Why I Practice & Studied Acupuncture
When I was 11, my mom had a chronic illness that extensive Western medicine could not help. She turned to a renowned acupuncturist in Honolulu -- Dr. Chang Yi Hsiang (aka Lily Siou) -- a 64th generation Taoist Master from China, who had fled to Honolulu during the Cultural Revolution and started a school in the Six Chinese Healing Arts, which included acupuncture. She had a thriving clinic where she treated dignitaries, business leaders, and anyone else who needed her care. Her clinic and her height were modest, but her presence and skill immense.
One day, she convinced an 11 year old waiting for her mom in the acupuncture clinic to try acupuncture for her cold. Her gentleness touched my heart, her humor made me laugh, and her treatment cured my sore throat. Acupuncture and herbal medicine became my primary care. She helped me through a variety of both serious and routine illnesses -- common colds, urinary tract infections, tumors, lower back pain, ankle sprains, and severe allergic skin reactions. I had great respect for this woman who, with few words, seemed to read inside of me and unlock within me the ability to feel well and vibrant. Throughout college with various ailments, I tried other acupuncturists or alternative care, but would not see the results. She became dear to me and someone whom I relied upon wherever I was on the globe. I often tried to find books on Traditional Chinese Medicine and made a mental note that one day, post retirement, I might study this art for fun.
I knew with all the certainty of a 22 year old that there was nothing stopping me from becoming a high level ambassador or diplomat and was in the middle of pursuing those ambitions when, on a pitstop through Hawai'i, she approached me after a treatment and invited me to study with her at her school of Chinese medicine. Her master's program required three years of study (now four), and this did not fit neatly into my plans of returning to D.C.'s School of Foreign Service. "I don't ever see having a practice treating people." "Just go to one class, tonight," she said.
That night, on my drive back home from my first acupuncture class, I pulled over by the side of a dark, quiet road and knew something was forever changed. Three years later, I graduated with a Masters in Oriental Medicine from Tai Hsuan College of Oriental Medicine (now named World Medicine Institute), and became licensed to practice in Hawaii. I immediately joined an established Doctor of Naturopathy's office as his acupuncturist and for 13 years maintained a private practice. While I was successful at acupuncture, I never considered it my "real job" until recently. Throughout my practice, I've always maintained a job working in the social justice and legal aid community. When I moved to California, I had to re-enroll in a California masters program in order to sit for California's licensing exam. In 2007, I graduated (again) and was licensed in California. Since that time, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been my single focus.
One day, she convinced an 11 year old waiting for her mom in the acupuncture clinic to try acupuncture for her cold. Her gentleness touched my heart, her humor made me laugh, and her treatment cured my sore throat. Acupuncture and herbal medicine became my primary care. She helped me through a variety of both serious and routine illnesses -- common colds, urinary tract infections, tumors, lower back pain, ankle sprains, and severe allergic skin reactions. I had great respect for this woman who, with few words, seemed to read inside of me and unlock within me the ability to feel well and vibrant. Throughout college with various ailments, I tried other acupuncturists or alternative care, but would not see the results. She became dear to me and someone whom I relied upon wherever I was on the globe. I often tried to find books on Traditional Chinese Medicine and made a mental note that one day, post retirement, I might study this art for fun.
I knew with all the certainty of a 22 year old that there was nothing stopping me from becoming a high level ambassador or diplomat and was in the middle of pursuing those ambitions when, on a pitstop through Hawai'i, she approached me after a treatment and invited me to study with her at her school of Chinese medicine. Her master's program required three years of study (now four), and this did not fit neatly into my plans of returning to D.C.'s School of Foreign Service. "I don't ever see having a practice treating people." "Just go to one class, tonight," she said.
That night, on my drive back home from my first acupuncture class, I pulled over by the side of a dark, quiet road and knew something was forever changed. Three years later, I graduated with a Masters in Oriental Medicine from Tai Hsuan College of Oriental Medicine (now named World Medicine Institute), and became licensed to practice in Hawaii. I immediately joined an established Doctor of Naturopathy's office as his acupuncturist and for 13 years maintained a private practice. While I was successful at acupuncture, I never considered it my "real job" until recently. Throughout my practice, I've always maintained a job working in the social justice and legal aid community. When I moved to California, I had to re-enroll in a California masters program in order to sit for California's licensing exam. In 2007, I graduated (again) and was licensed in California. Since that time, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been my single focus.