Dr. Jaydee Robles DACM, L.Ac, better known as “Dr. Jay” to his friends and patients, is a holistic doctor who is passionate about helping others achieve their best health and wellness. His interest in holistic medicine was inspired by his family’s legacy of medical professionals. Both his parents and grandparents were passionate about healthcare and the healing arts, and their dedication has been a driving force in his life since he was a child.
He obtained both a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and during this time he had the opportunity to give back to the academic community as a certified tutor, helping graduate students in the Health Science Disciplines. He is also an active member of The Florida State Oriental Medicine Association and the Maryland Acupuncture Society dedicated to promoting and advocating for holistic medicine in his community.
As a holistic doctor, he is committed to partnering with the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs and passionate about empowering patients in working together towards optimal health and wellness.
Hello Jaydee Robles DACM, L.Ac!
Welcome to the Acupuncturist of the Month interview.
So, how long have you been practicing acupuncture for, and what are your specialties?
I have been practicing for five years now, and I have a special interest in endocrine health, digestion, and infectious diseases.
What inspired you to become an acupuncturist?
As far as I can remember, my family has been using natural remedies for healing when we were sick, sparking my curiosity and appreciation for natural medicine. This, coupled with the potions-making class in Harry Potter, inspired me to become an acupuncturist and herbalist.
Tell us more about your NIH clinical research training.
The NIH’s Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach offers various programs for those interested in learning about clinical research. When I was in school for my Master’s, we had an MD who was an NIH scientist. He encouraged us to participate in these programs to help reinforce our profession’s understanding of how to conduct research and improve the field’s role in research. It was a great tool for learning how research is conducted, the different phases of research, documentation, and the various roles of researchers. I feel much more comfortable reading and understanding research overall.
On your journey to become an acupuncturist, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
Acupuncture school was one of the most difficult times of my life. I started when I was quite young, so in the midst of becoming an adult, I was learning ancient Chinese secrets. During this time, I overcame the loss of family members, domestic violence, legal issues, and massive feelings of loneliness. School was my saving grace; no matter what was happening, I could always lose myself in learning about TCM. When I was working on clinicals, I could put on a happy face, treat patients, offer them relief from their pains and issues, and gain the strength to keep going. I knew my purpose was greater, and I couldn’t give up due to the temporary feelings I was experiencing.
We see that you play an active role in lobbying for complementary and alternative healthcare legislation, which is amazing! What led you to get involved, and how can other acupuncturists participate in this healthcare legislation?
This is actually a really funny story. I was volunteering with The Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA) when Ellen Teter, the then-president of FSOMA, asked me if I wanted a bumper sticker that said, “I’m stuck on acupuncture.” Since I am such a sucker for puns, I said “yes!” She then proceeded to ask me if I would be interested in becoming a student member of FSOMA, which I also agreed to. Fast forward to the FL legislative session, Ellen was looking for students to join them at the FL Senate and Representatives to work with their lobbyist and educate senators and representatives on acupuncture’s role in offering pain relief during the opioid crisis. It was such an experience to be able to talk to these members of our government and offer a solution to a prominent issue. I recommend working with your state and national acupuncture associations and joining them in championing our amazing profession!
Share a recent success story you had with a patient. What acupuncture points, herbs, or other interventions (meditation, yoga, nutrition, etc.) did you use to help them achieve results?
Although this may not be super recent, it is one of the most impactful success stories. I had a patient dealing with urinary issues that led to surgical procedures, causing even more problems. The patient had Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), where urine moves backward from the bladder to the kidneys. They experienced urinary dysfunction, lumbar pain, and a sensation of their kidneys “doing somersaults.” The patient was on chronic opioid therapy and had adverse digestive and respiratory issues due to the opioids. They decided to try acupuncture and Chinese herbs. After a year of regular treatment, they completely withdrew from opioids, had improved urinary function, and decreased low back pain. Inspired by holistic treatments and practices, she became a reiki healer and yoga instructor!
You have a world of experience in the eastern medicine field. Which work or educational experience do you feel impacted you and your practice the most to get you to the point you are today?
Two of the most impactful periods where I gained the most practical knowledge were my time in acupuncture school and working as a sales associate at a local nutrition and supplement store. In school, I learned the ancient arts of acupuncture and herbal medicine, along with the theory needed to be an effective practitioner. At the store, I honed my interpersonal skills and learned about functional nutrition and supplements. It was ideal because, in both places, I had access to limitless resources for crafting recommendations. My school had a full herbal pharmacy with raw herbs, granules, and tea pills, and the store had every brand of supplement I could ever need. Having access to everything made it easy to learn what works and what doesn’t.
