Meet CHRISTY KENNEDY | Licensed Acupuncturist and Board Certified Neurofeedback Practitioner

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

Hi CHRISTY, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I started my acupuncture practice at 32, it was all-in. I was fueled by passion and a deep sense of purpose, but I didn’t have kids yet, so most of my energy went into building the business. I worked long hours, wore every hat, and said yes to everything.

Once I had my kids in 2012 and 2015, everything shifted. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a practitioner—I was a mom, too. That forced me to rethink what “productive” looked like. I became more efficient, better at prioritizing, and more intentional with my time. There were definitely seasons that felt out of balance—especially during growth spurts in the business or big transitions at home—but over time, I got better at setting boundaries and asking for help.

Expanding to multiple locations and hiring employees gave me space to step back from doing everything myself. That was a big turning point. Adding neurofeedback two years ago brought new energy into the practice, but also new learning curves, so it required another recalibration.

How do you think about balance now?

I don’t see balance as a fixed point—it’s more like a rhythm that changes with the seasons of life and business. For me, it’s not about dividing time evenly between work and family; it’s about making sure both get the energy they need, when they need it.

I think of balance now as being intentional with my time:

Delegating what I don’t need to do

Blocking off time for family and personal care before the calendar fills up

Creating a business that supports my life—not the other way around

Some weeks are more work-heavy, others more family-focused. But as long as I’m staying connected to my purpose, showing up where it matters, and creating space to recharge, I consider that balance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My path to becoming a board-certified acupuncturist and neurofeedback practitioner wasn’t linear—but it was intentional. It started with curiosity and a deep desire to understand how people heal, and it’s led me to build a career and a business rooted in both science and soul.

The Origin Story
I earned my BA in Medical Anthropology with a minor in Health, driven by a fascination with how different cultures view illness, healing, and the mind-body connection. After graduating, I became a licensed massage therapist, working hands-on with clients for five years. Those years taught me the power of touch, presence, and how physical symptoms often speak emotional truths.

Then came one of the most formative experiences of my life: I joined the Peace Corps. During my service, I was exposed to community-based herbal therapies and witnessed firsthand how deeply health is tied to tradition, environment, and access. It was there that my appreciation for holistic medicine expanded and deepened.

After returning to the U.S., I moved to California and began working at a wellness center owned by an acupuncturist. That experience changed everything. I watched clients transform—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and I knew I had found my calling. With encouragement from that mentor, I pursued my Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As part of my training, I completed a clinical internship in Chengdu, China, working alongside doctors in integrative hospital settings. It was humbling and eye-opening, and it further solidified my commitment to bridging Eastern and Western perspectives on healing.

How I Got to Where I Am Today
In 2009, I opened my first acupuncture clinic at age 32. It was just me and a deep belief in the work. Over the years, I added services, welcomed more patients, and eventually expanded to three locations across Denver, Golden, and Brighton. I hired my first employees, building a team aligned with my values.

Two years ago, I added neurofeedback to our offerings. It felt like the perfect complement—modern, brain-based, and deeply aligned with the goal of restoring balance from the inside out.

Was It Easy? No. Was It Worth It? Absolutely.
Balancing motherhood (my children were born in 2012 and 2015) with business ownership was incredibly challenging. There were seasons where everything felt stretched thin—sleep, time, energy, even belief in myself. But I kept going. I learned to delegate, to trust others, and to define success on my own terms.

I didn’t come from a business background. I learned by doing—sometimes the hard way. But every misstep sharpened my clarity and taught me to lead with both heart and strategy.

What Sets Me Apart
I’m not just an acupuncturist or a neurofeedback provider—I’m someone who’s lived every layer of the healing journey, personally and professionally. My work is informed by years of clinical experience, cross-cultural training, and a deep respect for the human story.

I’m also proud to be the only board-certified neurofeedback practitioner in the Brighton area, offering care that blends ancient wisdom with neuroscience.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the community we’ve built, the lives we’ve touched, and the integrity we’ve maintained while growing. I’m proud that my business supports not just our clients, but my family, my team, and our broader community.

