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Christine Friel

Christine Friel has a healing capacity that truly enriches lives. In her own unique ways, she focuses on promoting health, and treating health challenges through natural alternatives. We are honored to have her as a member of Pow.wow.

Christine owns Double Happiness Health, a wellness center in Potrero Hill offering Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Therapeutic Massage. “Double Happiness” means “marriage” in Chinese culture. She thinks of the phrase as implying union - of mind and body, East and West, and the duality of yin and yang within us. In her practice, it also means balancing the principles of Western and Eastern medicine. Their mission is to optimize the health of the community through a multi-faceted, integrative approach to healthcare.

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Welcome Christine. What is your background?
I took a non-traditional approach toward my education. Originally from Philadelphia, I moved to San Francisco and completed my Associates of Science degree from City College of SF before becoming certified as a Massage Therapist from the National Holistic Institute in 1992. I leapt into the entrepreneurial world, building a successful private practice while having incredible mentors in the fields of physical therapy, Chinese medicine, and Taoist massage and meditation. In my studies, I discovered my love for Chinese Medicine. I earned a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, was licensed in 2003, and did an internship in gynecology at Shanghai University Hospital. I practiced for a couple of years before I opened Double Happiness Health in 2005. In 2006, I completed a program in acupuncture orthopedics from Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

Originally, what gave you the entrepreneurial motivation?
My father gave me the confidence to trust that the business could support me. He raised eleven children with my mom while running a plumbing business. He’d get stressed about a lot of things, but never about where the next job would come from. Retired now, he always seemed to enjoy his work and his customers loved him. Most of my siblings also ended up in business for themselves.

Tell me, what was the specific defining moment that led you to start your business?
Double Happiness Health began as a doodle during acupuncture theory class. I imagined a clinic that would integrate Chinese Medicine with therapeutic massage and other holistic practices that would help create a bridge to Western medicine. I also wanted to show artwork by local artists to make it a community gathering place.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I’m inspired by practitioners who are pushing alternative medicine to a new level and integrating it into the mainstream. Misha Cohen is one such pioneer, who applied the ancient science of acupuncture to a modern disease – Hepatitis C – creating treatment protocols as well as teaming with medical doctors to bring the best of both worlds together. I am also continuously inspired by my patients.

The biggest professional reward for you would be what?
Making a difference in the lives of my patients is hugely rewarding. It’s wonderful to be able to provide someone with tools to heal themselves and to better understand their body. To be able to free someone from pain or illness, or help a couple achieve pregnancy, are some of my most thrilling moments.

What is the toughest challenge for you?
Organizational skills are not my strength. Getting assistance with setting up systems and creating ways to track my business was a huge boon (thanks Monisha Mustaphaand Rayna Krohn!!).

How do you get new business?
Primarily through networking and word of mouth.

What is the one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out?
It’s important for you to be honest about what your weaknesses are in business and to be willing to spend money to get the support you need. In the end it only increases your capacity to earn.

What is the next step for you and the women of Double Happiness?
Quadruple Happiness! I’d like to expand my business to include other practitioners, maybe a Chiropractor or Pilates instructor. I’d also like to eventually partner with a gynecologist or orthopedist.

Thank you for your thoughts & showing us a glimpse of your world!

Look her up, you’ll feel better when you do!
Christine Friel, L.Ac. at Double Happiness
www.doublehappinesshealth.com