Last month we welcomed a new acupuncturist, Ehlana into the clinic.
I have been practicing acupuncture for just shy of 20 years now. Being in the clinic is still one of my favourite places to be. What brings me even more joy though is mentoring new acupuncturists into the field of community acupuncture. As I get older I am realizing how important mentoring is for the future of Hemma and community acupuncture. Witnessing new people discover the same passion as I have is inspiring and hopeful.
I think working in a community acupuncture clinic is one of the greatest experiences a new practitioner can have as they begin their practice. They get to treat lots of people with lots of different health concerns. They also get to witness the power of a simple treatment – to see how acupuncture really works – and contribute to a person’s well-being.
Sometimes it can be hard when you’re first starting out – to build your practice – especially when you are working alongside folks that have been practicing for years. People often want to see someone who is “more experienced”. Remember though, when you are choosing who to come see, that sometimes the passion that a new person has is equal to the experience of someone who has been practicing for a long time.
Acupuncture is both simple and complex which means that even receiving a simple treatment can often produce amazing effects. I remember discovering that as a student when I helped someone find relief from headaches even though I had only been practicing for a few months.
I understand how we can get attached to a practitioner, but I like to remind people that ultimately it’s an experience with you and the acupuncture. The practitioner is just the facilitator, it’s your body that does the healing. That is something perhaps unique about community acupuncture. I personally feel so grateful for the new acupuncturists who want to dedicate themselves to this practice and carry on the work I started.
If you would like to support Hemma in our efforts to foster this vision, and to help us grow, one way you can do that is by supporting the new folks that are just stepping in. Try a treatment with them sometime, and let them know that you appreciate their commitment to keeping acupuncture accessible and affordable. We couldn’t survive without these newly inspired acupuncturists, and we can’t do it without you!
Thank you all for your continued support of Hemma community acupuncture.
Michael