Meet Your Practitioner
Justin Stern
LAc; MAOM
Owner/ Chief Practitioner
Guiding Health Clinic
New Orleans, LA
Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts
Asheville, North Carolina
Class of 2021
Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM)
Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Louisiana (LAc)
Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)
In his early twenties, Justin developed a strong interest in health, world religions, and martial arts. While earning his blackbelt in Judo and competing in other sports, Justin sustained many sports-related injuries.
Seeking relief from his ailments, Justin began looking for the most effective medical interventions. After orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic care, massages, and other treatments, Acupuncture stood out as the most effective treatment significantly reducing his pain and increasing mobility.
Soon after discovering the benefits of Acupuncture, Justin was accepted to the Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts, Class of 2021 in Asheville, North Carolina.
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While in Asheville, Justin became a patient, and later student of Andrew Nugent-Head and his wife JulieAnn, founders of The Alternative Clinic and The Association for Traditional Studies (ATS). He was astonished by the effectiveness of Andrew’s treatment techniques and his knowledge gained from three decades of study in China. Justin began coursework from ATS while working towards his Master’s degree. Justin completed the majority of ATS’s online courses as well as a number of in-person seminars before graduating in May of 2021.
The Association for Traditional Studies equipped Justin with a tangible style of Acupuncture connected to the Yin Style Bagua lineage of Medicine and Martial Arts. Informed by three great Chinese masters, the Nugent-Heads taught Justin to practice medicine like it was practiced in antiquity, including classical applications of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Formulas with proper dosing of herbs, which is often misunderstood in the modern era.
As a clinical intern at Daoist Traditions College, Justin was regularly booked over a month in advance. He successfully treated such conditions as sports injuries, dermatological issues, women's health, migraine headaches, food poisoning, dermatological issues, auto-immune conditions… and many more.
After Graduating with a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM), Justin interned for three months at The Alternative Clinic. Observing Andrew and JulieAnn Nugent-Head; it was an invaluable experience that has had a great impact on the way he sees and treats illness.
Justin believes a good practitioner ought to spend his whole life learning and self-cultivating; he intends to do just that, while aiding the members of his community on their path towards a happy and healthy life.