Jade Tree Wellness Center Endures

Jade Tree Wellness Center offers a haven of holistic healing.

Acupuncture physician Tom Elman created the wellness center a decade ago. His clients' comfort and healing were at the forefront.

Elman focused on the personal journey that led him to creating and running a successful business whose focus is on wellness.

Elman shares a wealth of information. He is also a health columnist; his writing reflects a man, who is knowledgeable and entertaining.

In every venue, Elman clearly shows a compassion for people. His career spans social service and healing positions. He graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Human Resources.

"At the time, 20 or 30 years ago, Human Resources was a psychology-based degree. Now, it's seen as personnel management," said Elman.

Previous positions include the Department of Family and Children's Services and Gulf Coast Community Care, where Elman was Program Director of the Mental Health Overlay.

He wanted to help people in a more effective way than through community agencies.

He pursued alternative healthand received certification as a massage therapist.

"I liked my job, but I knew that 30 years as a massage therapist would be pretty brutal on my body," said Elman.

A worsening, lifelong irregular heartbeat became the turning point in finding his life's work.

"I had every test ... and the doctors didn't know why I had an irregular heartbeat. My blood pressure and heart rate was fine. They told me to live with it," said Elman.

Elman didn't want to give up or chase symptoms with medications that may or may not help. He turned to holistic solutions.

"I was taking Tai Chi and asked the instructor if he could help," said Elman.

The instructor did help, and Elman was impressed with the modality's healing power.

"I watched him treat people with depression [and other illnesses] and said 'I can do that'," said Elman.

He continued his holistic direction and earned his degree in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Oriental medicine and acupuncture focuses on a person's total wellness. Acupuncture treats illness by inserting small, sterile, stainless needles in specific parts of the body.

As a holistic treatment, acupuncture "restores balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual", according to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Helping clients' total wellness has been Elman's focus since he opened his practice ten years ago.

He offers acupuncture, Chinese medicine and massage. Earlier this year, he earned his certification in hypnosis.

The business name reflects the different aspects of Eastern medicine.

Jade is a precious stone with an Asian association, and the tree symbolizes healthy living.

 "The tree is healthy: strong, but flexible. Rooted in earth, it also stretches toward the heavens," said Elman.

"Man is a combination of heavenly and earthly energy."

Most of his clients are familiar with acupuncture or open to the modality's treatment options.

His clients visit with a variety of ailments. Sometimes, he is the client's last resort after traditional Western medicine has failed.

While his business dipped during the recession, Elman sees a growing demand for services again. His practice is getting busier each week.

Elman admits that marketing can be a difficult point.

"Marketing is 'Hi, you don't know me, but come into my office, take off your clothes, and I'm going to stick needles in you. And it's going to be relaxing'," said Elman with a laugh.

In actuality, treatment starts with listening to his client and recording symptoms, including a diagnostic reading of pulses, tongue, signs and symptoms.

In addition to acupuncture, treatment can include Chinese medicine.

The herbs are either in proprietary formulas, bottled from a holistic company, or through personalized blends.

"I have 150 herbs and powders to customize formulas," said Elman.

He stresses people interested in herbal treatment should consult a professional.

"Just because it's an herb or natural, doesn't mean it can't hurt you. It needs to be prescribed. Consult a qualified herbalist," said Elman.

While acupuncture continues to grow in popularity, misinformation exists about its effectiveness.

"The biggest misconception is that there's no research to support it," said Elman.

"But there are volumes and volumes of research supporting it, and it's accessible."

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as effective treatment for over 43 typical illnesses, including respiratory ailments, musculo-skeletal disorders, eye disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders and mental and emotional disorders.

Chinese medicine addresses the root of the symptoms, rather than treating only the symptoms.

"There are five different reasons why someone could be depressed. If you don't know the root cause, you're not getting at the problem," said Elman.

"That's the reason that St. John's Wort works for some people, and SAM-E works for other people."

Elman sees more effective and complete healing with acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Oriental treatments address illnesses from a different viewpoint than Western treatments. 

Western medications are successful for certain situations, according to Elman.

In talking about the treatment of depression, Elman shares the story of a woman grieving for her spouse.

"She was in a horrible state. She couldn't function and she needed to. She needed to get through the funeral and take care of her life," said Elman.

The widow was prescribed an anti-depressant, which was the right solution, according to Elman.

"It's successful, in the near-term. She was able to get through the things she needed. She could function."

The biggest problem, he said, was continuing the medication as a long term solution.

"She stayed on it for five years. She didn't grieve for those five years. After she stopped the medication, she went through the grieving process. Now she has a life again."

As Elman reflects on his personal and professional journey, he sees himself in the perfect career, in the perfect place.

St. Petersburg and Florida-living provide the ideal backdrop to explore his favorite outdoor activities.

Elman enjoys triathlons, fishing, canoeing and hiking -- nature-based hobbies learned in childhood from his father.

Recently, a friend asked the familiar, water cooler type question that's supposed to test a person's career dedication..

What would Elman do if he won the Lotto? Would he quit his job?

"I wouldn't quit. I'd continue to do acupuncture and Chinese medicine, but I may quit the other jobs, like marketing and accounting," said Elman.

He leans forward on the couch and rests his elbows on his legs. A smile brightens his face.

"I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I can't imagine not doing acupuncture and Chinese medicine," said Elman.

Elman exudes a dedication and passion worthy of his family's respective careers.

His father, author Bob Elman, wrote the Atlantic Flyway, a ground-breaking book forty years ago on birding and migratory patterns.

Dave Elman, his grandfather, wrote Hypnotherapy, considered a foundation in the field among hypnotherapists.

Elman scoots closer to the edge of the couch. His arms animate sentences, and his voice deepens with excitement.

"People ask me, 'Aren't you depressed listening to people's problems all day?' Absolutely not,." said Elman.

"I genuinely help people. That's what I want to do. All day long, I get to help people. I have the best job I've ever had."

For more information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine, contact Tom Elman at (727) 344-8690.

Jade Tree Wellness Center is located at 6701 38th Avenue North, Suite 3, St. Petersburg, FL. 33710. It is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.