Chinese medicine has Eight Branches of care: acupuncture + moxa, tuina, bonesetting, herbology, qigong, meditation, divination, and nutrition.
From 2000 to about 2015 I trained in as many of these as I could, with a focus on Chinese injury medicine. Taking classes and interning with acknowledged masters through the traditional models that had been around for generations. I saw almost exclusively injury and pain conditions in my practice, focusing on sports injuries, dance injuries, martial arts injuries, sedentary and lifestyle injuries.
In 2005 I graduated from Tri-State College of Acupuncture (now closed) with a Master's in Science, and was granted a License in Acupuncture (MSLAc) after passing the national boards. For those who don't know, a master's in acupuncture requires 3 years of training similar to premedical. These days, there is also a doctorate which I don't know much about, but judging from the new generation of DACM's I believe it's quite rigorous.
Around 2010 my people began to age, start families, and run into challenges beyond the tools I had at the time, so I began pursuing continuing education that would prepare me to support them through those challenges. It was also about that time that we started to see neurological, social, and physical detriments of social media, texting, sweeteners and colors, seed oils, among others.
My philosophy on healing is to meet people where they are, be thorough but not overwhelming. I want to take care of you in a way that is so unique and clear, you can feel my intention.
Below you will find a list of some of the more important trainings I've participated in. It is non-exhaustive and still growing.
Scalp Acupuncture for Neurological Rehabilitation - Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. Approx 2 days, ~ 4hrs clinical. Took course twice. Focus on strokes, Alzheimers, some concussion and phantom pain.
Chinese Medicine in Oncology: How to safely and effectively treat children and adults with cancer, the role of Chinese medicine in addressing side-effects of chemo-radiation therapy and complications commonly associated with common cancers using a whole system approach. Cancer prevention, treatment of survivors, and end of life care. Two-day seminar, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, 2016
Acupuncture / Acupressure in Labor and Delivery - Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. Approx 2 days, ~ 4hrs clinical. Took the course three times.
Dr. Zhu's Scalp Acupuncture Lvl 1 - incredibly effective method for neurological injuries, accidents, degenerative conditions, and undiagnosed conditions which manifest neurologically. Also temporary pain management techniques, 3 days, mainly clinical. San Diego, California
Methods and Research in Concussion - Staten Island University Hospital
Learned from some of the most skilled Occupational Therapists who had worked in the specialty field of concussion science and treatment since the NFL concussion crisis which started around 1994. Two day course, 4hrs clinical. Took the course twice.
Certification in Chinese Orthopedic Manual Techniques, TuiNa, and Bonesetting - 3 years, 7 modules. Seventh module was invite-only. I completed the entire training twice, interned with the founder, performed TuiNa on almost every patient in their practice, and was trusted to cover their practice using acupuncture, TuiNa, and Bonesetting while they were on leave. I was fanatical about TuiNa and Bonesetting, and I must say they are still my first love.
Orthopedic Acupuncture - same organization as above, multiple levels. Repeated courses whenever offered.
Paul Nogier's Auricular Acupuncture Level 1 - completed this level in California. Auricular acupuncture is especially effective for ANS problems, stress, ptsd, cptsd, addiction, and any scenario in which people may become dysregulated such as autism, ADHD, public safety or the military, public education, or parenting. NADA protocol was shown in this course.
Multiple courses in Qi Gong and the traditional methods of movement rehabilitation by different teachers, over 20 years.
Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Lvl 1, 2022 - dynamic and effective coaches and therapists who double as accomplished weight- or power-lifters. Latest research, theories, protocols, and compassion training.
David Elliott's Breathwork Facilitator Training Levels 1-4, 2020
This was the last course David offered as a 4-level package. I don't remember if there was a certificate offered (I wasn't there for a cert). The following year, when in-person instruction resumed, David expanded his training into 5 levels, the additional level having been contained in the Level 4 which I took (I received the most complete training possible).