So, how long have you been practicing acupuncture for, and what are your specialties?
I’ve been practicing since 2012 and I specialize treating chronic low back pain, emotional-rooted chronic pain and cosmetic acupuncture.
Tell us about your experience in the medical corporate world, and how this led you to pursue a different career path in massage therapy, and then finally acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to help others feel better. Growing up I would always answer the question “what do you want to be when you grow up” with “A Pediatrician!” Going through high school my answered changed to “ a Nurse” because I wanted a more hands on. Once in university, I pursued my RN degree and some how the school of nursing lost my application and had to re-submit and get on a 2 year waiting list! This was very discouraging and so I pursued health service administration, or as I call it the ‘business side’ of medicine. While in my last corporate job with a large cancer practice, I was learning and experiencing how lacking in compassion ‘medical business’ really is.
So I found myself in massage school where I discovered my talent for ‘hands on’ healing! While in massage school, my instructor recommended I try acupuncture. It took me a few months to gather my courage, because needless to say! After 2 treatments I had my ah-ha moment and noticed how much my health had improved and decided to start acupuncture school as soon as I finished massage school. While in school for acupuncture I learned that THIS is where I was meant to be. Fast forward, best decision I made!
On your journey to become an acupuncturist, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
The biggest obstacle at first was understanding our bodies from a new perspective that was literally Chinese! Once the information started to click and make more sense, the obstacle became balancing school, work, my daughter, family and myself. Needless to say to say, financially was also a bit of an obstacle but I am very blessed to have been able to handle those obstacles.
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 am currently treating a 67 year old man with trigeminal nerve pain that he has been battling for 9 months. His story is ‘what came first, the chicken or the egg’ scenario. He had dental work because he was having sharp pain in 2 molars but that made the pain worse. His neurologist cannot determine if the issue was already there and dental work was not necessary or if the dental work has caused all the nerve pain. The neurologist also told my patient that if the medications have not worked, he will be dealing with the pain the rest of his life. I have treated him 5 times and he now reports taking half the medication dose, he is able to chew normally, and has returned to his active lifestyle, and his pain is down from a 10/10 to a 4/10.
You have a world of experience in the eastern medicine field. Which work or educational experience do you feel impacted you and your practice the most to get you to the point you are today?
I think it has been a combination of events that I can best summarize as being able to see my patients transform from their pain state back to their true self in a few sessions.
What makes you feel inspired about acupuncture?
Acupuncture never ceases to amaze me! When I use a particular approach, like Kiiko or Tung, and having the patient tell me while I am still needling that they can no longer feel their pain or feel a sense of calmness that they have not experienced before!
Looking back, what advice would you have given to the younger version of yourself, who was just getting started in this profession?
Always listen actively to what your patients say but more so to what they do not say – there is where the key to their root is usually found. Do not be discouraged when a patient says there is no change because they need to re-learn neurologically how not to perceive pain.
What keeps an acupuncture practice going?
It is a challenge but it comes down to word of mouth referrals. Also being patient with insurance companies but they do help keep you busy. It is important to make sure your contact information with the insurance companies is accurate.
What are specific roadblocks to watch out for as a new acupuncturist?
Falling into paying for marketing and advertising or for someone to manage your social media. This can work if you already have the capital for it but not when just starting out.
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?
What has worked for me is to give them time to vent their emotions before starting the intake process. Looking at them when they are venting and just listen. I have seen the anger, frustrations and rage fall off their face and out of their eyes when given the space to vent to someone who is listening.
What are your favorite acupuncture points, and why?
Ear Shenmen with the 4 Gates! I treat a lot of veterans, and this never fails to ease them into the treatment. Especially if I have to do a lot of palpation to illicit the pain, it calms their over-reactive nervous system.
Tell us about some herbal formulas and foods you find yourself consistently recommending to your patients, friends, and colleagues. What makes these herbs/foods so helpful?
I really do not have a particular herbal formula or food that I recommend consistently. What I do recommend consistently is to eat balanced – a protein, good fat, good carbs.
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 think the most valuable skill I have learned from a colleague, or improved upon, is how to reward a question or explanation to help the patient answer truthfully and thoroughly.
What are some daily habits or rituals you practice that keep you feeling your best?
I work in gratitude, from gratitude and give gratitude. I also work hard in my sleep hygiene – make sure I get 7 hours of sleep a night. I exercise 4-5 times a week. Drink plenty of water.
The kindest thing a patient said to you recently:
“I cannot thank you enough for keeping me from having shoulder surgery and getting back to my swimming and cycling with no pain! You are my angel and miracle worker!”
“I want to thank you for actually listening to all I have to say and helping me figure out how to help myself heal.”
These are very comforting and helps to silence my ‘imposter syndrome thoughts’!
The funniest thing a patient said to you recently:
“Who would have thought a chicken like me would be asking for acupuncture and injection therapy 3 times a week!” She is a 64 year old female who has a fear of needles beyond reason!
As an acupuncturist, what are you most proud of thus far in your professional journey?
I am very proud of having relocated to work for an established clinic to then have to start my own practice not knowing many people and watching it slowly and steadily grow. All while completing my doctoral degree.
What is your definition of success?
Being able to do something that I genuinely enjoy doing while I am helping others find their health.
If you could have a billboard with anything on it, what would it say?
Keep moving forward! You can only know how great you can be if you keep moving forward!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
This is a tough question for me. I would like to be able to know what the root of a persons issues is from just looking at them and help them heal faster.
If you were to choose a spirit animal for yourself, what would it be and why?
I think I have a few spirit animals. One is the sloth: I love to sleep, always have! The other is a Tiger: they are smart, effective in their hunting, and they are beautiful!
Rapid fire questions!
Morning or night? Morning
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Sun or moon? Sun
Cupping or Tui na? Tui na
Yin or Yang? Yin
Meditation or exercise? Exercise is meditation for me
Instagram or Facebook? Instagram
Top 3 Favorite Books? Where The Red Fern Grows. The Discovery of Witches series. The London House.
Where can other practitioners, acupuncture students, and patients go to learn more about you and your work? (include any links to your social media pages, practice web page, etc.)
Www.michellestherapiesacu.com michelles_therapies_Acu on instagram Michelle Zamora on Facebook
