Amber and The Atomic Bomb of Awesomeness: A Tale of How One Friend’s Advice Changed My Life

My all time favorite question from people is, What made you choose acupuncture? I have a prepared short answer that I give during conversations, but this is my blog, so I’m going to take advantage and tell the whole story…

Before I can get to the really good part, I feel like I should fill you in on the history and BAE (Before Acupuncture Era) part of my life.

The first thing I can remember ever wanting to be was a cattle rancher. I’m not even certain I truly understood what that meant but on a level I think I wanted to be a cowboy. I say cowBOY because I liked being outside, dirty, and active. When I grew up, cowgirls weren’t what they can be today. I wasn’t interested in being pretty or frilly dresses. So I wanted to be a cattle rancher. Then there were a host of other professions including veterinarian, police, officer, lawyer, and psychologist. By the time I was midway through my bachelor’s degree I had settled on psychology. I was going to save the world by mending minds and healing hearts. Then I started my internship and my research courses and NOOOO! The stories were too heartbreaking and I did not excel at separating myself from the sadness – the unaware empath. The research courses were insufferably boring. I was less interested in studying graphs and numbers and taking surveys than making an actual difference and seeing said difference with my own eyes. I wanted to practice psychology, not advance the science of it thru studies and research. Now I understand that one is the foundation for the other, but at the time all I knew what this was not exactly what I was looking for. I wondered to myself, were my parents right? Was there truly no such thing as some fulfilling career that would be something I could be proud of and proud of doing for 20 or 30 years? Would I, no matter what path I chose, become a jaded drone shuffling to work to cash out a paycheck in an effort to experience small moments of joy with my family or on vacation? (Like so many tv sitcoms and running jokes of bored husbands and nagging wives). I wanted to wake up and be excited to go to work for more than 3 months. I wanted a career where I could evolve and feel like I was doing something that affected those around me, fed my curiosity, demanded I use my brain, and wasn’t the same daily routine. Could I have this and still have a career that allows me to feed my family and engage in extracurricular activities? Or would I have to choose between the two?

It was then that I realized that what I was searching for was my calling, what I refer to as “the one.” Let me explain, when they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was responding with answers that were “the right fit.” It was less about the actual profession than what I wanted to achieve. I realize now that I was looking for my “prince charming” in the form of a career. Yes, I know fairytales involve a couple and some amazing happily ever after. But my happily ever after wasn’t some magical kingdom waiting to be ruled, it was finding my calling. For years I wandered and tried a variety of jobs. None of them quite right. I worked in a bakery, in daycares, restaurants. Nothing interested me for more than a few months. I had a plethora of interests. I was always picking up some new hobby, many of them losing their shine after a few months. I started to think I was the problem and maybe I just needed to be “more realistic” and “settle down.” I had met and married my husband. He was much more sure. Finished his BA in business administration and went directly for his MBA in international business. Why couldn’t I be so sure? He got his MBA and we began our travels. We moved to Spain and then to Mexico. His job afforded us the luxury of travel so we visited many different places and countries. All the while I’m picking up new hobbies and trying on “homemaker.” Again, it was fun for awhile but I soon became bored with the routine and monotony of cooking, laundry, housekeeping. I picked up more hobbies and interests. Painting, spirituality, meditation, crochet, wood burning, the list goes on ad nauseum. I am thoroughly grateful for my curious mind and I enjoyed everything I did while I did it, but it wasn’t what I was looking for. They were all crackerjack boxes without prizes at the bottom. Then I focused more seriously on tarot, the power of the mind, meditation, chakras. I learned about Mayan folk medicine and spirituality. This inspired me to look at other cultures and their beliefs. This however was all very occult and still not quite complete. Then came the time to return to the US. Time to settle down, be close to family, and stop living like “gypsies.” I thought settling down would make me “grow up” and “settle down.” I thought I’d be like my old friends from high school and college. Settling into a “normal” routine, having a “normal” job, starting a family and living like some sitcom series in which life is routine, typical vacations, typical life. Let me be clear, IF this fits you – grab it, take it, make it yours. But I have never conformed or followed the rules well, as hard as my mom tried. I am not a go with the flow person. I have never been someone who likes to be told what to do even when I was trying to fit in, I didn’t really want to fit in. I just wanted to be able to be me without having to compensate for being that way.

Now comes the fun part.

So the husband and I moved back to the states, I was now 30 and I had no real marketable skills, no direction, and no idea what to do about it. I went back to working at a daycare since my resume now had a 6 year gap in it and no one in florida seemed to want to hire someone like the person I present on paper. It turns out beach bum, traveling gypsy, and student of life aren’t acceptable entries for a resume, once I left those off, I didn’t really have much to add.

One day, My longest (oldest implies she’s an old lady and she isn’t!) and one of my best friends calls me and after some chatting she mentions considering seeing an acupuncturist for a more holistic approach to a medical concern she was facing. (I won’t mention what since that is not my story to tell). She had seen her MD and specialists and nothing seemed to be working. I don’t recall how she’d heard about acupuncture but she had started researching it. She mentioned to me that I might be interested in knowing more about it, that it sounded like things that interested me already. I had a VERY vague idea of what acupuncture was but nothing other than the literal definition. Amber, said best friend who dropped a bomb of awesomeness on my life that day, sent me some information and basically put me on the path to finding what I had spent more than half my life looking for. Within weeks of Amber’s mentioning acupuncture to me, I had researched what acupuncture was and what traditional Chinese medicine was. I do not exaggerate when I say it was like being struck by creative lightning. Like being in a cartoon or comic book where the idea bulb pops over your head with some genius and long awaited plan. THIS! THIS was what I had been looking for. Like a lost sailor finding home. The fabled Dream Job. The OMG I love all aspects of my life, I-can’t-even-complain-that-its-Monday career. The elusive unicorn of all professions. My prince charming. The career that could offer me the freedom to make my own rules, the blessing of affecting those around me, the joy of constant learning. The tall, dark, and handsome of my dreams.

