea of the mind-body-spirit connection and its implications to the treatment of mental health. This exploration eventually led me to the world of Acupuncture. Pretty much after my first session on the table, I knew this was the path I wanted to follow. I enrolled shortly after in the Doctoral Program at Pacific College of Health and Science San Diego (PCHS).

The road to where I am today certainly was not easy. The four year doctorate program was incredibly rigorous and very demanding. I continued to work in bars and restaurants throughout its entirety. I often felt a huge divide in worlds when getting out of class or the clinic and running to work a night shift at the bar. It was difficult at times to keep up with both worlds, but I also am incredibly thankful I had the financial support of my evening jobs and the support from all my coworkers. Thank you to every manager who saw me studying during shift and didn’t tell me to put the books away! To everyone who picked up a shift for me to study! The restaurant industry can be really tough but also has such strong family energy. I learned so many skills and made so many wonderful connections during my years working hospitality. A huge part of my practice is also focused on giving back to those in this industry. I am always running special discounts for my friends in the service industry!

Overall the greatest thing I have learned thus far in my journey to open my own practice is the importance of staying true to myself. I always had a vision of where I was headed. I knew it was important to just keep moving forward, even when it wasn’t quite clear how all the pieces would fit together. Sometimes the path does not appear completely until you get to higher ground and have a better view. I’ve learned the importance of trusting in the divine plan and staying the course even when things don’t make complete sense yet. The universe rewards action and when we keep pushing forward on our goals, eventually we reap the rewards.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego is such an amazing city! I have lived here almost fourteen years now and very happy to call it home. We have so many good spots and activities. If I had to show someone around for my absolute favorites I definitely would start it with a walk on Sunset Cliffs with my pup. I never get over those views. I love OB in general and definitely would also stop to post up in the grass on Saratoga street for some beach side flow sessions. I love the flow arts and have been hula hooping since the start of the pandemic. It has quickly become a huge passion for me. I love to gather by the beach with friends to flow or spin fire.

I also would not miss a picnic at the park. I love Kate Session, Grant Hill Park, or my neighborhood park Ward Canyon. I LOVE my longtime neighborhood, Normal Heights. Blind Lady Ale house and Polite Provisions are old favorites there. I also would not miss a night out for dinner in Little Italy. I love Herb and Wood, Ironside, Born and Raised. There are so many great restaurants, all over the city but especially Little Italy. After dinner calls for dancing. While I don’t drink anymore, I do absolutely love to loose myself on the dance floor and would have to check out Music Box or Spin Nightclub to see who’s playing.

Finally, if I was showing off San Diego in all its glory, I wouldn’t miss a trip to Mt. Laguna. I love going out to the mountains and appreciate having this beautiful area so close to San Diego. I love to go camping out that way or even just stay for a long hike, an evening picnic, or just a drive exploring down Sunset Highway.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate this Shoutout to my amazing parents! They have supported me through so many different stages of life and really believed in me during it all. Secondly, I would like to send some love to all my teachers and mentors at PCHS here in San Diego, who trained me to be such a skilled, curious, and open hearted practitioner. Can’t forget all my wonderful colleagues who have become family. Thanks for pushing me to be the best practitioner, friend, and spiritual being that I can be! Thirdly and very importantly, to all my amazing patients! I learn as much from my patients as they do from me. The healing process continues to awe and inspire me daily and most of that is due to the wonderful souls who grace my clinic. Working with you all is truly an honor and I am blessed to get to do what I love everyday.

Website: Ritualmedicine.com

Instagram: Ritual.medicine.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/ritualmedicine

Other: Email: allison.blacutt@ritualmedicine.com

Image Credits
All photos by Mario Covic Photography