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

Hi Elaina, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Forgive me, I can’t narrow it down to just one important decision but I can give you my top three. 1. To listen to my heart, to listen to other’s hearts, and to stay connected to heart. 2. To honor my patients by continuing my education and love of learning about health and medicine. 3. To be true to my word and speak from heart.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy professionally is my passion for learning and the dedication I have to my patients. My favorite “type of patient” are those people who have tried everything to feel better, but have come up with mixed results. They are so committed to healing and yet can be stuck in a web of restriction (dietary restriction, physical restriction, emotional feedback loops, etc.).

Chinese medicine is infinitely deep. It looks at the body from a macrocosmic lens, which is in distinct difference to Western medicine that just gets more and more specialized and myopic. I’m not saying that Western medicine doesn’t have its place. It absolutely does and I work closely with doctors of various specialities – rheumatologists, immunologists, orthopedists, endocrinologists, OB/GYNs, GPs, etc. There is just a group of patients who are underserved by the Western medical community and that is where I get to step in.
Outside of my practice, I study with a classical Chinese herbalist and other mentors, diving and decoding 5,000 year old texts. Interestingly enough, these old writings can effectively be applied to modern conditions – especially autoimmune diseases of which I have a special interest in.  Learning about the true foundations of Chinese medicine is like learning to code. Without this knowledge, a practitioner is on a “user level” of application. By understanding the depth and richness of these ancient texts, we are able to apply and create an individualized effective treatment for complex conditions. 
 
Through my study outside of my professional practice, I get to indulge in my love of learning and also continuously make myself a better practitioner to my patients who I adore. I’m lucky to have a career that effectively “checks all the boxes” for what I love to spend my time doing – learning and being of service to others. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would do a mountain to beach day starting with a great hike. I love hiking at Charmlee Wilderness Area in Malibu, but that has been closed for habitat restoration since the fires a few years ago. Since then, I have found Backbone Trail off Kanan Road and really love the plants and geography there. After working up a good sweat, we would cool off at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. I would then round out the night with tacos al pastor from Leo’s Taco Truck on Venice and La Brea.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
1. My husband and family who have been a tireless support of my dreams and commitment to my practice of medicine. 2. My mentors and colleagues – Thea Elijah, L.Ac.; Dr. Anne Jeffres, L.Ac., DAOM; Sharon Weizenbaum, L.Ac., Dr. Weiyin Ding, L.Ac. MD (PRC), Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin, M.S., L.Ac. DAOM

Website: www.elainagreenberg.com
Instagram: @elainaglac
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaina-greenberg-m-s-l-ac-19832b10/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElainaGreenbergAcupuncture/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elaina-greenberg-ms-lac-los-angeles

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