Why I Became an Acupuncture Physician

I’ve been in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years now, and throughout that time, I’ve acquired what seems like an endless list of additional certifications. I’m always on the lookout for another skill or another perspective to better understand and meet my patients’ needs. My very first tool to add to my massage therapist and master aesthetician toolbox was Reiki, and I became a Reiki Master early in 2005. From there, the designatory letters at the end of my name grew to include myofascial release therapist, integrative manual therapist (a form of physical therapy), sound healer, holistic life coach, ketogenic diet counselor, and doula—the list, somewhat embarrassingly, goes on.

I had become a self-professed certification junkie, simply unable to get enough of integrative health and wellness. Any new problem that someone presented with in the spa became my new obsession. I found it difficult to accurately and adequately describe how I was able to be the thoughtful and confident care provider I aspired to be, given that all of the certifications seemed distinct from one another.

In late 2019, I was on the hunt, once again, for the next health and wellness horizon to breach, when it dawned on me that acupuncture was something I had continually turned to throughout my life. By that point I had used acupuncture for pain management, digestive issues and stress relief, to name a few. I had even used acupuncture for fertility to bring the love of my life–my now three year old daughter–into the world. It was then that I began to explore acupuncture from a practitioner’s perspective, not just as a delighted, surprised, and grateful patient. 

Come to find out, the thing I had been searching for—the hunger within me that I had been satisfying with small and large certifications and new designations—was acupuncture! All of the different ways in which I had been honing my skills as the best care provider and self-care partner I could be are contained under the elegant, vast umbrella of acupuncture.

From nutrition and supplementation to mental and emotional balancing, physical movement and meditation, to actual medicine, both quick fixes and long-term chronic support—it is all contained in acupuncture.

This is a medicine that has been developed for well over 3000 years, and in it, all of the different hats that I like to wear come together. This ancient, time- and lab-tested complementary practice is uniquely, powerfully relevant and vital today.

I am immensely honored to be able to call myself an acupuncture physician. It is a privilege to walk alongside my patients as they blossom and flourish, supporting them through their journey toward holistic health and wellness. 

I invite you to ask questions if you’re curious about the history and the shape of acupuncture. If you want more blog posts like this, let me know. I’m here to share, learn with and support your journey toward holistic health and wellness.

Calvert

Founder, Calvert Rejuvenations
Herndon, VA

Licensed Acupuncture Physician