Why I Named My Business Basic Balance: Keeping It Simple

Part 1 of 2

A cozy corner in the Basic Balance waiting room

When I named my clinic Basic Balance, I did it with a very intentional mindset: to reflect the idea that healing doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I believe that true wellness often comes from doing less, not more.

I’m not a fan of popping pills—whether they're pharmaceuticals or supplements. And yes, that includes vitamins, herbs, and minerals. While these tools can be incredibly helpful, I believe our bodies are already wise. They’re designed to heal, regulate, and thrive—if we give them the space and support to do so. Not override them.

That said, the point isn’t to avoid taking things altogether. The real point is how you think about what you take. If you believe your body isn’t good enough on its own—that it constantly needs fixing, upgrading, or medicating—that mindset can create stress, not healing. Supplements and herbs should serve you, not the other way around.

The shift happens when you choose to take something with clarity and intention. When you know why you’re taking it, and you do so with a sense of empowerment, not dependence. That’s when these tools become truly supportive—not because you need them, but because they enhance your wellbeing.

Learning the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

Years ago, I worked in the Whole Body Department at Whole Foods, where I could try just about anything for free. I fell into the trap of thinking

I needed a remedy for every little imbalance:

Tired? Take B vitamins!

Stressed? Ashwagandha!

Wired? Chamomile!

PMS? Cravings? No appetite? There was always something on the shelf.

But over time, I realized what I actually

needed most of the time was… the basics:

More water.

More sleep.

More deep breaths.

A yoga class.

A good cry.

A jog.

A moment of stillness.

A pause to journal.

Not a capsule. Not a tincture. Not another task on my “health to-do list.”

The Overcomplication of Lemon Water:

Take lemon water. So simple, right? And yet, even that can turn into an ordeal:

Is it organic?

Should it be warm or cold?

Is my filter good enough?

What about my tooth enamel?

At some point, we just need to drink the water.

Throw in a straw. Don’t overthink it. The consistency will come, and so will the motivation to seek out organic lemons or higher-quality water. But first, start where you are. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Actually, it doesn’t even need to be close.

The Kale Paradox

And then there's kale. One day it’s a superfood; the next, people are warning that it’s “bad for your thyroid,” “hard to digest,” or “too cooling.” Suddenly, eating a simple leafy green becomes a mental tug-of-war.

The truth? Kale has both helpful and not-so-helpful qualities—like most things. It’s nutrient-rich, supports detox pathways, and can be a great addition to your meals if it works for your body. But you don’t have to force it down if it makes you bloated or if you simply don’t like it.

The goal isn’t to eat the perfect food—it’s to listen to your body, notice how you feel, and choose accordingly. If that means cooked spinach instead of raw kale, great. If it means skipping greens altogether that day and just having soup, also great. You are not failing at health because you didn’t eat kale.

Check In, Don’t Take Over

At Basic Balance, I invite patients to check in regularly with how they feel—and to respond with care, not control.

Feeling tense? Roll out your shoulders and neck.

Feeling drained? Ease up where you can, and go to bed early tonight.

Feeling down? Pamper yourself. Warm a rice pack, call a friend, make tea, sit under a blanket.

No need to fix everything immediately. Just notice what’s going on, and meet yourself with kindness. Sometimes that’s the most healing thing you can do.

Allowing vs. Doing

We live in a culture that celebrates doing more. But I think healing happens when we allow more space.

Space to feel.

Space to listen.

Space to choose what really matters.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself:“Am I doing this because it’s aligned with what I need—or because fear or adrenaline is steering the ship?”

Your body holds so much wisdom. Basic Balance is about trusting that wisdom and learning how to respond with simple, supportive choices.

This is part one of a two-part blog. In Part 2, I’ll share exactly what I take—my go-to herbs and supplements, how I use them, and why. Some I take daily, and others I use in phases, a few times a year.

The goal isn’t to tell you what you should take—but to show how I’ve learned to approach these tools from a place of clarity, respect, and trust in my body.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Let it be basic. Let it be balanced.

With warmth and gratitude,

Allison, LAc

Founder of Basic Balance Acupuncture