Why did I choose to become a doctor of Acupuncture Medicine?

Why did I decide to become a doctor of Acupuncture?

When I was studying Biology in college there were many different paths that I could have taken.  Little did I know that acupuncture was to become my life’s calling.  The long story short is that I became interested in nutrition, herbal remedies, and essential oils because of a course in medical botany.  I was searching for courses to further my study of medical herbology.

My library search brought me to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM). It looked like they had an herbology program.  However, upon checking into the school herbology was part of the acupuncture program, and could not be taken by itself. 

So, I thought, “what the heck is acupuncture?” I remembered watching a movie in high school about acupuncture used during surgery.  That was probably the only time that I was introduced to it. Hmmm.  I was intrigued. Therefore, the next best step was to experience acupuncture.  I scheduled an appointment.  At my first appointment the acupuncturist explained that she needed to begin with an exam and assessment to diagnose my patterns of disharmony between my meridian-organ systems.

The doctor began by asking me, “what do you need help with?”

Me: Well, I have this tension, and stiffness in my right shoulder from working as a clerk.  But, it is always like that.

Her: OK, she says.  Anything else?

Me: I have back pain once in a while.  It seized up on me when I was in high school after a 10 mile run, and lifting weights.  That hasn’t happened again, but sometimes it just feels sore.

Her: Do you have any stress?

Me:  Well yes.  Who doesn’t hahaha I chuckled. 

There were a lot of questions in fact, from head to toe.

She looked at my tongue, felt my pulse on my wrists, and examined my back and shoulder.

My official pattern diagnosis was explained to me as liver Qi stagnation, and Spleen-Pancreas Qi deficiency.  I would need to take an herbal formula called Xiao Yao Wan/Free and Easy Wanderer.

During the acupuncture treatment one needle was placed on the top of my foot somewhere in between my big and second toe.  I felt this immediate jolt of energy rush to my eye, and I blinked my eye saying, “Wow, what was that?  I felt something go all the way to my eye.”  The doctor explained that the energy of the liver travels into and benefits the eyes.  “I definitely believe you”, I said.

After the treatment my body felt heavy, and my muscles felt like Jell-O.  There was a sense of peace, and calm in my mind. I knew after leaving that acupuncture appointment that I was going to become an acupuncturist. That was in 1996.  I finished school in 1999, took some time to travel and study advanced acupuncture techniques in China, and I have been in private practice since October of 2000. 

Today, I consider myself very lucky that I am healthy.  I contribute my good health, and weight to following an acupuncturist’s lifestyle.  This means having regular acupuncture treatments, eating a balanced diet based on Acupuncture Medicine food rules, using herbal remedies or essential oils,  exercising, and practicing meditation with either yoga, or listening to and feeling the vibration of tuning forks on my body.  I explain a bit more about tuning forks when I tell my story about why I use them in another post. There are many types of tuning forks that have different frequencies like the sound of Ohm, or a low hum of a lower octave C musical note. 

There have been times here and there where I have experienced low back pain, neck pain, a common cold, or stress that comes with the ups and downs of life.  In every case, acupuncture is my go to medicine.  It helps me bounce back quickly.

I cannot imagine my life without it.  Not without having acupuncture, nor without providing acupuncture care. 

Ultimately, I became an acupuncturist because it is a way for me to help people relieve pain, feel better within themselves, have more energy, and live a higher quality of life without drugs or side-effects.  It is deeply satisfying to know that I have made a difference in someone’s life.  When you can live a more active, healthier, and happier life it improves your personal life, family life, and professional life.  The impact is far-reaching influencing a great number of things.

Your health is important.  Start your journey back to health today.  Set your appointment now!

In health and healing,

Dr. Michele Arnold

Clinic Director and Owner:  Michele M. Arnold, D.A.C.M., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. & C.H.

– Holistic Rejuvenation Specialist
Dr. Michele is a licensed acupuncturist and integrative wellness practitioner specializing in women’s health, facial rejuvenation, pelvic floor health, and digestive healing. Her unique approach blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern dry needling and herbal medicine to address the root causes of imbalance.

Through her signature The Radiant Core Method, Dr. Michele helps women (& Men) restore their core vitality, digestive harmony, and natural beauty—so they can feel strong, radiant, and deeply well.

“This method is a step-by-step restorative journey—not a one-time fix. Each session builds on the last to reset facial symmetry, relax tension, and restore vitality at the core from the inside out.”

Michele Arnold completed her doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (D.A.C.M.) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in August, 2016. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, in 1999, with a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (M.T.O.M.). Michele’s Bachelor of Science degree is in Biology, received in 1993 from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. She holds both a California State Acupuncture license (L.Ac.), and she is currently a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM.) from the National Board of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM).

Additional Training:
Certified in Pelvic Floor Dry Needling-ASE Seminars.
Certified in Advanced Facial and Cosmetic Acupuncture-Facial Acupuncture Classes
Certified in Facial Microneedling-AcuMicro.
Certified in the Exstore system of orthopedic assessment, treatment and restoration-Ase Seminars.
Certified in Neolifting Facial Massage-Pro-Age Aesthetics Academy
Certified in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture-Classical Institute of Five-Element Acupuncture, Santa Monica CA