And I’m proud that I’ve created a life where work supports my well-being instead of consuming it—a balance I had to fight for, and one I now help others achieve.

Lessons Learned
Healing is a relationship, not a transaction. People need to feel seen to truly heal.

Growth doesn’t require burnout. Sustainable success is possible.

The body keeps the score—and it also holds the wisdom. Whether through needles or neurofeedback, we can access it.

What I Want the World to Know
My brand isn’t just about acupuncture or brain training—it’s about reconnection. To your body, your mind, your purpose. Healing isn’t a luxury. It’s your birthright.

This work is my life’s calling—and I’m honored to share it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1 – Welcome to Denver!

Breakfast: Snooze (Union Station or 7th & Colorado) – for killer breakfast tacos and a retro-chic vibe.

Explore: Walk through RiNo Art District – murals, galleries, indie shops. Maybe stop at Denver Central Market for a snack.

Evening Drinks: Rooftop cocktails at The Woods at The Source Hotel.

Dinner: Root Down – seasonal, creative, and absolutely Denver.

Day 2 – Golden Day

Morning Hike: South Table Mountain or Chimney Gulch Trail – views without the I-70 traffic.

Lunch: Sherpa House – cozy Himalayan food in downtown Golden.

Afternoon Chill: Walk Clear Creek, grab coffee at Cafe 13, visit the Colorado School of Mines Museum (geology nerds rejoice).

Dinner & Drinks: The Golden Mill – modern food hall with rooftop views and self-pour craft beer.

Day 3 – Boulder Bound

Brunch: The Buff – for legendary pancakes and breakfast cocktails.

Adventure: Hike the Flatirons or take a meditative walk through Chautauqua Park.

Wellness Stop: The Dragontree Spa or a soak in Eldorado Springs (if open).

Evening: Dinner at Oak at Fourteenth, then stroll Pearl Street.

Day 4 – Brighton & Local Wellness Tour

Morning: Visit my clinic (of course!) for a neurofeedback session or acupuncture tune-up.

Lunch: Main Street Cafe – casual local favorite.

Nature Time: Walk the Barr Lake State Park loop.

Dinner: Head back to Denver for Comal Heritage Food Incubator – food with a mission, and so much heart.

Day 5 – Chill + Cultural Day

Morning: Coffee at Novo or Aviano in Cherry Creek, followed by a slow morning at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Midday: Visit Meow Wolf – immersive, mind-bending art meets sci-fi meets pure fun.

Dinner: Annette in Stanley Marketplace – James Beard-nominated food in a cool repurposed airport hangar.

Day 6 – Mountain Magic (Mini Road Trip)

Day Trip: Head to Idaho Springs for a soak at Indian Hot Springs, then brunch at Beau Jo’s (Colorado-style pizza!).

Optional: Keep driving to Georgetown for a cute mountain town vibe or Echo Lake for alpine air.

Evening Return: Cozy dinner at The Wolf’s Tailor or order in something comforting and stay in with wine + a movie.

Day 7 – Wrap-Up With Heart

Breakfast: Lucile’s for Southern-style brunch.

Reflection Time: Visit Red Rocks—even if there’s no concert, it’s sacred and scenic. A great place to sit, talk, and reflect.

Farewell Toast: Drinks and small plates at El Five—panoramic views of Denver’s skyline to end the trip on a high note.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been reflecting on how far we’ve come—both in life and in business—and I know without a doubt that we didn’t get here alone. My husband has been a steady source of strength through every chapter: from the early days of building my practice, to raising our kids, to expanding into new services and locations. His support, patience, and belief in me have been the foundation for so much of what we’ve built.

And beyond just the two of us, I’m deeply aware that our success is woven from the love, mentorship, and encouragement of so many others—family, friends, colleagues, teachers, and clients who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Every step forward has been touched by someone else’s generosity, wisdom, or helping hand.

Where we are today is not just the result of hard work, but of shared effort and deep gratitude.

Website: https://www.integratedwellnessassociates.com

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