Debi Ireland, Owner
Debi Ireland, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., HTPA
My patients often say, “the moment I walk into your office, I feel my stress go down because it’s so peaceful.” That is important to me. Each person matters to me. My time, care, and attention is just as important as my knowledge and skills. I strive to provide a space for healing that is also a safe place for patients to share their experiences, fears, frustrations, hopes and goals—and to be heard.
About Me
I received my Masters of Science in Acupuncture from Southwest Acupuncture College of Boulder in August 2011 (a 3-year program including 2,500 hours of education and 1,042 clinical practice hours), and I became certified as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in January 2012 (which includes certification in Clean Needle Technique).
Upon completing my internship in the Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in Harbin, China, I began practicing acupuncture in Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado in 2012. This included: treating about a hundred patients each week at a community clinic for more than three years; completing the Apprenticeship in Sports Acupuncture in 2013, Healing Touch Apprenticeship, and Reiki Level 3 certification; and receiving continuing education for pain, sports injuries, prevention, and recovery for injuries. In 2015, I opened my private practice, Touch of the East Acupuncture.
My Story
I am a grandmother of two and mother of three from Maryland. I came to Colorado in 2007 to pursue a better quality of life for my family. Before coming to Colorado, I suffered from chronic physical and emotional pain for decades due to extreme hormone imbalances. When Western Medicine didn’t work, I discovered acupuncture and herbal medicine. Combining acupuncture and herbs was the only thing that helped me heal and manage pain when Western Medicine seemed to make things worse. Acupuncture ultimately helped me get my life back.
Years later, during an extremely stressful period in my life, when I was “burning the candle at both ends,” my body began to communicate with me intensely, saying, “whoa, stop!” I experienced severe digestive issues and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. I I turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and it helped me through my health crisis, once again. TCM continues to help me maintain my health, along with some Western Medicine and other natural modalities. This experience reinforced my faith in TCM, and it fueled my motivation to become an experienced practitioner, someone with the knowledge and skills to offer this same support to others.
We are so conditioned to believe that treatments must yield immediate results to be effective, but I’ve learned that true healing happens gradually. Enjoying the things we love in life often requires patience and commitment to doing things differently. I learned that healing is not just the management of illness, but a journey of self-discovery and growth.
With the help of TCM, I’m able to enjoy a life I love that includes riding tandem with my husband, painting, and taking photos while soaking up the beautiful outdoors. From the beach to the mountains, my love of travel has inspired me and my husband to convert a van into a mobile living space so we can explore the country. My two biggest joys in life: spending time with my family and helping people live healthy lives.
What Patients are Saying
“Debi is the first person I go to when something is off about my health. She’s genuinely invested in my well-being …she listens and draws from her vast knowledge to figure out the right treatment.”
“This is not just a business where she practices a learned skill, it is a place where she connects and shares her passion for healing.”