Sometimes the best opportunities don’t look like opportunity—they look like risk. Like driving hours into the mountains. Like renting a stranger’s massage room and hoping someone shows up. But there’s a strange kind of capacity that comes from following a hunch—especially the kind that seems to go against the grain.
In this conversation with Irina Cividino, we explore her unconventional path as a peripatetic acupuncturist serving remote towns in the Canadian Rockies. What started as a weekend experiment became a thriving circuit of clinics in communities with little to no access to acupuncture. Irina brings both practical wisdom and a spirit of quiet boldness to the work.
Listen into this discussion as we explore building a low-overhead mobile practice, using local Facebook groups for patient outreach, how geography shapes clinical presentations, and the surprising clarity that comes from being in motion.
This is a story about acupuncture. But more than that, it’s about trusting your instincts, listening to your patients, and crafting a life that follows your values with courage and curiosity.
In This Conversation We Discuss:
- How Irina launched her mobile practice in remote Canadian towns
- Using Facebook groups as the main marketing tool
- Serving communities with no access to acupuncture
- The financial and clinical advantages of a circuit-based model
- Balancing travel, nature, and practice
- Using palpation to build confidence and connection
- How geography influences clinical presentation
- The importance of warm feet and the magic of TDP lamps
- Scaling with minimal gear and thoughtful organization
- Providing herbal and moxa support for patients between visits
- Building strong referral networks with local practitioners
- The surprising gratitude and connection in underserved communities
- Navigating doubt, growth, and developing clinical confidence
- Advice for new practitioners on crafting a practice off the beaten path
Trust the process and the journey of being a practitioner – trust the medicine and your patient's innate ability to heal. Find a model that helps you navigate clinical challenges, find a mentor and build a support team. If you network, start with other practitioners (massage, physio etc) embrace the challenge of running a business (it will show you all of your blind spots), and KEEP practicing. There's enough room for all of us to be very successful.
Irina Cividino, R.Ac
When you’re starting out, it can be tough to get ahead, especially when you’re just thirsty for experience, struggling to pay off student debt, and haven’t figured out your style or ‘brand’.
I didn’t know where I wanted to live, so how could I decide what clinic to join? If I knew I could have mixed travel with work, I probably would have done this straight out of school. This way you get to see a variety of conditions, while meeting locals, exploring new cafes, hikes, and camping spots, and figuring out which towns fits your needs best.
When I fell upon this model, I had to give it a go! At first, I had my doubts, but then I doubled my income that first month. That grew to a 10 day trip every month, servicing 8 locations and became 75% of my wage.
It’s extremely gratifying work so I hope more acupuncturists give it a go!
Links and Resources
Irina has generously shared a PDF of everything you need to consider with putting together a mobile acupuncture clinic.
Visit Irina on her Website, Facebook or Instagram.
Irina is a huge supporter of Applied Channel Theory, so here's a place to start for those of you who want to learn more…
Check out the podcast Dialogues on Applied Channel Theory
Here's the schedule for in person courses
For in person courses offered on the East coast, contact Nyssa Tang
For courses in Canada, internships in Beijing and the online 3hr monthly series, contact Jonathan Chang
For courses in the UK, contact Jamie Hamilton
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