An often asked question…
How did you become an acupuncturist?
Grab a snack….it's a long story.
My own health concerns lead me down a long path in search
of natural remedies with great emphasis on prevention. Discovering
acupuncture and herbal medicine opened my eyes to a whole
new world of healing and promoting wellness. I found the
principles and philosophy's underlying these healing modalities
not only to be a way of practicing medicine but a way of
living.
As a teenager my health concerns regarding low back pain,
allergies, and chronic sinus infections were troubling.
At one point in my senior year of high school I was using
crutches to get around because of a debilitating knee problem.
I found the conventional medical procedures at the time
to be disappointing. These health concerns left me with
feelings of helplessness and I became driven to find my
own answers.
I studied and experimented with changes in my diet. I also
became a student of Tai Chi (Taijiquan)
and Chi Kung (Qigong).
Through my 20's, as I made changes, I began to learn more
and noticed less sinus infections, and a decrease in allergy
symptoms. My back and knee pain decreased as well. These
diet changes were difficult especially during family gatherings
such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. I became a bit isolated
in such gatherings but I knew these changes were helpful.
In retrospect I have found choosing a different path from
the ordinary has proven to be a benefit. My efforts were
not to rebel or be different but to be myself and find my
own natural path.
There was an abundance of self-discovery and self-awareness
over the years and there were many teachers who guided me.
There is one person in my life that seemed to come out of
nowhere who has greatly influenced my choices more than
once. My good friend Dan Gonzales, who is also an Acupunctuirst,
influenced me in beginning my studies in Tai Chi and Acupuncture.
Dan and I worked together in the corporate world. He had
been expressing interest in leaving to study acupuncture.
At that time I did explore acupuncture and received treatments
that were beneficial but I had no interest in becoming an
acupuncturist or so I thought. At that time you see, I didn't
understand what it was all about. One day Dan told me about
a college in Hawai'i called Tai Hsuan (n.k.a. World
Medicine Institute) that teaches Traditional Chinese
Medicine including Acupuncture and Chi Kung. The key word
is traditional. I always found myself digging into the past
in search of things with deep roots. Traditional things
of old seemed to me to have more meaning, more truth, more
value. What I began to realize while reviewing this website
helped me to tie all those turning points in my life into
one direction. I began to realize that acupuncture, Chinese
herbal medicine, Tai Chi and Chi Kung all have a similar
origin based on similar health and life benefiting principles.
After what seemed to be only a few minutes of reviewing
this illuminating website I had this wild thought of becoming
an Acupuncturist, but there was so much to plan and consider.
While this thought was still in my head I walked directly
into the living room and asked my wife Jackie what she thought
about living in Hawai'i? Jackie is originally from Cali,
Colombia - the land of sunshine and warmth and you have
to understand we just recently spent our honeymoon on one
of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands called Maui…talk
about a big tease. Jackie responded to my question by saying,
"what's the difference, Rhode Island, Hawai'i"
meaning that she moved all the way from her home in Colombia
so what is the difference where she moves being that she
moved so far from home to begin with. It's not Colombia
so what's the difference? But then a big warm smile grew
on her face as she thought about Maui and she said, as if
to reply to her own question, it is warmer in Hawai'i. A
warm feeling started to settle in me as well and I believe
at the point it was settled - we're moving to Hawai'i! Several
months later after selling the house and a whole lot of
material baggage, a whole other story onto itself, Jackie
and I landed in Hawai'i with a few bags of luggage, a week's
stay in a local hotel in Waikiki and a rent-a-car. We had
no idea what would come next but perseverance and a mysterious
guiding presence lead of us on a journey that was wondrous
and inspiring.
Several years later I obtained my degree and returned to
Rhode Island to started my practice in Coventry, Rhode Island.
Amy Sundstrom, another great friend generously helped me
get started with treatment space at Coventry Massage Therapy
Associates.
I know what you're thinking…why did he come back to
Rhode Island? I knew I would be coming back before I even
left for the simple love of friends and family. I know this
might sound funny but this land here on the east coast has
a spirit and a vibration that just resonates with me in
a primal way. Although I do have to say Hawai'i has some
magic as well and we did meet many wonderful people who
opened their hearts to us with their friendship and Aloha
spirit. We miss them dearly.
Aloha
and Mahalo
Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture
January 22, 2009