“I have always been a promoter of integrative medicine, and knowing that some of the nation’s top educational bodies, such as Harvard, are conducting research, dispersing it, and recommending it as a first-line treatment is just the beginning.“
-Jaydee Robles, DACM
What makes you feel inspired about acupuncture?
The West’s growing interest in acupuncture and Chinese medicine has inspired me more than ever to introduce people to the field. Even now, working at a Western Medical College, many of the DOs and MDs have training in it, know someone who is duly licensed, or recommend it in their practice, which is exciting. This marks the start of a beautiful period of growth and expansion in the field. I have always been a promoter of integrative medicine, and knowing that some of the nation’s top educational bodies, such as Harvard, are conducting research, dispersing it, and recommending it as a first-line treatment is just the beginning.
Looking back, what advice would you have given to the younger version of yourself, who was just getting started in this profession?
I would probably tell myself to find someone who wants to invest in you and a mentor who can teach you the ropes. I was fortunate to have great and not-so-great bosses who taught me to become the acupuncturist I wanted to be. Everyone can be your teacher, even when they are teaching you ways you don’t want to be. I would also suggest finding a business mentor. My business mentor was invaluable in helping me become an entrepreneur and learn the intricacies of the business world.
What keeps an acupuncture practice going?
Having real solutions to people’s real problems is crucial. Whether it’s something as simple as low back pain or complex internal conditions, providing effective solutions is why people return and seek your help. Offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on during possibly the hardest times of their lives is invaluable and unfortunately rare. One thing I’ve considered is what I dislike about going to the doctor. We’ve taken all these factors into account: we don’t make people wait for their appointments, we don’t talk over our patients’ heads, and we always keep things positive, informative, and empowering.
What are specific roadblocks to watch out for as a new acupuncturist?
I opened our clinic in March 2020 when the world came to a halt. If that isn’t a roadblock, I don’t know what is! From this experience, I learned to be dynamic and adaptable to survive the ordeal. Everything I learned in school was put on the backburner while I found new ways to practice. The biggest thing to watch out for is becoming stagnant or too rigid in your ways. As our profession evolves, we must adapt, even if it is uncomfortable.
We have all occasionally had a patient come into our practice who is upset, frustrated, and a little angry. Maybe it’s from work, being stuck in traffic, or life in general – we have all been there! What advice would you give to fellow acupuncture students and/or colleagues on how to deal with situations like these?
Initially, I was unsure how to handle these patients, but I knew not to take it personally. A supervisor once told me, “They are in pain, they are suffering; this is just a manifestation of the underlying issue.” It wasn’t until then that I started to have more compassion for these patients. Treat them with even more compassion, really listen to them, and be there for them. Ever since I changed my mindset and became more understanding, the results have spoken for themselves. By the end of the treatment course, the changes are so apparent.
What are your favorite acupuncture points, and why?
I love abdominal points and scalp points, especially the Four Doors and Si Shen Cong. They are so impactful and tend to be relatively pain-free during insertion. I like them because they produce quick results for conditions involving digestion and overall energy, as well as calming the mind. I like to tell myself I am calming both brains, the one in our cranium and the one in our abdomen.
Tell us about some herbal formulas and foods you find yourself consistently recommending to your patients, friends, and colleagues. What makes these herbs/foods so helpful?
I love herbs; I am definitely an herbalist who does acupuncture! One of my favorite go-to formulas is Xiao Yao San. It’s very effective at balancing the spleen and liver, which tend to be overworked and beat up in most people due to the Western culture we have become so used to. I also appreciate its calming effect. I have used this formula alongside others to treat a myriad of conditions. In my practice, food equals herbs and herbs equal food, so when I recommend TCM diet therapy, I try to incorporate herbs that could be used when cooking therapeutic foods. I like to post about foods for each season to help combat exterior pathogens.
Sometimes, the best resource for improving our skills is by learning from the other acupuncturists we meet along our professional journey. What is one thing you learned from a fellow acupuncturist or holistic practitioner that has helped you in your professional growth, or in your care for patients?
