Although Kathy Nordgren completed her formal acupuncture training in the U.S., she always studies with traditional Chinese Medicine teachers when she returns to China.  During one period of study in a Beijing hospital, she was exposed to a man who was being treated with 100 cups on his back for arthritis of the spine.  While many people in the cities use both traditional Chinese healing methods and western medicine, in the countryside reliance on Chinese medicine is still strong.  “Chinese medicine is cheap and it works – it’s preventive medicine,” she says.

Chinese medicine’s deep appreciation for the feminine or yin energy resonates with her.  Because of her personal experience, Kathy enjoys treating women who are coping with the challenges associated with infertility.  Chinese medicine allowed her to reconnect to her feminine roots and “to get a sense of myself back and to heal from the invasive infertility treatment I experienced.”  It’s important to honor the woman and to treat the heart when addressing infertility because the heart and uterus are connected, she added.

Kathy’s journeys to China would influence her home life as well.  After unsuccessful treatment for infertility, she and her husband adopted two girls from China.  The oldest recently turned 18 and Kathy and her two daughters will return to China this April to visit her eldest daughter’s birthplace.

“I feel a profound connection.  The only thing I don’t have is a Chinese husband.  I love the Chinese people.  They are an incredibly healthy, incredibly strong people.  As I mature, I respect the appreciation they have for elders.  I could live there very easily,” she said.

Reflecting:

1. Have you experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine or other complementary medicine?  If so, what was your experience?  If not, is there one that you would like to learn more about?
2. As a woman, what qualities do you seek in healing practitioners in both western medicine and complementary healing modalities?
3. Is there another place you can see yourself living?

Kathy’s acupuncture practice includes Traditional Acupuncture, Tuning Forks, Tibetan Healing Bowls, Tuina/Chinese Massage, Cupping, Guasha, Herbal Medicine and Moxibustion.  To learn more, visit www.kathynordgren.com.

Kathy Nordgren was 18 when she heard about a shipboard university.  She had never been abroad and the idea of learning through travel appealed to her.  “I wanted to go to Italy and Europe,” she recalls.  As fate would have it, the only option was to spend four months exploring countries in Asia and the South Pacific.

Spending time in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Australia, and New Zealand was quite an eye-opener for a young woman from the U.S. in the 70s. “But there was something about Hong Kong.  Walking down the street with a group of students, I realized I’ve been here before.  I’m going to come back,” she thought to herself. 

After completing her English Humanities degree at Seattle University, Kathy made good on her promise and returned to Hong Kong University to study Mandarin Chinese.  The language came easily and it was during this time that she first experienced acupuncture, a 3,000 year old healing practice, and tried Chinese herbs.

At the close of the year, Kathy returned to the U.S. and began working as a medical paralegal.  Symptoms of anxiety and depression eventually prompted her to see an acupuncture practitioner.  Convinced once more of the transformative powers of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she decided to go back to school and study acupuncture.  Since 2001, Kathy has been a certified acupuncture practitioner in West Seattle.

Reflecting:

1.  Have you ever felt like you’ve been to a place before on your first visit?
2.  Have any skills ever come exceptionally easy to you?  Is there a pattern to them?
3.  Who might you have a conversation with about your discoveries?

Kathy’s acupuncture practice includes Traditional Acupuncture, Tuning Forks, Tibetan Healing Bowls, Tuina/Chinese Massage, Cupping, Guasha, Herbal Medicine and Moxibustion.  To learn more, visit www.kathynordgren.com.