Dave Shipsey is a Acupuncturist who specializes in Abdominal Acupuncture and Buteyko breathing. In this article Dave tells us his story and why he is passionate about helping and educating people using these treatments.
I realize how lucky I am to have a career in which I truly feel passionate about what I do, I am privileged in the fact that I spend my working day doing what I love.
Before I became an acupuncturist I worked in various stressful careers including stockbroking, sales and environmental research. Stockbroking and sales were both high-powered, stressful and adrenaline laden, clients generally wanted things done “yesterday” and I often had to bear the brunt of their anger when inadvertently things did not go their way. The best decision I ever made in my life was to hand in my notice at the computer sales company I worked in and move to China to study acupuncture.
These days as a rule my clients are appreciative of the work that I do, I get to share a deep connection with most of my clients which is rewarding and fulfilling on many levels. I share with my clients the fruits of our endeavours by the results achieved, such as the birth of a healthy, long sought after baby, or becoming pain free after years of agony. Often clients are mystified by the wonders of Chinese medicine and the various methods that can be used to elicit the desired result. I am truly honoured to share insights of clients who have learned true wisdom by the challenges ill health has presented them with, I have also learned from those who have not acknowledged those challenges. I appreciate my short comings and try to reduce them by learning from those more experienced and gifted than me. I accept and embrace the concept that this is how it will be until I am no longer able to do what I do.
I love studying Chinese medicine which has so many facets. There is always something new to learn from the ancients to the modern teachers. Acupuncture is my main focus and will remain so until I feel that I have mastered as many of the techniques such as classical traditional Chinese acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture and other Micro forms of acupuncture such as ear, scalp, Master Tung and Dr Tan acupuncture. Each of these systems have their own merits and advantages, they all have one thing in common which is to restore health and stop pain,. In this series I would like to share with you various cases that have amazed and mystified me in my 13 years of practice.
My clients come from all walks of life I see probably 60% female and 40% male client’s. Often I am the last port of call on their journey. Many of my clients have chronic or acute pain such as rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, debilitating headache or some kind of sports injury. I also work with people who have abused alcohol or drugs leading them to addiction and all the problems that dependency can lead to. A large part of my practice is with women’s health, and with couples who are having difficulty conceiving, and having a baby. I also work with clients who are terminally ill due to illnesses such as cancer and I also treat people who are recovering from the effects of stroke.
Frequently clients entrust me with an openness into various aspects of their emotional, mental and physical and even spiritual life. Often one needs to get into details of one’s life in order to be able to piece together the root cause of problems such as digestive or fertility issues. Even the most complex case can be due to the simplest of causes and the person who has apparently lots of different symptoms going on can be cured in a short period of time. I continue to be amazed at people’s resilience and determination and I always feel fortunate and honoured to share my client’s experiences of life, or wisdom and the different perspectives a life threatening illness gives them.
Dave can be contacted at his website dan-tien.ie