A High School Injury That Changed Everything

Often, I’m asked how I became interested in acupuncture and bodywork. Back in the early 1980s, acupuncture wasn’t something you easily found in the suburbs of Seattle. Chiropractic and massage were accessible, but bodywork, structural integration, or other “exotic” methods of manual medicine were rare. I got lucky.

Before my junior year of high school, I sustained a significant injury to my right hamstring during a partner-assisted stretch at a martial arts practice. Over the next few days, the pain, dysfunction, and weakness forced me to walk with crutches.

I visited two general practice M.D.s, who suggested different treatments. Unfortunately, these didn’t help. In fact, they possibly made things worse. Needless to say, I didn’t turn out for wrestling that year.

The First Acupuncture Experience That Changed My Life

A friend’s father saw me limping and asked what had happened. It turned out he had been trained in acupuncture in Korea and offered to treat me.

For the next 30 days, I underwent daily acupuncture treatments. After that, I began developing my own stretching and rehab routines. Within less than a year, I was stronger, faster, and more flexible than I had been before the injury. From that point on, I knew I wanted to be an acupuncturist.

My First Encounter with Manual Medicine

My first encounter with manual medicine and hands-on techniques happened during my first year of college in the weight room. One morning, the head of the physical education department introduced me to a student from Japan.

We would talk occasionally when we ran into each other at the gym. One morning during my workout, she saw me rubbing my neck and shoulder and asked if I was in pain. When I said "yes," she told me to lay down on the floor.

The Healing Touch of Acupressure

She started working on my neck and shoulders using acupressure and range of motion exercises, then reset my neck. After that, she turned me over and worked on my entire back and spine.

What a relief! I asked her where she had learned how to do this, and she said her family had taught her. After that quarter, I never saw her again, but I have never forgotten my first taste of therapeutic bodywork.

Pursuing a Career in Caring for Others

So, there you have it—that’s my story. Perhaps it’s not terribly exciting, but those experiences were deep and meaningful to me. They were enough to inspire me to pursue a career in acupuncture and bodywork, helping others find relief and healing just as I did.

Ready for Your Own Acupuncture or Bodywork Experience?

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of acupuncture or bodywork firsthand, I’d love to help.
Call me at 206-938-0683 or email david@davidengstrom.net to schedule your consultation.