Meet Meghan Gray: DACM, MSHUFM, L.Ac. (or Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Nutritionist)

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

Hi Meghan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Team work. It sounds counter intuitive to go out on your own because you want to work as a team, but I realized in the first few years of my career that acupuncturists work pretty independently, even if they share a space with other practitioners. My education was very focused on integrative medicine so I learned right away the value of having multiple minds on each case that came through the door. By opening up my own clinic, it freed me to start bringing on other practitioners (so far a holistic esthetician/lymphatic massage therapist as well as an additional acupuncturist/herbalist) to comanage our patients. This is absolutely invaluable. Gua Sha facials are an essential part of our skin care patients, lymphatic massage for chemotherapy support/autoimmune patients, and two acupuncture minds are always better than one. I attribute our case success to the conversations our team has together, multiple times a week, about how to help heal our patients! We really work hard to utilize every available tool and champion for the health of the people who trust us with their care.

What should our readers know about your business?
One of the primary things that sets Balanced Thistle apart from other wellness clinics is the commitment to comanaging our patients. It’s the sit downs we have multiple times a week to make sure we’re discussing our patient cases and that each clinician is getting input from their fellow team members. I always say we are CHAMPIONS for women’s health, meaning we fight for the goals of our patients. It isn’t insane to hear us literally cheering from a treatment room when a patient hits a health goal. We get excited. We’ve brought in such unique, lovely services that I can genuinely say we are literally the only team in Northern Colorado offering this menu of care. Every service we’ve introduced came to be with great consideration behind the why, meaning there was something we were struggling with and we went searching for solutions. As a result, we offer such thorough care for women it enables us to address many different health concerns they have throughout all stages of life. As far as whether or not it was easy, the truth is, we all absolutely love, love, love what we do. So even as we’ve faced challenges along the way, it has always felt 100% worth every one of the hurdles that popped up!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much fun stuff to do in Northern Colorado, we love when people visit! If the weather is nice it’s always fun to do a little hike and meander around Old Town. Stop somewhere for some yummy food and awesome drinks (I love Blue Agave and who doesn’t enjoy hitting up the breweries on a sunny day?!). Paddle boarding on Horsetooth is definitely a favorite summertime activity for me and my husband and I love to cook big, elaborate meals entirely over a campfire (no joke!). Plus, of course, a little acupuncture and a gua sha facial is always a good time! 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?
Oh man, I could never choose just one here! Truth is, there are a LOT of people who’ve helped along the way. This mission and my vision have been supported and encouraged by more individuals than I could even count. First, and most importantly, my husband who, quite literally, got his hands dirty in the process. He customized the clinic space to the thoughts and dreams I had in my head and I’m so appreciative. Same goes for my parents who painted, pulled down gross old ceiling tiles, and helped me search the whole state for all the perfect used furniture we have! I definitely can’t ignore Dr. Elise Rigney (who owns Impact Chiropractic) and her husband Rocky Rigney! From offering me a home base when my idea was just a seed (Dr. Elise) to helping my find a new clinic space (Rocky) these two are one seriously supportive and amazing cheerleading team! Plus Women & Inc, the NoCo chapter with founder Lindsey Roselle. I was in a Mastermind group with this organization and the women I met there really helped me take the scary step from working for others to going out on my own!

Website: www.balancedthistle.com
Instagram: balancedthistle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balancedthistlenoco/

Image Credits
Sierra Ann Photography One Oak Photography