As local businesses shut down, local acupuncture, yoga and tai chi studio “Healing Within Acupuncture and Wellness Studio” is staying in business. It is expanding its horizon to a neighboring community, White Bear Lake.

“It’s always about removing barriers to care and some of those things are financial and transportation” said acupuncturist Aimee Van Ostrand. “Those are barriers that are in health care and my goal is to increase access.” 

In hopes of breaking down barriers such as transportation and finance, Healing Within Acupuncture and Wellness Studio opened their second location in September. 

Van Ostrand believes “just because you don’t have money. You shouldn’t have care.” Van Ostrand said she might have patients who are going through cancer treatment and it would be more convenient for them to have a studio near their neighborhood, rather than one 30 minutes away.

Expanding local businesses can expose their products or services to a larger audience. Having a greater following can also attract more customers and improve sales.  

Business teacher Debbie Drommerhausen said, “By businesses expanding, you could get the name recognition, which could bring more people here. If you say there is a location downtown Stillwater that’s always a plus.”

With its location on the corner of South Hill, Healing With Acupuncture and Wellness Studio is part of a chain of women-owned businesses. Such businesses include Chilkoot Cafe, Sara’s Tipsy Pies, Hannah’s Bakery and PHD Salon.

“It’s really cool to see so many women-owned businesses succeeding,” Van Ostrand said.  “We have our own special corner”and “I think women businesses are just really great, because I think they add more to the community.”

Local businesses such as Lions Tavern, Mara-Mi and Reve Bistro have shut down. Healing With Acupuncture and Wellness Studio has managed to stay in business due to its location on the corner of South Hill. 

“We’re kind of like, on our own, because we’re outside of the whole downtown scene. But yet, we’ve got this like, really cool corner,” Van Ostrand said. “I think people do kind of go between businesses and support one another.”

Healing Within Acupuncture and Wellness Studio offers yoga, community acupuncture, tai chi and craniosacral therapy. These different forms of meditation can help relieve stress, emotional and physical pain. 

“I loved it there,” junior Katherine Sullivan said. “The first time I was there it was just relaxation type yoga. Once we all got relaxed and stuff, then Aimee the acupuncturist came around and like needled everyone. I was scared at first, but then she put the first one in and I didn’t feel it whatsoever. So I’ve been going ever since.”

Healing Within Acupuncture and Wellness Studio has become one of the many successful businesses in our community. By expanding their business, they hope to break down the barriers of finance and transportation to their clients and offer a more affordable way to manage stress. 

Van Ostrand explained why they offer things such as yoga, tai chi and acupuncture, “It’s to help people with anxiety and post-traumatic stress.” and “It’s a place where they feel comfortable.”