I often get asked why I chose to pursue Chinese medicine.  Odd as it may sound, I discovered Chinese medicine to be a combination of two subjects that have always fascinated me:  natural healing and the theory of physics.  For years I had no idea the two of them make a perfect marriage in the science of Chinese medicine.  It seemed the more I read about acupuncture the more I became intrigued.  Those hours of self-study eventually paved the way to a formal education because acupuncture is not something that can be learned from a book, traditionally being apprenticed through years of arduous study and training.

Because of my discovery of the many parallels I decided to take the "quantum leap" to begin my immersion into these sciences at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine near Boone, North Carolina.   It is a four-year masters diploma program.   Most people are not aware of the level of commitment becoming a licensed acupuncturist demands.  Four years of college is required before applying to acupuncture school.  My fourth year there was spent as an intern treating patients in the very busy school clinic.  Upon graduating, I had three national board exams to pass before I could apply for my license in North Carolina. 

Classical Chinese medicine involves the use of acupuncture, which refers to the process of inserting very fine one-use-only sterile needles into specific point locations on the body for the purpose of restoring natural regulatory processes with no side effects.  My education was unique in that it included a variety of other ancient healing modalities that greatly accentuate the efficacy of acupuncture, such as moxabustion (instilling a biogenic form of energy into points using the herb mugwort), cupping (respiratory treatment using glass cups that create a vacuum on the skin), guasha (gentle scraping to break up stagnations), and tuina (Asian bodywork).  Being that my training is classical I can treat patients much the same way it was done thousands of years ago.  Patients find these approaches to be very soothing and relaxing in addition to their therapeutic value.

Returning to the roots of classical techniques goes immensely well other conventional Western medical approaches, which is why I wanted to join Therapeutic Life Center, a busy private practice offering premium occupational and physical therapies,
where we are effectively combining the best of both worlds.  All of the therapists work together to offer patients more alternatives to improving their health and wellbeing.  It's an ideal environment for both the patients and their therapists.

This is proving to be a very rewarding career as I am continually amazed at the results of acupuncture.  One example of its effectiveness is the results I've seen with my mother who is a diabetic.  On occasion she will develop cyclic shooting pains that run down her legs into her feet.  She can't take enough prescription drugs to ease the pain.  Each time it occurs my dad brings her to me and within twenty minutes the pain begins to subside and then stops altogether with acupuncture in conjunction with an herbal treatment called moxabustion.  Spasms of that nature must be severely painful. And to think that just a few strategically placed needles is all that is needed to stop it!

Another area that most people are not aware of is how acupuncture can help with overcoming drug, alcohol, and cigarette addictions with significantly less withdrawal symptoms.  Since I also have a degree in substance abuse counseling, helping people with addictions is important to me.  Two years ago I treated a man for alcohol addiction.  After many years of drinking he had lost his job, wrecked his vehicles, and had strained family relationships.  With only five acupuncture treatments he was able to remain sober and is now a well trusted and appreciated employee in my husband's business.  Currently, I am in the process of organizing smoking cessation workshops to offer assistance to smokers who are ready to give up that destructive habit.

Unfortunately, many people won't try acupuncture until they have exhausted all conventional approaches and nothing has helped.  I want them to know how powerfully effective this medicine can be.  It is therapeutic in addressing longstanding conditions but it can also be valuable in preventing a small problem from becoming a big one. 

Overall, acupuncture is becoming more sought after as a healing modality though it is still catching on in the Greenville area.   I believe knowledge is key and I enjoy sharing about this fascinating healing science.   There certainly is a reason why Classical Chinese Medicine has withstood the test of time and I am honored to be able to offer these ancient healing techniques to our community.

You can reach Paulette at 252-209-6593 to find out more about how Chinese Medicine can help you.