Today we’d like to introduce you to Shabnam Ashtiani.
Hi Shabnam, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After finishing my master’s degree at UTSA, I went I Houston to complete my doctorate in chiropractic care. I’ve always wanted to be in healthcare but from a more holistic approach. So after completing my degree I took extra training and certification programs to specialize in pediatric and perinatal population. I opened up my clinic 4 years ago and predominately see moms and kiddos.
After having my son during the pandemic becoming a single mom, and experiencing a really unfortunate birth my passion for the perinatal population grew even bigger if that’s possible. Sometimes our tough experiences really shape us and help others so that they don’t have to go through the same things that we did.
At my practice, I really try to educate and empower all of my moms about informed consent, bodily autonomy and putting together their birth preferences.
I see so many patients come in with their second or third. Pregnancies that are wanting a different experience than their previous one. Things like experiencing pain during pregnancy, to having a provider pressure them into unnecessary procedures. Besides alleviating their discomfort during pregnancy or postpartum, I try to use my network to connect them with other providers that can best serve them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are always ups and downs with life. My second year in practice I became pregnant with my son. I had planned to have a coverage doctor to take over when I left for maternity leave (which as a business owner of a small business doesn’t mean much haha). But a week after I gave birth to my son, Covid hit and everything shut down. It was extremely hard to not physically be able to be at the office and figure out all of the new guidelines and protocols. And hoping that my staff and coverage doctor can put it all together. Since my birth did not go as planned, I had to stay a bit longer at the hospital. As soon as I got out I started to work remotely with my staff and coming up with new plans and protocols. It was hard! Hard not being with them to help, not being with my patients, not physically being able to work. You’re basically sitting back and watching everything you worked for slowly fall apart and there’s absolutely nothing that you can do, because it’s happening to everyone. Needless to say that with my personality, I went back to work 4 weeks postpartum. That was a hard year! Becoming a new mom, having major abdominal surgery and almost dying during the procedure due to medical negligence, running a business during a pandemic. Honestly, it was survival haha I look back now I’m not sure how it all worked out, but I definitely count my blessings!
As you know, we’re big fans of Essence Chiropractic & Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
It’s a chiropractic clinic that specializes in pediatric and the perinatal periods. Special Interests include prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric population. Professional Accreditation includes Graston Provider, Acupuncture Board Certified, Fascial Movement Taping levels 1 & 2 (RockTape), Activator Technique, Webster Technique, Tongue & Lip Tie, and 200 hours of training from the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics.
Over the years I’ve really focused on taking the appropriate trainings to serve the special population. In school, we all take just one pediatric and one prenatal class. And honestly, you learn nothing that can actually be applied from a technique perspective.
I definitely take pride in being able to appropriately serve my community and refer out when needed and co treat with other providers as needed!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
This past year a good friend and colleague of mine and I started a non-profit to help educate females during the perinatal period. We’re currently working on the back end of it and will be sharing more this year! Very excited to bring more resources for the San Antonio community!
Pricing:
- New patient visit range: $140-200
- Follow up appointment range: $55-120
Contact Info:
- Email: DrAshtiani@essence-chiro.com
- Website: www.Essence-Chiro.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/essencechirosa
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/essencechirosa
Image Credits
Brittany Reynosa at Brooks + Co
