PORTRAIT SERIES : DR. NATAZIA STOLBERG

Meet Dr. Natazia Stolberg, a highly skilled and dedicated acupuncturist and herbalist located in Los Angeles. With a deep understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and a passion for holistic healing, Natazia has helped numerous patients achieve optimal health and well being. With her impressive qualifications as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), she is highly regarded in her field.

Dr. Stolberg expertly utilizes her extensive understanding of the body's energy pathways and the ancient technique of acupuncture to effectively heal various health issues. Her gentle and personalized approach focuses on restoring balance and harmony within the body, promoting natural healing processes, and relieving pain and discomfort.

Beyond acupuncture, Dr. Stolberg is well-versed in herbal medicine and natural remedies. She expertly customizes herbal prescriptions to address each patient's specific health concerns, providing long-term vitality and overall well-being.

Natazia pictured wearing the Mulder Dress.

What ignited your interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine? Was studying this always the path you envisioned for yourself?

When I was in high school I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition which caused me to be in significant pain for the majority of each month. Although I received excellent western medical care, including surgery, it did little to help the symptoms I was experiencing. I was a curious teenager and googled what else I could do to help and found acupuncture. My acupuncturist absolutely changed my life. Through high school and college I was on the pre-med track so I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field,, my experience just shifted my perspective on what modality I felt I could make the biggest impact with. .

Can you pinpoint a specific moment or experience that drew you towards a more comprehensive approach to caring for the mind and body?

It wasn’t until I was in my Doctorate for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine that I fully understood the nuances of this medicine and its connection to nature. Learning how Chinese Medicine came from observing nature, the seasons and animals, I noticed how elegantly simple it really was and how those living thousands of years ago had to be so still, so observant in order to come up with the principles that are still used to this day. An acupuncture treatment is much the same, as a patient the only thing really required is to show up and lay, to allow yourself to be still, and with the pace that most of us live day to day that can sometimes be the hardest part, to put down your phone and just allow your body to rest and heal itself. I guess what I am trying to say is that a comprehensive approach can sometimes actually be found by simplifying, that you can care for your body and mind by doing less, finding stillness, reconnecting to nature and observing just for the sake of observing.

Natazia pictured wearing the Love Dress.

What are some common misconceptions surrounding Eastern Medicine and what would you tell anyone who wishes to have a clearer understanding of the practice?

I tell everyone that will listen that although acupuncture can seem magical and at times give patients rapid and unbelievable results, there are MANY cases which are complicated and take time and patience. Most of my patients have chronic conditions that have developed over years, and it would be unreasonable to think that we can restore balance to the body and heal from disease overnight. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative and the best results come when patients follow a carefully laid out treatment plan from their practitioner. It never fails when you hear someone say ‘acupuncture doesn’t work’ they likely only went once or twice or their treatments were so spread out it is not surprising they didn’t see long lasting results. Listen to the recommendations of your practitioner and trust that they know how and when this medicine works best, follow their advice and fully commit to the process.

What motivated you to establish your own practice? What about having a private practice interests you?

After spending the last 2 years establishing and building out a Chinese Medicine Department at a well known social wellness club in Los Angeles I found myself distracted by the corporate structure and people management and really had to re-prioritize myself and why I became a practitioner in the first place. The thing that brings me the most joy is being with my patients and watching them achieve their goals. In order to give them my full attention I decided to simplify and open my own practice, The Wei Clinic. In doing so I saw how much my previous stress was actually affecting my patients and their outcomes and since having my own studio I have never been busier or had better results. I am also a very independent person so having the freedom to just make a decision or a change and only answer to myself is incredible!

Natazia pictured wearing the Margaux Top and Skirt.

Do you have any daily rituals or routines to keep yourself feeling your best?

The morning routine that my fiance and I share is the only real constant. We wake quite early, I make coffee while she makes the bed and takes out the dog and we meet on the couch and try to spend an hour together, talking, reading or watching a little TV. It feels so good to move into the day slowly and most of all to be awake when the world is still quiet outside. After that hour the day is always different!

Tell us about the herbal tea you developed, what are some of the healing benefits?

Dr. Stolberg’s REST + DIGEST is a daily herbal tea that stops bloating and optimizes digestion. While I was in my Doctorate I experienced mystery bloating and like to say I was ‘bloated and confused’ which I have now come to learn is quite common. I drank a version of this tea twice per day for 60 days and completely reset my gut. Over the years I changed the blend a bit and prescribed it to patients who all had the same incredible results that I did. Because there will always be a limit on the number of patients I can physically see and help I started selling this tea online to give people relieve of their digestive symptoms and our most common review is “the only thing that has ever worked”. Giving people back the joy that should accompany food is the best feeling in the world! REST + DIGEST is best after your largest meal (for me thats dinner) and the herbs in it help your body produce more digestive enzymes naturally so you are able to break down the food that you ate in the most efficient manner. The tea also increases bile which helps with breaking down fats and its why the tea is so loved after an indulgent meal out! REST + DIGEST also has antispasmodic effects which calms pain associated with bloating, cramping and gas while simultaneously being anti-inflammatory and calming to the digestive system to reduce sensitivities to foods.Lastly, the herbs are warming in nature, as well as the tea being warm in temperature, together this helps strengthen digestion!

What does wellness mean to you personally?

Wellness is all about ease for me - feeling ease in whatever I choose to do, be that waking up and going for a long hike or indulging in delicious food without it impacting my digestion. When days or weeks go by and I can look back and notice how everything was easy and in flow that is when I know I am in a moment of true wellness.

Do you have a go-to item in your wardrobe?

Vintage Levi’s are a staple in my wardrobe. I love collecting them, they each are so unique and I find them to be simple and effortless!

What does your personal style say about you?

My personal style is simple and minimalistic, less is more is a tenant that I follow in most parts of my life, including my treatment with patients. I try to show up in my personal and professional life in a very similar way style wise. I have never understood why you need to have ‘work clothes’ that are completely different from what you would normally wear. This feels impersonal to me. In our school clinic so much emphasis was placed on looking professional and we were made to wear the most horrendous white coat and I remember thinking I would do it all different once I was licensed and on my own.

What do you hope your patients take away from their sessions with you?

I want all of my patients to feel empowered. Most patients come in confused and disconnected from their bodies with a sense that they cannot control how they feel on a day to day basis. When I discharge patients or put them on maintenance plans I want them to really understand what makes them feel good, what doesn’t make them feel good, what tools do they have at their disposal to keep themselves ‘well’.

Current disposition?

Expansive

DR. NATAZIA STOLBERG

@dr.nataziazustolberg