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My Own Healing
Journey
My interest in acupuncture
grew naturally out of my own healing journey. In 1984, I was involved
in a car accident with an 18-wheeler that changed the course of my life.
It happened in a split second, and resulted in a closed head injury, fractured
spine, sciatica nerve pain down both legs, and nerve pain down both arms.
The first year after the accident, due to the pain, I slept only one or
two hours a night. Because of the head injury, I often got lost going
to the most familiar places. I forgot how to add or subtract. Inexplicably,
I walked away from conversations in mid sentence. I was unable to work
for a year and, eventually, I realized that I could no longer do the physical
labor required of a physical therapist. Gradually the most severe symptoms
improved, but the accident changed my inner and outer worlds dramatically.
Although I continued to experience
problems, I made the decision to go to medical school. To my utter amazement,
I did well and completed a family practice residency serving as chief
resident in my final year. My medical degree did not come easily or without
a price. I looked normal and, by most standards, I appeared to be functioning
quite well. Yet, I knew I needed to continue healing. Seeking out many
different approaches, I found a few that helped but none seemed to get
to the root of the problem.
Soon after completing my residency,
I took my first course in acupuncture and knew immediately that I wanted
to pursue this for my patients and for myself. I began offering acupuncture
to my family practice patients, and observed how well they improved.
I was eager to further my training
when I learned about a four-year advanced Traditional Chinese Acupuncture
program for physicians. I enrolled, and discovered that this was the depth
of training I had been searching for. The theory of acupuncture was explained
using Chinese philosophy while respecting our training and experiences
in Western medicine.
At the same time, I was treated
with acupuncture at a profound level for my injuries under the guidance
of my teacher, Anita Cignolini, M.D. Over a period of two years I underwent
several courses of treatment and began to improve more than I ever dreamed
possible. The most profound change was in my renewed connection to my
self. Gradually, I regained my energy, the pain lessened, and I had the
sense that my life had been given back to me.
My years of study with Dr.
Cignolini enable me to provide this deep level of acupuncture to my own
patients, integrating all I know in both Western and Chinese medicine.
In 2001, I established my own Traditional Chinese Acupuncture practice
in Dallas, Texas. I believe life takes us where we need to go, and it
brings me great joy to help my patients along on their own healing journeys.
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