Dr. Kathy Veon, DAOM, AP, CCN, is a licensed acupuncturist and board certified clinical nutritionist in the state of Florida where she practices acupuncture, nutritional healing, iodine therapy, functional medicine, and more in her practice Central Florida Preventive Medicine. She attended Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine where she earned her post-doctoral degree with internal and physical medicine specialties. She also graduated with honors from Florida College of Integrative Medicine with a Masters of Science of Oriental Medicine. Additionally, she is the committee chair of continuing education with the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists She is committed to giving her patients advanced diagnostic testing with in-depth visits to find the true root cause, and help the body heal.
Welcome, Kathy Veon, DAOM, AP, CCN! Thank you for joining us for Acupuncturist of the Month!
So, how long have you been practicing acupuncture for, and what are your specialties?
I’ve been in practice for 15 years with specialties in Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine & Clinical Nutrition. I’m also certified as an ADS (NADA) and work with people who are seeking healing from trauma and addictions.
What inspired you to become an acupuncturist?
I had acupuncture and loved it. It really helped me heal from allergies, fatigue, pain and just overall re-balancing of my whole being. I wondered “How many people don’t know about this method of healing?” I had always been interested in herbs, nutrition and holistic healing, so I decided to turn my passion for natural healing into a career.
We see that you’ll be speaking at the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN) Scientific Symposium! How exciting! What will your talk be about?
I will be presenting an opening overview of man-made (non-native) nnEMFs are negatively affecting our health through biochemical changes to our bodies. I completed my DAOM at Emperor’s College in Santa Monica, and my Capstone Project was titled “The biological effects of non-native electromagnetic frequencies (nnEMFs) in health and disease patterns. A review of research and findings and recommendations for educating patients and practitioners for the purpose of improving overall health outcomes”.
This is a major concern for all humans and our entire environment. If we can truly understand how WiFi, Cell Towers and Phones, 5G, 4G, 3G, etc., and all wireless devices are affecting our bodies, minds, immune function, DNA, etc. we can better educate our patients on how to navigate these changing times in which we are living. The science and research has existed for decades, but is now being brought to our attention due to the recent worldwide implementation of 5G.
I’ve been on the Board of Directors for the IAACN for almost two years and my job is to organize the annual Scientific Symposium each year. With the emergence of 5G concerns, this is a hot topic right now. Some of the world’s top researchers, scientists and practitioners in this area of expertise will be speaking in Dallas this year. I’m looking forward to it being a great learning experience for all of our attendees.
On your journey to become an acupuncturist, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
The biggest obstacle was just taking that leap to let go of my sales career and go back to school. I’m glad I followed that inner voice which set me on a path of guiding others on their healing journeys.
Share a recent success story you had with a patient. What acupuncture points, herbs, or other interventions (meditation, yoga, nutrition, etc) did you use to help them achieve results?
I’ve been using a lot of NAET lately, which is an allergy elimination technique that uses acupuncture as part of the treatment. So many patients are coming in with food and environmental allergies and sensitivities, so I often use NAET treatments along with probiotics and food therapies to heal the underlying ‘leaky-gut’ issues that have triggered improper immune responses. I recently had a patient who was having a severe sensitivity to onions, and they had difficulty eating out at a restaurant because many of the sauces have onion in them. He was very excited to call me to let me know that he can now eat onions, many broths, sauces and soups without any allergic response or sensitivity. We are all so blessed as acupuncturists to be able to help our patients restore their health in ways that give them many freedoms to enjoy their lives again. It’s the simple things that mean the most!
What makes you feel inspired about acupuncture?
I’m inspired by how powerful acupuncture and Chinese medicine is after all of these thousands of years. We practice a very powerful medicine that has stood the test of time and is still helping so many people heal and live well.
Looking back, what advice would you have given to the younger version of yourself, who was just getting started in this profession?
“Don’t stress, Grasshopper!!” Haha. Our medicine is so deep, so complex, and we are always learning……there is no end to the learning and growing. This is good, but also can be overwhelming to someone just starting out. So I would tell my younger self “Allow your practice to take you on your journey of healing, learning and teaching others. No stress. Just go with the flow. Everthng is in Divine Order.”
