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Cover – Dr. Sera Balderston – On Point

Dr. Sera Balderston

Pointe Lumineux

On Point

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

Layout by Christian Lunardi

At an instance, it becomes immediately obvious that Doctor Sera Balderston is driven by a passion for what she does. There’s an energy that emanates from her, an excitement that is palpable as she discusses her practice and the journey that has brought her to this moment. She is vibrant, engaging and incredibly well-versed in the principles of acupuncture, biochemistry and molecular biology. Her vast knowledge, paired with a desire to delve even deeper into the inner workings of the human body, have become the foundation upon which her career as a practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine has thrived.

Growing up, says Dr. Sera, there was always a drive toward medicine. “My father was diagnosed with cancer when I was six,” she explains. “Witnessing him waste away and being unable to help was my main motivator in becoming a physician.”

After her father’s passing, Dr. Sera’s mother relocated the family to an intentional healing community in the Pocono Mountains. There, she was exposed to a myriad of alternative practices including Reiki, Qigong, Healing Touch, meditation and energy therapies. Taking classes when she wasn’t in school, Dr. Sera learned the power of intention and the miraculous abilities of the human body to recover and restore itself. It was, she recalls, “an intense education in the healing arts.”

Guided by her mother’s interest in wellness and holistic medicine, Dr. Sera was raised to understand the importance of healthy, organic eating and herbal medicine. She notes, “My mother was firm in the idea that food and plants heal.” As a teenager, though, Dr. Sera was compelled to dig deeper, to understand the science behind the metaphysical, the tangible causes of miracles.

“So I read everything I could get my hands on about quantum physics,” she recalls. “By studying that discipline, I learned that everything is truly connected.” She continued to pursue those connections as an undergraduate student at Pennsylvania State University, where she studied biochemistry and molecular biology. Her studies, shares Dr. Sera, allowed her to gain a deep scientific understanding of how the human body works.

While she had long planned to continue her studies in medical school, Dr. Sera became acutely aware of the disconnect between healing medicine and the conventional practices of Allopathic (Western) medicine. So after graduating from Penn State in 2000, she opted to enter the corporate world. “I knew that I wanted to pursue a holistic field of medicine,” she says, “and I felt that it would be best to take time and explore my options.”

For seven years she worked with Dun and Bradstreet, establishing herself as a highly successful sales and marketing solutions specialist. And then she was called to revisit her true passion. In a serendipitous turn of events, Dr. Sera was given the opportunity to leave Pennsylvania and relocate to Florida. She arrived in Sarasota in 2008 and not long after had her first acupuncture treatment. The experience was life changing. “I gained clarity,” she says. “Things happen for a reason, and the time was right to pursue my interests.”

In a world ripe with environmental toxins, where the majority of the population may be suffering from undiagnosed ailments including vitamin deficiencies and chronic lethargy, the possibilities for healing and wellness are limitless. Here, says Dr. Sera, is where the ancient practices of Chinese medicine and acupuncture may make a significant difference. “Practitioners of Chinese medicine talk to their patients, really delve into their lives to understand their emotions, their stressors and their lifestyles,” she explains. “Very often, this allows us to diagnose early in the disease.” By contrast, traditional Western medicine’s focus on addressing pressing symptoms is a system of treating health issues that have become too problematic to ignore. “I’m looking more deeply and holistically at the body,” says Dr. Sera, “where subtle symptoms can be addressed early.”

While Chinese medicine and acupuncture still hold a sense of mystery and taboo for many westerners, Dr. Sera notes that they are scientifically-grounded practices that have existed for thousands of years. They are, she adds, far from archaic in their approach. “Ancient Chinese medicine has actually been quite enlightened and forward-thinking,” she says. “The practice of looking at the emotional body and utilizing food therapy is light years ahead of conventional Western medicine in many ways.”

The importance of allopathic medicine can’t be minimized, adds Dr. Sera, who alludes to emergency care and the treatment of diseases including cancer. “But when it comes to preventative care and wellness, doesn’t it make sense to talk to someone who’s well-versed in food therapy and nutrition, and who understands how your emotions and environment are impacting your body? That’s the benefit of Chinese medicine.”

At the foundation of Chinese medicine is how the patient’s emotions, environment and lifestyle impact the flow of Qi (Ch-ee) in the body. Dr. Sera has successfully integrated this traditional approach with cutting-edge research in biophysics including the existence of biophotons (emissions of light by living cells) and how they impact the body’s signaling systems (such as neurotransmitters, vascular flow, hormones, immune and inflammatory response, and stem cell distribution). “Similar to the traditional Chinese theories around Qi, new research has shown that blockages in the flow of biophotons can cause disease,” she explains. “And those blocks are often caused by poor diet, toxins, physical trauma and stress.” A combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine may facilitate the body’s ability to restore the flow of Qi, thereby regulating its functions for improved health and vitality.

Dr. Sera also integrates the latest in lab testing from standard bloodwork and urinalysis to a chemical test sent to Germany that can detect abnormal colon cells and gastrointestinal imbalances far sooner than a colonoscopy.

Dr. Sera’s thriving practice, Pointe Lumineux, is where clients may opt for acupuncture treatments, vitamin injections, nutritional counseling, herbal therapy, Oriental medicine and more. Her clients often enhance their experiences with cosmetic experiences including Cool Sculpting, BOTOX/JUVÉDERM fillers and hair removal. “It’s a great setting,” remarks Dr. Sera. “The atmosphere here is so relaxing and peaceful. My clients love that it’s not the traditional ‘doctor’s office’ ambiance.”

As the demand for Dr. Sera’s services continues to escalate, she is expanding her practice beyond traditional face-to-face appointments. With phone consultations she is able to hone in on the individual needs of patients, allowing them to seek treatment and advice from the comforts of their own homes. She’s also building an online practice, DrSera.com, which will allow users to utilize technology for one-on-one consultations, to research topics in holistic and Eastern medicine, and to purchase supplements designed to address their particular needs. “It’s a launching point,” Dr. Sera explains. “A place to begin to hone in on the issues that may be impacting people’s health.”

Her passion for education has driven Dr. Sera to offer community outreach, where she speaks to a range of guests including business owners, doctors and consumers. Each week, she speaks to clients at Centerstone Addiction Recovery Center, and offers a variety of seminars at local venues including golf and country clubs and wellness clinics. Says Dr. Sera, “I want to reach people, to educate them on how to live and feel better.” With a wealth of practical and educational experience, she’s doing just that.

Dr. Sera Balderston
Pointe Lumineux
2206 Jo An Drive
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 217-6828
DrSera@DrSera.com
www.DrSera.com