Jennifer Winer L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., MSOM shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
People don’t talk much about physical pain.
It happens inside the body — unseen, often inexplicable. It doesn’t always make sense, and it doesn’t always go away. Maybe that’s why we avoid it. There’s no clear beginning, no satisfying resolution — just a constant background noise that reshapes how we live.
That’s what makes treatments like Acupuncture and Chinese medicine such meaningful avenues to explore.
When someone says, “I’m in pain,” most people don’t know how to respond. There’s a pause, an awkward silence, and then a quick change of subject. We want pain to be linear — solvable, medicalized. But pain, especially chronic pain, refuses that story. It lingers. It shifts. It becomes part of who you are.
Physical pain isolates. When your body only speaks in pain, many start to hide it.
And then there’s the phrase we use to soften it: “I’m just getting old.”
We say it with a laugh, a shrug — as if age alone explains everything that hurts. Sometimes it’s true: bodies change, joints stiffen, time leaves its fingerprints. But sometimes, “I’m just getting old” is a disguise — a gentler way to say, I’m worried my body isn’t mine anymore. It’s easier to joke about aging than to admit that pain has taken up permanent residence.
When pain isn’t spoken about, it becomes invisible — and invisible things are easy to dismiss. People who live with chronic pain often learn to disappear along with it. That invisibility can be as painful as the pain itself.
Talking about physical pain won’t cure it. But it can make it less isolating. Exploring treatments like Acupuncture and Chinese medicine — under the care of a licensed practitioner — can offer effective ways to address pain while also supporting the whole body.
Maybe if we talked about pain more, we would remember that it’s a human experience — one that deserves presence, not avoidance. Maybe we would learn to meet it — and each other — with a little more gentleness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I graduated with a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine in 2003 and started Winer Acupuncture, Inc. in 2004. I am located in Minnetonka (serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas) and own and operate it as a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner.
I have over 20 years of experience and I couldn’t have picked a better profession to help people. My certifications include being nationally certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and Clean Needle Technique certified.
My training also includes studying abroad in China: while getting my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine I completed an advanced acupuncture course at the Training Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China.
“The root of poor health often lies deeper than the symptoms it manifests. That’s why I take a holistic approach.”
I want to get my patients from A to hopefully, without all of the in between and find the root cause of the issue. This includes working with their doctors and other practitioners. I promise to listen with compassion, honor patient concerns and experiences, respect patients’ healthcare choices, and provide a safe healing environment.
The clinic has a variety of services: acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, non-needle techniques, facial rejuvenation, fertility support, working with pain conditions, chronic health conditions, and using vibrational medicine.
What makes Winer Acupuncture, Inc. unique?
1. A strong blend of Eastern & Western perspectives
My background includes both working in pharmacy and having a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. I have a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine and a certificate in advanced TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) from GuangZhou China where I studied abroad.
2.A wide scope of expertise including pain and fertility
Many acupuncture clinics focus simply on pain or stress relief. Winer Acupuncture Inc. explicitly highlights fertility (male & female), autoimmune disease, acute & chronic pain, back pain, stress & anxiety as specialties. For someone dealing with overlapping health issues (e.g., pain + fertility concerns + stress), this breadth is a compelling differentiator.
3. A personalized, root-cause focus & exceptional holistic care
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Winer acupuncture emphasizes treating the underlying imbalance that leads to symptoms.
“What truly sets me apart is my commitment to individualized care. I take the time to understand each patient’s unique needs, crafting personalized treatment plans that address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms.” This depth of care can make the patient feel more seen, heard, and cared for, and not just “another session”.
4.Comprehensive patient support & education
Winer Acupuncture, Inc. offers more than just treatments — there are resources, such as a “Traditional Chinese Medicine Nutrition Basics Guide” which I authored to help my patients away from the office. My website provides clear explanations of how acupuncture and Chinese medicine works and what to expect. This kind of transparency helps demystify acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, making it more accessible for newcomers.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve lived with chronic pain for most of my life, so when my patients talk about what they’re going through, I truly understand it — not just clinically, but personally. I’ve been there.
When I finally tried acupuncture, something changed. It worked. For the first time, I felt real relief — and even more than that, I felt hope. Knowing there was something that could help, something beyond “nothing else to try,” was life-changing.
That experience lit a spark in me. Within three months I was researching schools, found one, interviewed, got accepted, and never looked back. I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to help others find the same kind of healing I had found.
Practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine has become the most rewarding work of my life — helping people reconnect with their bodies, find relief, and rediscover hope.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I started my practice, I stopped hiding my pain — and began using it as a source of strength. My own experiences became a bridge to connect with others who were struggling.
It makes such a difference for patients to know they’re not alone — that someone truly understands what it means to live with pain, and is genuinely listening. That kind of connection, that shared understanding, can be deeply healing all on its own.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would have to say yes — I’m an open book. I love meeting new people, whether I’m traveling or just out at a restaurant, and having genuine conversations. Those same authentic connections carry over into the relationships I build with my patients, where honesty, trust, and openness are at the heart of every interaction.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand, on a deep level, that pain is not something to ignore — it demands to be felt, acknowledged, and honored.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wineracupuncture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winer_acupuncture/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wineracupuncture
- Twitter: https://x.com/wineracuinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Winer.Acupuncture.Inc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/winer-acupuncture-minnetonka
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WinerAcupunctureIncMinneapolis
- Other: my email is: [email protected]
Image Credits
Jennifer Winer L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., MSOM – Photographs
Art Print and Logo are Copyrighted