What keeps an acupuncture practice going?
First of all, I think it’s a passion for helping and being a healer and a teacher for our patients. Becoming an ‘expert’ in your field of interest….be that ‘go-to’ acupuncturist for the area of practice that most interests and inspires you. The right patients will be drawn to you because you are, and offer, what they need to heal. Also, take time to heal yourself and stay balanced.
What are specific roadblocks to watch out for as a new acupuncturist?
Avoid roadblocks and follow your intuition / spirit.
We have all occasionally had a patient come into our practice who is upset, frustrated, and a little angry. Maybe it’s from work, being stuck in traffic, or life in general – we have all been there! What advice would you give to fellow acupuncture students and/or colleagues on how to deal with situations like these?
People who are angry, upset, frustrated are in pain, either physically or mentally / emotionally, and that’s often why they come for treatment. Having compassion and empathy for their pain and how it is being expressed is often helpful for the person to feel heard, understood and safe. Most of the time, expressing understanding and compassion will diffuse any tense situation, however there are people who, no matter what you do or say to help or accommodate them and their needs, are still not appeased. It’s also important to have healthy boundaries with difficult personalities, so you do not participate in enabling their destructive behaviors.
What are your favorite acupuncture points, and why?
I love ‘earthy’ points, and I love ‘heavenly’ points. Especially in the physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging times we are in, my favorites are ST36, SP6, GB13, DU24, DU20
How has being a board-certified nutritionist benefited your acupuncture practice?
Becoming a CCN has given me a much deeper understanding of biochemical nutrition, detoxification, correcting metabolic errors, homeopathy, preventative care, lab testing and clinical chemistry parameters, nutrigenomics and so many other aspects of healing with food, nutrients, herbs and supplements and lifestyle habits. The study required for the CCN board exam is extensive and the testing and continuing education is very rigorous. It has helped me to have both the insight necessary to uncover the root causes for very complex or difficult cases and the tools to properly and successfully treat the patient and guide them back to health.
Sometimes, the best resource for improving our skills is by learning from the other acupuncturists we meet along our professional journey. What is one thing you learned from a fellow acupuncturist or holistic practitioner, that has helped you in your professional growth, or in your care for patients?
I’m inspired by the Classical wisdom that many teachers share. We had many of these teachers at Emperor’s College and it was such an honor to learn from them. I am so grateful for that experience!! I have been especially inspired by Dr. Lorraine Wilcox and her work in translating the ‘lost’ wisdom from the classical texts so it is never again forgotten. Our medicine is proven and powerful and we should do all we can to preserve the wisdom and healing tools that have been handed down to us.
What made you decide to implement Quantum Reflex Analysis (QRA) in your practice, and how does it benefit the patient?
QRA is based on Chinese meridian theory and employs muscle testing techniques on all of the Mu / Shu points on the body. It’s another ‘hands on’ diagnostic tool we can use to tap into the energies of every organ and gland system of the body to determine where the imbalances are and what herbs, nutrients or other therapies may be helpful in the overall healing of the patient. I also use the QRA testing results to determine if additional Western labs may be beneficial in taking a deeper and more precise look at the biological functions of the body.
The COVID-19 pandemic has without a doubt had a significant impact on the acupuncture practice community and small businesses alike. How have you been handling the COVID-19 situation as an acupuncture practice owner and individual? What advice or wisdom would you like to share with other acupuncturists who are also navigating through these sensitive times?
COVID has been difficult for all of us in many different ways. I am very blessed to live and work in Florida where we are considered primary care and ‘essential’, so we did not have to shut down. For a few months I used telemedicine to continue to treat patients who did not want to come in to the office and that was very helpful. There’s a lot of focus now on mental and emotional health because the lock-downs have brought so much pain in the form of anxiety, depression, and other serious stressors, so I’m trying to focus on supporting my patients with acupuncture, nutrition, herbs, bio-feedback therapies such as EVOX, healthy exercise habits and encouraging patients to spend time outdoors and reconnect with nature, which is very healing for the soul.
Do you have any daily habits or rituals that keep you at your “best-self”, both as an acupuncture practitioner and person?
