It was official. 17 years ago on August 15^th 2001 I got my acupuncture license delivered by the US post office from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

So I wanted to take a moment to thank each one of you who has visited and supported what we do here at the clinic (and those of you still just considering it. 🙂 ).

Many people were doubtful in the beginning that Austin would support something as crazy as an acupuncture clinic. Maybe they thought that Austin was too “conservative” for something as far out as acupuncture or “alternative” medicine. But I’m sure most have them have stopped laughing by now because it turns out that we have had a great run for the past 17 years.

Surprisingly enough, it was exactly those “conservative” types that have come for acupuncture; the retirees and farmers and the teachers and policemen and factory workers and immigrants, corporate execs, lawyers, doctors, daycare providers… and everyone in between. And each one of them has been a wonderful patient and learning experience for me.

Back them, 17 years ago, acupuncture was still pretty new to the area. So it was quite a social and financial gamble for these early patients who dared to come. For all they knew it could have been the quackery that many people told them it was. Not so much any more.

Since then, many highly respected institutions have thrown their support behind acupuncture and encourage its use. Organizations such as the VA and the US military, U of M,  the Mayo Clinic and all of the major hospitals across the country. And they support it because they know it works.

Acupuncture is definitely mainstream now.

And why do people come? They come for a whole spectrum of health issues, for sure. Of course the most common reason is pain of some sort; back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, carpel tunnel… but also many people come for things such as digestive issues, allergies, hot flashes, anxiety and stress relief, infertility and the whole list of gynecological issues. People also come for cancer support and even cosmetic acupuncture or even just for the sense of overall well being that acupuncture provides. Heck, some people just come in for their occasional “tune-up” because they like how acupuncture makes them feel. One gentleman who comes in once a month after getting out of work calls it his “acupuncture happy hour”.

Acupuncture is so versatile; it can be used as a rehab, a quick course of treatment to fix a nagging health issue, or even just for prevention to improve health. Because isn’t it better to prevent a problem than to try fixing it after it has become a huge issue?

I have been truly blessed for these past 17 years for the amazing people who have supported this crazy acupuncture idea of mine. People often think that this acupuncture thing is about me, but I know that it is actually about them; the patients. Some people think that this is “my” clinic, but I know better. I know that it is “your” clinic. I am just here to serve each one of those patients that come looking for help. Without the fantastic people who have been brave enough and supportive enough of what we do here, we would not have lasted all of these 17 years.

So to all of you who have ever came for acupuncture, Thank you! From the bottom of my heart I want to thank each of you for trusting that acupuncture would be helpful and valuable to you and your family. I honor and value that trust.

And now… on to the next 17 years!