Prioritizing Wellness and Trusting Life’s Path
Carbondale has a thriving outdoor recreation and healthy living scene—probably because there’s so much beauty around us that we don’t want to miss a thing. With all this go-go-going, an equally vibrant wellness community has grown to help us stay in our best physical and mental shape. We call it the “Healing Arts” because it takes dedication, practice, and plenty of creativity to offer the right support for living, playing, and thriving.
This month, Annie Van Druten, owner of Colorado Community Acupuncture, shares how she found her way into holistic healthcare and why she wholeheartedly believes in the work she does.
Can you share a little bit about you and your practice? How did you find acupuncture as a life path?
20 years ago, I was working for a fashion and lifestyle PR firm in NYC. It was an exciting, high-pressure job that ended up chewing me up and spitting me out. It’s not surprising that my boss ended up having a reality TV show called “Kell on Earth”. Ha! Getting fired at the young age of 24 was exactly what I needed to send me on the path I was meant to be on – to have a career in service, while taking care of people and being a part of the healthcare system without the use of drugs or meds. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Acupuncture from the Swedish Institute in NYC in 2008, I have been practicing for 16 years, 11 of them in Carbondale.
One of the things that makes Carbondale special is the celebration and intersection of art, wellness, and community. Tight-knit with a focus on mindful living. How does being based here influence the way you approach your healing practice and nurturing your clients?
My work in this town allows me to be authentically me. I love what I do & this place that is my home– it brings out the best of me & my work. I love how living here has molded me to become the person that I am. People like Rita Marsh & The Center for Human Flourishing, True Nature, Carbondale Arts & other like-minded practitioners, have been a beautiful support to me & my practice.
At Colorado Community Acupuncture, my goal has always been to provide care that meets people where they are. Through sliding-scale community acupuncture, I’m able to make treatment accessible to neighbors who might not otherwise prioritize or afford holistic health support. At the same time, offering cosmetic acupuncture and a range of therapeutic modalities allows me to serve those seeking specialized care, pain relief, or deeper wellness work. This balance helps me keep my doors open to everyone—artists, athletes, service workers, teachers, families, and long-time locals and newcomers alike.
In a world that often feels rushed and overstimulated, what practices do you encourage in your clients? And how do you personally cultivate presence in your work?
I support myself daily with my diet and lifestyle choices. I have a deep understanding of how we, as modern North Americans, can easily feed into supporting our health and longevity, or just as easily take away from our livelihoods. I have a wealth of information to allow us to age as gracefully as possible. As an added support to my patients, I cook and juice (home-delivery available!) for patients with supplementation and other wellness practices. I practice what I preach and I’m wildly impressed with how good I feel!
Any projects or collaborations coming up that you're excited about?
Earlier this month, I was personally invited to work with Aspen One & SkiCo employees for 3 days at their annual health fair. It was such an honor to be invited & I had so much fun! Moving forward, Michelle Brandon, another local acupuncturist, & I plan to build a healing collective, sharing our wealth of passion & knowledge to our community. We have so much enthusiasm to bring high-vibe, healing modalities far & wide! Let’s Go!
Where can we find more about CCA's offerings?
You can find me in person at 1101 Village Rd,
cocommunityacupuncture.com & on Instagram @colorado_community_acupuncture