May 1, 2017

Meet Dr. Andrea Murchison L.Ac., DAOM of Andrea Murchison Acupuncture in Sawtell

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Andrea Murchison L.Ac., DAOM.

Dr. Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada. My mother was a nurse and my father followed in his family lineage of being a physician and later a Psychiatrist. I don’t remember ever wanting to be anything else but some type of healer. As a young child, I wanted to be a nurse like my mother but I think I was about 6 when I decided I didn’t like the sight of blood so needed another option. After some difficult years in my childhood and teens with my parents’ divorce and my father’s death, I decided that I wanted to work with kids and help them get through tough times. I did practice in Toronto as a child and family counsellor and even today as an acupuncturist, that early work experience influences my relationship with my patients. After moving to California and looking for a career change in the health field, I took a community acupressure course. During that time, I suffered from a pinched nerve and was amazed at the results from one treatment with the acupuncturist who was teaching the course. After that treatment, I was 90% pain free and had regained almost complete range of motion in my arm. I began researching acupuncture and local universities and later that year I made the leap and enrolled in a Master’s program in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. During most of my training, I received weekly treatments and continued to find relief for various ailments and overall health. The several areas that really spoke to me were how effective acupuncture was with so many aspects of women’s health, pain and the ability of the treatments to help resolve emotional issues. My mother was diagnosed with a rare early onset dementia and subsequently passed away, while I was in school and I don’t know how I would have stayed in the program and taken the licensing exams without those treatments. I experienced how acupuncture reduced my stress but it also helped my body release pain and emotions that I was physically holding onto. My passion for the medicine became that much stronger from the healing I experienced in many areas. Several years after completing the 4-year degree, I also completed my Doctorate degree in integrated medicine, specializing in reproductive medicine and women’s health. After maintaining a part time practice in addition to serving as Dean of a University’s Doctoral program for several years, I decided to focus my attention on a private practice that would allow me to do what I love full time.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Medical schools of all types are challenging and taxing. The program was long, the work intense and learning thousands of years of Chinese medicine can be overwhelming, as can learning the hundreds of acupuncture points. Add to that the western medicine curriculum, clinical internship and very difficult licensing exams, working multiple small part time jobs and personal challenges. It was all worth it!

Please tell us about Andrea Murchison Acupuncture.
I have an Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine practice which includes acupuncture, cupping, Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition, and personal mentoring. I love that I can help people feel better and assist them in becoming empowered to cope with their current situation or make changes in their life. Making big changes is very difficult and I believe in starting where the patient is and supporting them in taking those steps for change, as they are ready. Whether it’s a couple trying to start a family, or an athlete who wants to return to their sport after an injury or someone struggling with stress and anxiety.

In Chinese Medicine, we evaluate each patient’s symptoms and constitution and develop an individualized treatment plan which is one of the factors that make our medicine effective. Many insurance companies now include acupuncture services so having an insurance billing service is very helpful for many patients.

My specialties include relieving chronic and acute pain, women’s gynecological and hormonal health, male and female fertility enhancement, environmental and emotional stress related disorders and facial rejuvenation

I’m so fortunate to have a career that allows me to see success every day. When a patient leaves with a sparkle in their eyes and feeling more relaxed, with less pain or on the road to improved health, what could be more rewarding than that!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Christmas, I loved the magic of Santa Clause, the beautiful sparkling trees and decorations, the excitement and anticipation of family visiting from out of town, the special smells like pine trees and a turkey cooking in the oven that I associate with the holidays and the wonderful treats that only appeared at Christmas.

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