Meet Christian Iwanicki of Soul Arrow Acupuncture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Iwanicki.

Christian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My acupuncture journey began when I was 15 years old and sustained a concussion and broken ribs from a horseback riding accident on a temperamental horse. My mother had found relief for chronic migraines through acupuncture, and when Western medicine was unable to relieve my post-concussive symptoms and pain, she took me to see her acupuncturist. I knew as soon as I entered the acupuncturist’s office that it was what I would do for a living someday.

At the age of 24, I began struggling with unexplained health issues that once again, Western medicine was unable to treat. Life took some twists and turns but eventually at the age of 27, deeply affected by mysterious symptoms. I enrolled in the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, California. It was through my schooling and acupuncture that I slowly but surely began to heal.

I graduated in 2019 with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and became licensed in California that year. My family would be called to Tennessee in 2021 and Soul Arrow Acupuncture was created in April of 2022 in Mt. Juliet.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been interesting, to say the least! I opened my first practice in California one month before the pandemic hit. Navigating an alternative health practice during that time was incredibly difficult. After moving to Tennessee, I questioned having my own business as the start was rocky and I decided to practice acupuncture at a day spa instead.

I do believe that life will always point you toward your true calling through whatever means, and in February 2022, my brother suddenly passed away. His death upended my world but brought so much clarity to what I feel my purpose is. Soul Arrow Acupuncture was created in honor of him as a way to serve others wholeheartedly in this short time here on earth.

This has not been easy but I am so thankful to have found meaning through his life and his death.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a licensed acupuncturist, but acupuncture is just part of my practice. It is important to understand that Chinese medicine is a complex and unique system that utilizes specific dietary, herbal, and lifestyle principles to promote true, holistic health, as well as needles. In my treatments, bodywork techniques such as Cupping and Gua Sha (scraping) are supportive modalities of acupuncture. I truly believe that acupuncture can treat any illness, and therefore I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades acupuncturist, however, the conditions I treat most frequently are back pain, anxiety, and metabolic/hormonal dysfunction.

I believe that what sets me apart as an acupuncturist is the amount of time I spend with my clients. I practice a Japanese style of acupuncture that is very hands-on and lets the client’s body direct the treatment. I encourage my clients to take their health into their own hands, listen to their bodies, and actively participate in their health, as opposed to looking for a quick fix.

What I am most proud of and would like potential clients to understand is the relational dynamic that is created between myself and my clients. There is no greater honor than for a client to allow me to support their health journey and I believe that the acupuncturist/client relationship is less of a service, but rather an energetic exchange built on mutual trust, respect, intuition, and communication. I’d like readers to know that working with me is a process and a relationship.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see acupuncture and Chinese medicine taking off as a common first approach to treating health disorders. We are already seeing acupuncture covered by more health insurance companies, which is a great sign! I also see community-style acupuncture taking off.

Community acupuncture is group acupuncture where all the clients are in one room. It is a way to offer quality care at a more affordable price. Soul Arrow Acupuncture has recently added community acupuncture as an option!

Pricing:

• Initial Client Appointments $100
• Follow up Appointments are $80
• Community Acupuncture Initial Appointment $40
• Community Acupuncture Follow-Up $30

Contact Info:

• Website: soularrowacupuncture.com
• Instagram: @soularrowacupuncture

Image Credits
Kim Thomas and Southern Social