The greatest influence in helping me grow was my clinic supervisor in acupuncture school, Dr. Steven Roensch. He was instrumental in my development as an acupuncturist. He was incredible at talking to patients, coming up with a plan to treat the patient as a whole, and always ensured there were no surprises and that the patient was comfortable. These skills became my foundation as an acupuncturist, and to this day, I couldn’t thank Dr. Roensch enough.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the acupuncture practice community and small businesses alike. While it’s on the mend, we are still navigating through the new normal as acupuncture providers. How has COVID-19 changed your practice?
The pandemic left an indelible mark on my life as it was the ultimate challenge for my career. I opened a brand new office in downtown Sarasota and was then shut down two months in. It was hard to even comprehend what was going on, but I knew if I wanted to survive, I would have to roll with the punches. Even though my Western medical training taught me about infection control and sanitization, this was a whole new world for everyone. Being able to apply that knowledge to an acupuncture practice was one of the reasons I was able to keep my head above water and provide a safe, clean space for people to heal. I also had to learn to be even more driven to obtain and maintain new patients who were hesitant to be in such close contact with other people.
Your practice was voted best acupuncture in Sarasota, so cool! How has this recognition helped your practice?
This recognition has been such a blessing. Our town is small, and word gets around quickly, so being recognized by a local publication in the infancy of the clinic was monumental for getting our name out there. I remember getting phone calls and voicemails saying, “I saw your clinic in Best of Sarasota, and I have always wanted to try acupuncture!” It felt really good to be recognized for all the hard work and dedication I put into building my brand. Now, we have been so blessed to win a stellar business award and be featured in US Business News! The recognition continues to grow on a national scale, and hopefully, Freestyle Healing will become a known brand in the holistic healing space.
Do you have any daily habits or rituals that keep you at your “best-self,” both as an acupuncture practitioner and person?
Absolutely, I love qi gong and tai ji chuan; they have been my saving grace far more than I want to admit. From times of illness to times of tragedy, qi gong has brought me back to center and pulled me back from the edge. To have the mind, body, and spirit in sync can do so much good for you as a human being. It’s simple, effective, and anyone can learn how to do it. I don’t think I would be the same person if it wasn’t for tai ji and qi gong.
The kindest thing a patient said to you recently:
“If you’re like me and people have been recommending acupuncture to you for a long time and you still haven’t done it, this is your sign to do it now – stop putting it off and schedule the appointment! Acupuncture has been an amazing addition to my current health care regimen, and I can’t imagine my life without it. I have been seeing Dr. Jay for two months now, and he is so wonderful, empathetic, compassionate, and caring. The progress I’ve made in two short months is incredible, and I couldn’t have gotten there without Dr. Jay. Highly recommend!”
The funniest thing a patient said to you recently:
“Dr. J must be from Hogwarts because he is nothing less than MAGICAL!!!”
As an acupuncturist, what are you most proud of thus far in your professional journey?
I would say building a brand that people know and love has been my biggest accomplishment. Being able to take people from the dark place of their conditions and give them life back is something anyone would be proud of. Curating a space where people feel comfortable and look forward to coming to is so much more than I could have ever dreamed of.
If you could have a billboard with anything on it, what would it be and why?
I would run a full-on “Got Herbs?” campaign. It would feature me standing in front of an apothecary of herbs in glass jars. I’ve always thought those Got Milk billboards were great at grabbing attention with just a few words. I think people seeing the herbs would pique their interest without being too gaudy.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success is thinking of an idea, refining it, and putting it into action. There have been times when I had a great idea, but nothing ever came of it. Then there have been times when I started with a to-do list, put the plan into action, and brought it to fruition. Being able to do this can bring financial success, personal freedom, and the ability to stay organized in times of adversity.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation, for sure! No more airports, trains, or I-75! I would be able to get to where I need to go in the blink of an eye. Yes, the journey is part of the destination, but have you ever had to drive from Sarasota to Tampa in the pouring rain during summer? You would want to teleport too!
*Rapid fire questions! *:
Morning or night? Night
Tea or coffee? Tea
Sun or moon? Moon
Cupping or Tui na? Tui Na
Yin or Yang? Yin
Meditation or exercise? Meditation
Instagram or Facebook? Instagram
Top 3 Favorite Books? Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Science and the Akashic Field: An Integral Theory of Everything, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Where can other licensed acupuncturists, students, and patients go to learn more about your work?
https://www.instagram.com/drjaydeerobles
https://www.facebook.com/drjaydeerobles
