Meet Donald Spears, ND, MSOM, LAc | Holistic Doctor & Acupuncturist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donald Spears, ND, MSOM, LAc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donald, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After finishing a 6-year graduate degree in Naturopathic and Chinese medicine, I was considering the different career pathways ahead. Unlike the conventional medical profession, opportunities in the holistic medical field after graduating are limited. Most graduates apply for a limited number of residencies or join a pre-existing practice as an independent contractor.

I chose and was selected to complete a 1-year residency at my school’s Clinic. Residency was a wonderful experience. I was able to continue to study under my mentors while seeing a large number of patients.

As my residency was coming to a an end, I had to make the decision to either join a pre-existing practice or start my own clinic. If I am being honest, I was really nervous to start my own clinic. Most of my mentors discouraged new graduates from going out on their own. They found that the failure and burnout rate was high. They suggested working for an established clinic in order to get more experience before going out on your own. And so, I was looking into joining an existing practice. But as I read the job offers, I found that the job descriptions did not align with my values. In the holistic medical field, a standard of care does not exist; this gives the doctor the ability to utilize whichever modality or remedy that they think would work best for the unique presentation of the patient. I really appreciate and enjoy this freedom. Often with new grad positions, this freedom is limited as a good amount of their time is spent offering high priced modalities such as IV therapy.

Around this time I was connected with the Craig Mehrmann, the Executive Director and founder of Whole Systems Healthcare (WSHC). He shared his vision of the non-profit as the first truly integrative healthcare. We shared a lot of values and ultimately I decided to join their vision.

As a brand new non-profit without grant money or funds, it was up to me to personally finance the opening of my holistic clinic in Boulder, CO. The team at WSHC offered me a lot of support, which made the process feel less daunting.

Ultimately, the driver for me starting my own clinic was the desire to practice the way I wanted to practice, so that I could follow and trust in what I believed was best for my patients.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a holistic doctor and clinic director at Whole Systems Healthcare Boulder. I practice naturopathic and Chinese medicine that is salutogenic in nature; this means that I focus on health promotion rather than disease promotion.

Most doctors, focus on what is wrong with the body, a pathogenic, disease-model. I like to focus on what is right in the body as I believe that our body’s are innately wise and ultimately know how to heal on their own; this may see like a strange sentiment and yet we have all witnessed how the body heals a skin abrasion on its own. When our body is stuck and having a hard time healing on its own, it communicates its dis-ease through symptoms. By piecing together the symptoms over time, a story of movement away from health reveals itself. And with this understanding, the appropriate steps to restore health can be implemented.

A truly salutogenic way of practicing is not common because it requires a paradigm shift. We have been unconsciously conditioned to not trust our body. Have a headache, take this pain reliever. Have high blood pressure, take this medication. Have fibroids, do this surgery. We conventionally remedy symptoms and ailments by making them go away. Suppression. The body can only take so much suppression before those ailments go deeper. When we trust our body, we know that there is a reason and purpose behind its expression. And when we figure out the reason or purpose, ie the root cause, we can resolve, rather than suppress the symptoms.

What I love most about holistic medicine is that it is empowering. The patient heals themselves. It isn’t a medication, supplement, protocol, acupuncture or bodywork. Rather, it is how the body interfaces with those inputs and then reacts. No fixes! Just self-empowering healing. Does that resonate with you? I would say the majority of people I talk to say, ‘yeah, that resonates with me!’

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?
Oh, this is challenging. I really like to play host and curate experiences that match my guests preferences. And it would change based on the season. So if it was a best friend of mine, they would most likely like all the things I like. In that case we would:

Activities: hike to alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness, SUP Lake McIntosh, attend a few Ape CO movement classes, mountain bike the Boulder trails, put them in a bee suit and have them help me work my hives.

Entertainment: catch a Red Rocks concert, a Colorado Symphony concert, a Rockies Game

Food and Drink: Stem Cidery, Rosetta Hall, Avanti, The Kitchen, Trident

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It would have been more of a struggle starting my clinic without the help of the executive team at Whole Systems Healthcare. They provided the structure and organization which allowed me to focus my attention marketing, networking, administration and of course, patient care. Without their support and direction, it would have been quite the challenge!

I also want thank my wife and colleague, Shannon Curtis. Her love and encouragement kept me going during the difficult spells. She boosted me up when I was feeling low and reminded me of my visions and goals when I was feeling stuck.

Website: https://wshcare.org/boulder/

Instagram: wshc.boulder

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ donald-spears-nd-msom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSHCBoulder

Youtube: @wshcare