Now, how do I get there? I would just like to thank the inventors of the internet and google for helping me out here. That is exactly what I did. I googled acupuncture schools, accreditation, programs, anything I could think of and poured over it. I made a clearly thought out and rational decision to — No, No I didn’t. I found a local school, downloaded the application, called, set up an appointment for both an acupuncture visit and a meeting with the director of admissions. Within a couple of weeks I had transferred my transcripts, filled out the financial aid information, signed up, tuned in, and committed to becoming an acupuncturist. While I MAYBE should have taken a little time and investigated other schools, I wanted this and I wanted this ASAP. I knew in my soul of souls that this is what I had been looking for. This was what I wanted to be when I finally grew up.

I started school and found myself learning more than I had even planned. Not just about acupuncture and adjunctive therapies, but I learned about the interconnectedness of our bodies. We are not a circulatory system or a gi system or an endocrine system. All of our systems and biological processes are one system and each reflects the other. I learned about the value of not JUST treating the mind OR the body but treating both. I learned about being respectful of the things you put into your bodies. Foods, medicines, etc. I learned that even though you cannot always see the energy that is being moved or manipulated, you, the patient, and those around both of you will see the effects. I learned that I will forever be a student, I cannot avoid being a teacher, and I am responsible for giving 100%, 100% of the time.

The Dixie Chicks have a song called, Taking the Long Way. Some of the lyrics say:

My friends from high school
Married their high school boyfriends
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
Where their parents live

But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

and

I’ve been a long time gone now
Maybe someday, someday I’m gonna settle down
But I’ve always found my way somehow

By taking the long way
Taking the long way around

This song has become the theme song in the movie of my life. I did not always know what I really wanted and I did now have direction fresh out of college. I was 31 when I started working on my master’s of oriental medicine, I’m 36 now and I’m still working my tail off, but its working. I took the long way, I never followed. I explored, got a little lost, traveled, and learned. It didn’t turn out like I thought it was supposed to, but it did turn out like I’d hoped and I love it.

So while Amber set me on the path to my dream job, she also gave my scattered life a path and direction I can only hope and wish on others.

Why I’ve fired patients

That’s right, I’ve fired patients and its possible that I’ll do it again! I love what I do and give it 100%, as do most acupuncturists. I genuinely care that my patients get well and there is little more disheartening than a patient who isn’t compliant. Compliance is how well the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations; herbal formulas or medicines, exercise regimens, dietary changes, etc. Essentially, the homework portion of a care plan. I get it, change is hard. Change is especially hard when its a lifestyle change. I wasn’t raised in an all natural or holistic environment; nor did I just wake up one day knowing how to take control and responsibility for my health. It was and STILL IS an evolving and painstaking process. I forget my herbs, I love fried chicken and bacon as much as the next girl, I am not always at the gym when I should be – but I try and every day new habits are easier, old ones are fading, and I am better.
Your health is your responsibility. You have to be involved. Acupuncture is something I do TO people, but health isn’t something that should be pushed on you. Its up to you to do your part too. Wanting the absolute best for my patients means late night researching, squinting at my screen for endless hours, consulting with other docs and therapists (md’s, chiro’s, other acupuncturists, massage therapists, hypnotherapists, reiki….), wracking my brain for every last bit of info I’ve read or learned or heard about regarding your condition so patients get the absolute best care. Most holistic healers are like this. I am not special or looking for thank yous or even appreciation. Most of us are are natural born healers and will always place the wellness of our patients above all else.
Remember that the formula or supplement I prescribed took me awhile to pick out just for you, the diet I created is tailored to YOUR needs and took me days to balance and put together, I pick points out specifically for your condition and symptoms. So when you come in add aren’t taking the meds, haven’t done the stretches, didn’t even look at the diet,  frequently cancel appointments, yes, I’ll fire you.
I do my best to make changes easy and sustainable for my patients and while I appreciate their monetary contributions to my habits of spoiling my bull terriers, what I’m really after is their health and wellness!
Having said all this,  if you come to me for a condition, like migraines and you’re compliant, and a year later there’s no improvement, you should fire me too!
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@healingwellacu

What can acupuncture “do”?

I hear this question so often, you’d think I’d have a better answer besides, EVERYTHING. My next 2 favorite responses are “If you don’t need stitches or a cast, call me first,” and “If you can see your primary for it, I can treat it too.” While to some these might be understandable and acceptable answers, it occurred to me – after many blank stares in response – that these responses may be too broad or too vague to be helpful or informative.

So, what CAN acupuncture help with or heal? For starters, it helps with acute problems – recent injuries and illnesses that come up. Like a sprained ankle, sports injuries, the stomach bug going around at the office, the flu your little one brought home from school, seasonal allergies and colds too. Acupuncture also helps with chronic problems. Issues like chronic sciatica, diabetes, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, insomnia, skin conditions, hormone imbalances, and adrenal fatigue to list a few. A few slim, painless needles can be astoundingly wonderful at tightening and toning up the skin, as well as increasing the blood flow – these methods are natural replacements for botox and facelifts! My personal favorite, mental health. Acupuncture is much more successful than standard care options in cases of mental health concerns. Depression, bipolar, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, unresolved emotions, and addiction are just a few problems that can be better treated, managed, or healed with acupuncture.

All that being said, not many people want to sit for a lecture in response to a simple question. So after much consideration, thought and something said to me in passing, I’ve come up with what I believe might be an ideal response. Acupuncture can do a great many things. Let me ask, what ails you and I’ll tell you what acupuncture can do for you!
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@healingwellacu