Meet Corinne Lohss: Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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

Hi Corinne, what inspires you?
As an acupuncturist I am inspired by many things relating to health, wellness, and the people that promote these ideals, but I would have to say what I am most inspired and driven by is the natural world. I have always felt a deep connection with my environment- having a sense of place in the world and respect for it frames what I do and has been a strong guide for me in my life and acupuncture practice. I think that is part of the reason I was drawn to Chinese Medicine, as it is very much rooted in our relationship with nature. To me it is all about living in harmony with our surroundings, and finding that balance so we can exist and thrive in a healthy way. For example, on a very basic level and to just give you the tiniest snapshot of what Chinese Medicine is about, think about heat and cold. These two elements exist in nature and also in the human body. If there is excess heat in the system (think inflammation, fever, red sore throat, etc), we need to clear the heat to cool down, and if there is cold (think the common cold, joint pain worse with winter weather etc.) we need to expel the cold and warm the area so that we can be in homeostasis. Our environment directly impacts the ways in which we are exposed to these two elements, and how our bodies deal with them. These are just some of the ways we can think about Chinese Medicine and how it relates to our surroundings. Not only am I inspired by the natural world in a theoretical and ideological way, I also love being outside and getting to be in nature as much as possible. I love hiking, camping, skiing, gardening, just about everything. Because I love being outdoors and spending time in nature I am also passionate about protecting the environment. If things get out of balance in our environment we will also feel that imbalance physically. I recently just switched to all organic cotton linens for my practice and I try to use natural cleaners/detergents whenever possible. I recycle all paper and plastic waste from the acupuncture needle packaging and am always looking for new ways to be “greener.” For me I believe that no matter what sector of business you are in there is always room to be a champion for the earth, and this will trickle down and affect the health and wellness of people in a deep and meaningful way. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a small acupuncture practice in Northwest Denver called Bristlecone Wellness. I picked this name because bristlecone pines are some of the oldest trees on the planet, and to many they symbolize strength in adversity. They survive in very harsh climates, can get hit by lighting and yet still thrive. I like this symbol that this invokes for people as well, as we are constantly dealing with hardships, physical, mental, and emotional, and we need to find ways to flourish when faced with all of life’s difficulties (can you say global pandemic?)! I practice Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and prescribe Chinese herbal formulas. I have a hands-on approach to working with patients, and often incorporate a lot of Asian body work styles into my treatments, regardless of what patients are coming in for. One of my passions is treating women’s health. As a woman and new mother, I know firsthand many of the issues women deal with, ranging from painful periods, fertility issues, support during pregnancy and the postpartum period. I recently expanded my practice and added another practitioner, Michelle Dorak, L.Ac. She joined when I went on maternity leave and has stayed on since I returned. She is a wonderful addition to the practice. She also has a broad range of treatment but focuses a lot on treating trauma, PTSD, as well as issues around the immune system. I am so lucky to have her. I think what sets Bristlecone Wellness apart from other acupuncture practices is that while we provide Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we also offer a range of other services. I have extra training in bodywork styles including Thai Yoga Massage, Shiatsu as well as Tui Na. I like to offer a lot of bodywork to my patients as I feel it complements the treatments very well. I also offer bodywork only sessions for people who are needle averse. Both Michelle and I are also certified yoga instructors so we have a deep understanding of body mechanics. I am also trained in Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture for people who want a natural and non-invasive approach to more vibrant and young looking skin. I also include the use of LED light therapy in my practice, especially for cosmetic acupuncture but really for anyone who might benefit from it. Getting to where I am today has not been easy, but I love what I do so it never truly feels like work. Growing the business has followed a slower, but natural progression. Having a baby has certainly slowed things down even more business-wise but has also helped me learn some important things about work life balance, which is so important for everyone’s sanity and vitality. Some other valuable things I have learned along the way include that it is always a good idea to ask for help. It is impossible to try and do everything yourself. A lot of people view asking for help and needing others to support you as a weakness, but I see it as a strength. Community is truly a blessing. Dealing with this pandemic and being in this field has also proven to have its challenges, but we are all doing the best we can with the circumstances, and I feel like we are able to practice acupuncture safely during this time. I’d say overall the things I want people to know about Bristlecone Wellness is that we are a patient centered practice. It really is about what you need to feel your best. We listen and really tailor the treatment to you. Additionally, something that I am proud of is that we strive to have a an environmentally friendly business. As mentioned earlier I use organic cotton linens, natural detergents/cleaners when possible, and we recycle all paper and plastic waste at the clinic. Having a more environmentally friendly business model appeals to many clients, and they can have one more reason to feel good about coming to our clinic. Recently I have also started donating a percentage of profits to different organizations. I love being able to give back to people and groups doing important work.

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 you had asked me this question before I had a baby and before the Covid pandemic, I would probably have had a lot of different answers for you. But here are some things that I used to enjoy frequently and hope to return to sooner than later: •Hanging out at Red Rocks has always been one of my go-to activities. Even if there is not a concert going on you can always check out the museum there, go for a short hike (Matthew Winters trail is right there), or just enjoy the view. •I also love Sloan’s Lake Park. I used to live a block off the park so would spend a lot of time walking around there. •Neighborhoods that I find are fun to hang out in are Berkeley, Rino, and Highlands Square. •My favorite coffee shops in the Denver area are Pablo’s, Huckleberry, and Sweet Bloom. I always used to take people who were visiting to one if not all of those spots. •My go to quick breakfast place is The Wooden Spoon. I have never had something from there that wasn’t mouthwateringly delicious. •One of my favorite lunch spots is Vert Kitchen. Everything there is a home run for me! •For dinner I am a big fan of Spuntino, Brazen, Barolo Grill (special occasions), and Safta. For more casual dining or take out I often frequent Hops N’ Pie, The Spice Room, Fire on the Mountain and Vital Root. I could go on and on, I love food! •I don’t get the opportunity much anymore, but for a very tasty and beautiful cocktail, I love the Tatarian. Their drinks are like works of art. •If I am in the mood for ice cream, I enjoy Little Man or Sweet Action.

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?
There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today. I am very grateful for all my teachers at Southwest Acupuncture College. They pushed and challenged me to see the world in different ways, dig deeper and ask the right questions to get to the proper diagnosis. I wouldn’t be the practitioner I am today without them. I am also incredibly thankful for my husband and family members, who put up with my long hours of studying in school, and were often my guinea pigs for acupuncture point location practice. Also, I wouldn’t have made it through school without my classmates. I felt like we were in the trenches together and often needed each other to get through the tough classes and board exams! Thank you all for your support!

Website: http://www.bristleconewellness.com
Instagram: bristlecone_wellness
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-lohss-709619154/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bristleconewellness

Image Credits
Lashley Rhodes, Alexander Frank