Meet Anna Diec | Acupuncturist

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

Hi Anna, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I have been practicing as an acupuncturist in Colorado Springs for almost 6 years now. Two questions that patients often ask me are: 1) Can Chinese medicine treat XYZ, and 2) Does it hurt? Firstly, Chinese medicine encompasses multiple modalities: acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, and other techniques. Thousands of years ago, this is what people used to treat everything, from head to foot. Secondly, people think acupuncture is painful because needles are involved. That is not true. In our clinic, people often get so relaxed on the treatment table that they even fall asleep.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Several factors distinguish me from a standard acupuncturist. One major factor is that I can customize Chinese herbal formulas for my patients. Some acupuncturists do not use herbs, or they only use the pre-made pills. At Nawei’s Acupuncture Clinic, we are able to customize the formula to address the patient as a whole. Secondly, my training in craniosacral therapy provides me with an additional tool to further assess and treat the patient. Finally, knowing Chinese allows me to study the Chinese medicine literature in its original language. This is very beneficial for me because translations often cannot capture the full essence of the original texts.

To get to where I am today, perseverance is key in overcoming challenges. Firstly, doing the dual track of ND and MSAOM at Bastyr meant many credits per quarter and long days that may go to 10 pm. Then, after graduation, there is a sharp learning curve. Real patients often do not fit the textbook description. Thirdly, building the patient base definitely took a couple years. Along this journey, self-doubt sometimes rears its head: Can I really do this, Will I be a good doctor? The answer is yes, after overcoming the obstacles with perseverance and not giving up along the way.

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?
THINGS TO DO Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines
Cave of the Winds
May Natural History Museum
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Denver Zoo
Butterfly Pavilion in Denver
Bear Creek Park and Trails

FOOD
Sherpa Garden
Saigon Cafe
Mountain Mama Natural Foods (cafe section)
Sushi Spot

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Because of 4 people, I got to where I am today. Firstly, I am most grateful for my mom Lisa Diec for encouraging me to follow my dream of becoming a doctor. When I chose to become an acupuncturist, which is not exactly mainstream medicine, she did not question me and fully supported my decision. The next two people who guided me along my journey are Drs. Farhang Khosh and Mehdi Khosh. They are naturopathic doctors certified in acupuncture. I shadowed both of them and observed how they interacted with their patients. They suggested that I go to Bastyr University for a Doctorate of Naturopathy and Master’s in Oriental Medicine. I followed their advice and achieved both degrees. Finally, I am very thankful for Dr. Nawei Jiang, my current employer and mentor. She really took me under her wing and shared with me her clinical experience and knowledge that she has gained in 20+ years of practice.

Website: https://acupuncturechinanawei.com/