I believe that what we feed ourselves with creates who we are: body, mind and emotions, so beginning each day with positive readings is something I do for myself and I also post positive messages on social media. Sharing positive, uplifting, encouraging, wise or useful and healing words and images is important to me. I especially love sharing testimonies of healing or self-growth that can give strength or encouragement to others facing similar situations. Difficulties can often make us strong and we can then be a source of strength and healing for others. We can always find someone who needs to be lifted up or encouraged. There is always a place for us to shine our God-given Light and help to make the world a better place for everyone.
Of course, good sleep, daily exercise, nutrient dense and nourishing foods, meditation / prayer, spending time in nature, at the beach or with my dogs, family or friends are all part of my ‘daily routine’ that keeps me being my best self.
The kindest thing a patient said to you recently:
I think the kindest compliment is when patients thank me for just doing what I do.
As an acupuncturist, what are you most proud of thus far in your professional journey?
Well, I feel like there are so many things I never thought I would do or accomplish, but now I have, and I look back and I’m really just proud for just moving forward on this path and saying ‘yes’ to the next opportunity for growth and development….even and especially when I had doubts or was fearful that I couldn’t meet the challenge. I’ve said ‘yes’ to serving on various boards and commissions for my local community, the state of Florida and even on an international level and I never thought I would or even could do that, but I just said ‘yes’ and then went ahead and did it and overcame my fears.
You offer a lot of great therapies at your acupuncture practice! What is Cation Mud Therapy, and how does it work in conjunction with your acupuncture treatments?
Cation Mud Therapy is also known as Pelotherapy and is the medicinal use of clays, minerals and other ‘earth materials’ as an external poultice for healing purposes. Therapeutic clays exhibit absorption, adsorption and ionic exchange actions which make them great for detoxing specific areas of the body. I use them on ‘trauma’ sites on the body, caused by injury or surgery, to remove blockages of ‘Qi’, thereby restoring the normal flow of energy through the meridians and to all the organs and gland of the body. For example, a person may have fallen on their tailbone as a child, but is now experiencing ‘brain fog’ or even high blood pressure or adrenal fatigue. These current health issues can be traced back to that original injury to the tailbone which blocked the Qi from moving freely though the body. The application of therapeutic mud can remove toxins from the previous trauma site and restore the normal flow of Qi. The application of Cation Mud Therapy is based on Chinese meridian theory so it fits well into the practice of acupuncture. I often use the mud therapy in the first session and then follow up at later sessions with acupuncture if needed. Cation Mud Therapy is a very powerful healing modality and it’s one of my favorite therapies to offer to my patients.
If you could have a billboard with anything on it, what would it be and why?
-Be the Change You Want to See in the World
-If the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank You’, that would be enough
These are a reminder that we are more powerful than we know to create widespread change by healing and changing ourselves, and to remain in a state of gratitude for all that we are given.
What is your definition of success?
To me, true success is remembering who you are and why you came here to this Earth, and then moving forward with actually doing it. Every single soul is valuable. We are all students and we are all teachers. We can all ‘remember who we are’ and discover and share our unique gifts with each other. That is true success because it can be easy to ‘forget’ who we are in a world that can seem very chaotic. That’s the challenge!!
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
To be able to turn into a bird and fly. I love to have a ‘birds eye view’ to see how all the ‘individual’ parts fit together to make the ‘whole’. Really, I’m that person on the airplane who sits in the window seat and has their face glued to the window the whole time. I’m fascinated with being able to observe the earth and sky in that way.
*Rapid fire questions!*:
Morning or night? Morning, but I especially love sunrise and sunset time. That transition time is so beautiful.
Tea or coffee? Both
Sun or moon? Both
Cupping or Tui na? Cupping
Yin or Yang? Both!
Meditation or exercise? Hiking is my “meditation”
Instagram or Facebook? Facebook
Where can other licensed acupuncturists, students, and patients go to learn more about your work?
Website: www.drkathyveon.com
Facebook: Central Florida Preventive Medicine
Twitter: @CFPM1
Linked In: Dr. Kathy Veon
God’s Boot Camp Site: https://godsbootcamp.org/
God’s Boot Camp Facebook: God’s Boot Camp
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