Hello my name is Miguel Maya and this is my bio. I first experienced acupuncture through the eyes of a patient in the mid 90’s in Santa Cruz, California. It was not my intention ever to use acupuncture, I barely knew what is was. I was along with a friend one day resting in the waiting area as they were receiving an acupuncture treatment. During treatment the acupuncturist needed to enter the waiting area to retrieve something. She found that there was someone else waiting but it was past clinic hours. However she said she would take me anyway. I said oh no not me. I am just waiting for my friend. She said ok and left. However a few minutes later she came back in and was look at me differently. After more than a few seconds and now starting to feel uncomfortable I asked her if everything was alright. Well she said yes but she thought that I might not be alright. As a matter of fact I wasn’t in perfect health but I felt it wasn’t a big deal, my problems were small and anyway how could anyone tell just by looking at you? After talking to me for a few minutes, however; I was interested enough to get a treatment right then and there. It was one of the best choices of my life The experience was wonderful and the results exceedingly good, so good that I never experienced the same problems again, ever.
As the years went by on the roller coaster that we know as life my thoughts would occasionally return to this singular experience. It represented a rare opportunity to view myself and my health in a brand new way and I found myself thinking about the overall state of my health more often. However, I did have my doubts also. It seemed I had acquired what I now know as the “Acu Itch”. Simply put I doubted at first that something as simple as sticking my body with these little pins could really have such an positive affect on my well being. I was fairly young at the time of treatment and in decent health with no major medical problems. In all probability my problems could have been self resolving with adequate life style change and rest, as stated by the acupuncturist. This could very well have been the case, but then I began to wonder why was I even still thinking about it?
As I began to read more about acupuncture and Chinese medicine I became intrigued but had many questions also still. Eventually I built up enough resolve to actually apply to a local acupuncture college only to find out I hadn’t acquired enough credits to even begin learning more about acupuncture in a professional manner. I had to go to school first in order to be able to go to school. Luckily stubbornness is one of the natural traits that runs in my family for the benefit and detriment to all those around us.
Today I maintain a private mutli-discplinary practice in Manhattan. I am even more of a believer of acupuncture and Chinese medicine than I was 20 years ago. I also have great respect for other types of medicines and healing modalities, not only preventative medicine. I believe Eastern and Western medicines fit like hand and glove while still providing the opportunity for patients to experience either medicine singularly and in its own right. This is because each covers the weakness’s and inadequacies of the other fairly well without trying to blend or blur the two together.
Miguel Maya, L.Ac.
Treating people not just problems!