Two Paths, One Passion: Our Journey in Acupuncture!
Rachel and Jacob took some time out of their acupuncture studies to share their journey into the world of traditional Chinese medicine!
Why do you want to be an acupuncturist?
Rachael said: For over 20 years, I worked in the fashion industry. I spent a lot of time working in factories in China, so have always been aware of Chinese Medicine. A few years ago, I started training in energy healing and I loved it. I felt like it slowed down my mind, I was able to think more clearly and I also really liked the feeling that I was helping people. It inspired me to look for a change in career and acupuncture felt like the perfect mix of holistic healing, energy, and the human anatomy; which has also been an interest of mine since school. I remember visiting my acupuncturist; seeing all the baby photos and thank you cards on the wall, and thinking what an amazing difference I could make to people’s lives with this wonderful practice.
Jacob said: A number of years ago I started to experience some strange phenomena. As I walked past radiators, kettles, and hobs, my hands felt warm/hot. I had to keep touching them, as it felt like they were on. I thought I was having some neurological issues, but it turned out I was feeling some sort of energy. Over a period of time, I started to also feel a magnetic resistance with energy along with a few other strange oddities. I wanted to do something useful with this ability as I had no idea what to do with it, and after some reflection and going deeper down the rabbit hole, I decided I needed to understand the meridian system and TCM diagnosis to fully utilise it appropriately. At the time I had no interest in using needles, but after the practical application in lectures and clinic, seeing the results, and enjoying the process, I’m finding that perhaps acupuncture is more the path I will be taking than I originally thought or intended.
Why have you chosen NCA?
Rachael said: I live in Leeds so it is very convenient for me. I can be at college within an hour from home. But also, I was so indecisive about leaving my current job and making such a big life change. My friend suggested I look around the college and speak to some of the current students, in the hope that I would know instinctively if applying was the right decision. She was right, after the introductory, I really felt that this was the right path for me. The NCA is not a giant campus where I would feel insignificant. It’s a small, supportive environment that has a real family feel. The current students made me believe, even though I didn’t finish my A-levels and I didn’t feel academically minded, that I would be able to succeed on the course with the great support provided by the NCA.
Jacob said: I spent some time researching where to go, as I lived in Bulgaria at the time and had the freedom to go anywhere in the country. I chose the NCA for a few reasons. The first was the supportive nature of the College. It is such a huge subject and although I was keen, to get back into study, hearing that supporting students was a priority made me feel much more comfortable taking on such a vast subject. I’m glad I did because, without the NCA’s high level of support for students, it would be a lot more challenging, to say the least.
The city of York is another reason. It is a beautiful city in which I spent the first year of college just around the corner. Being there has been an amazing experience that will stay with me forever, they will always be my York years. The college is highly rated and I wanted to get the best education I could.
What are you enjoying about studying acupuncture?
Rachael said: I really enjoyed the foundations of the Chinese medicine module in my first year. It really is fascinating. I love the history of this ancient system and also how when learning about the different patterns within diagnosis, you can spot these symptoms in a patient and it all starts to click together like a big jigsaw and make total sense. I also love the days we do in the student clinic. You meet so many interesting and lovely people and get to see how their conditions and general well-being improve over the sessions they have. No two days in the clinic are the same, they are really fast-paced, you learn so much and it really reminds you what all the hard work is for – to become an acupuncturist and have your own clinic helping people! I’ve enjoyed the social aspect of the college. I have made some wonderful friends on the course. Everyone is so supportive and we really cheer each other on.
Jacob said: The challenges and volume of learning, I enjoy the alternating learning meridians. Online E-Learning at our own pace, in college lectures, even the teams’ live sessions, and of course Clinic. Being a 3rd year student in the clinic is very different, I actually feel like a practitioner already and the interactions with other students and clinic supervisors really bring something special to what we are doing. There is a sense of community where everyone understands what we are going through. It is very supportive and rewarding. Another aspect I enjoy is the modules, the information is so different but brings everything together, such as the TCM theory and the biomedicine overlapping, the bodywork, and early learning of palpation. Pulse and tongue and how this correlates with and confirms everything else. There is too much to mention really but I think it’s safe to say that like TCM everything is connected and everything we learn is valuable and part of the whole picture.
How do you see yourself as an acupuncturist?
Rachael said: My plan for the future is to work from home and, hopefully, convert an area of the house that will work as a clinic. I think this would provide a great work/life balance and I can work around my family. I am undecided on what I would like to specialise in, but I’m really interested in facial acupuncture, fertility, and paediatrics – so many interesting areas I can look into after graduating. I would love to get involved in charity work too. To be able to provide acupuncture treatments for the patients at the hospice where my best friend passed away would be very fulfilling.
Jacob said: I would like to think I would be a sensitive and intuitive acupuncturist, I enjoy clinic and seem to get on very well with the patients. My practice would also be a safe place for clients to start a healing process as soon as they walk in. The patient practitioner relationship is very important to me. Being part of the community, and in time I would like to add craniosacral therapy in conjunction with acupuncture, this is something I will begin next year along with continued TCM studies (it never really stops).
on Keith’s forehead
Why do you recommend acupuncture, what are the benefits?
Rachael said: I believe that life is all about balance and acupuncture is a great way to balance the body. I think Western medicine sometimes prescribes medication to mask a patient’s symptoms without looking at solving the root cause. Chinese medicine looks at the patient as a whole individual rather than just their symptoms and addresses any underlying imbalances. It’s so interesting that two patients could have the same Western medicine diagnoses, but because Chinese Medicine looks into the individual, not their illness, their Chinese medicine diagnosis could be completely different to each other! This holistic approach helps to balance the whole body so there are so many other positive outcomes for the patient, not just help with their original complaint.
Jacob said: The benefits are that the current and fairly young ‘health system’ has its place, but has a more reductive outlook, separate systems that are not connected to other systems which is something I struggle with, as we know everything is connected. There is no effort to find the root cause, it is more symptom relief and cutting things. I have never really understood how it could continue to not see its errors and correct itself. It is not an evolving system. Acupuncture is a whole system approach, everything is connected and the concept is to bring the dysfunction back into balance. It is aligned with nature and balance and the body’s ability to heal itself given the chance. We bring the body back online so it may do what it does better than any intervention. It is thousands of years old and has thousands of years of evidence base and evolution sewn within it. In my opinion, it is the safest form of medical treatment for the vast majority of ailments that I know of.
What are your plans for the near future?
Rachael said: I’m really excited to get back to college after the summer and keen to start learning again! I have completed my NADA auricular acupuncture training recently, so I’m eager to get set up and offer that together with Reiki to help subsidise me through the next 2 years of study.
Jacob said: Getting through year 3 – a bottle of champagne!!! Then I will start my practice in a local chiropractic clinic as the only acupuncturist. I’m hoping to fill 3 days which will allow me to continue studying and start my journey into craniosacral therapy. I think it will be very interesting to see where using my abilities with feeling and moving energy in craniosacral and acupuncture will take me. I’m hoping to be able to blend the two into my own unique treatment.
before his treatment
Inspired by Rachael and Jacob? Considering studying acupuncture with us at NCA?
There are many ways to find out more! Call us on 01904 343305 (ex 2) – fill out our enquiry form – click here – book an online or in-person introductory event – click here to book your place