Today we’d like to introduce you to Petra Tibshraeny.
Petra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Pretoria, South Africa, where holistic medicine—especially homeopathy—is a common and trusted part of healthcare. In South Africa, many people see holistic doctors as their primary physicians.
As a child, I saw family members find healing through homeopathy when conventional medicine couldn’t help. Those experiences sparked a lifelong passion for natural medicine and inspired me to study it professionally.
I earned my Master’s degree in Homeopathy and Acupuncture from the University of Johannesburg in 2001. Soon after, I opened a health food store that offered vitamins, supplements, herbs, and homeopathic remedies, along with a small clinic where I began seeing patients. That small clinic eventually grew into a thriving practice built on trust, education, and results.
In 2015, I had the opportunity to immigrate to the United States and chose to settle in sunny Florida. While many Americans are still discovering homeopathic medicine, it’s been incredibly rewarding to introduce people here to a more natural, holistic approach to healing—and to witness the life-changing results firsthand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been an easy road, but I’ve learned that the most rewarding paths rarely are.
Leaving behind loved ones and a thriving practice in South Africa to start over in a new country was one of the biggest challenges of my life. When I immigrated to the U.S., I discovered that my South African degrees weren’t considered equivalent here, which meant I had to go back to school and requalify — even after decades of experience. It was humbling to sit in classrooms relearning what I had already practiced successfully for years, but I was determined to continue doing what I love. I completed my U.S. qualifications in 2019.
I opened my new clinic in March 2020 — just two weeks before the COVID shutdown. That timing was extremely difficult, but it also taught me resilience and adaptability. I used that time to reimagine how to reach people and rebuild my practice from the ground up.
Another ongoing challenge has been education. In South Africa, most people grow up understanding homeopathy and natural medicine as a normal part of healthcare. Here in the U.S., many people are just starting to explore holistic approaches, so a big part of my work involves helping patients understand that true healing comes from addressing the root cause and supporting the body’s ability to heal itself.
It’s also true that most insurance plans don’t cover what I do, which can make holistic care less accessible. But I’ve found that people who come to see me are deeply motivated — they want lasting change and are willing to invest in their health. Those are the patients who inspire me and make all the challenges worthwhile.
Looking back, the journey has been anything but smooth, but it’s been deeply meaningful. Every obstacle reinforced why I chose this path: to help people take back control of their health and their lives — naturally.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My clinic, Acupuncture & Homeopathy Clinic, is built on the belief that the body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the right support. I specialize in classical homeopathy, acupuncture, and natural medicine—using these tools together to treat the root causes of illness, not just the symptoms.
One of my greatest passions is helping families struggling with fertility. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping many women conceive naturally—even after being told it wasn’t possible. I also work closely with patients undergoing IVF or other assisted fertility treatments, supporting them through the process and improving their chances of success. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than getting that message or picture from a patient announcing their healthy pregnancy after years of trying. Those moments remind me why I do what I do.
I also specialize in pain management, using acupuncture and homeopathy to help patients reduce or eliminate chronic pain—often after conventional methods have failed. Many of my patients come to me as a last resort and leave realizing that healing doesn’t have to mean living on medication or just “managing” pain.
What makes my clinic different is how individualized every treatment is. I spend real time listening and understanding what each person’s body is trying to communicate. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—every patient receives a customized plan that addresses their physical, emotional, and energetic balance.
I’m most proud that my clinic has grown almost entirely through word of mouth. My patients see real changes—in energy, mood, pain levels, and overall quality of life—and they become my strongest advocates.
What I want readers to know is that homeopathy and acupuncture aren’t “alternative”—they’re complementary, evidence-informed systems that work with the body, not against it. My mission is to empower people to take back control of their health, trust their body’s wisdom, and discover that real healing is absolutely possible.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time in my grandmother’s garden in Pretoria. She was a strong believer in natural healing and always had an herbal remedy for everything — whether it was a scraped knee, a sore throat, or a restless night. I loved helping her gather herbs, grind them, and prepare her little “potions.”
I didn’t realize it at the time, but those moments were the foundation of my fascination with natural medicine. It was magical to me — the idea that nature could heal. Looking back, that garden was where I first learned that health and harmony come from working with nature, not against it.
Even now, when I’m helping a patient heal or supporting a family through fertility treatments, I often think of those days — simple, quiet, and full of wonder. That early connection to nature and healing has shaped everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://acupuncturehomeopathy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acuhomeo_clinic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anhclinic
