Getting to Know You….Part Two!

Starting with our November newsletter last year (can we say that already?!?), we've decided to bring you a different kind of article: an interview! We've come up with 6 questions for each of our acupuncturists to answer about themselves. Questions we thought patients might like to ask their practitioner themselves. This month's newsletter shares an interview with acupuncturist Julie Hutsell. Julie is one of our fertility specialists at our Chapel Hill clinic, but she also has great success treating many other conditions. She is a skilled and gifted acupuncturist, and well-loved by all of her very loyal patients! Here's what Julie has to say about her journey towards health and becoming a practitioner.

What made you want to become an acupuncturist?

I became an acupuncturist completely by chance and a twist of fate. I had Repetitive Strain Injury from overuse of the computer and mouse. The pain became so severe that I had to stop working at the computer completely. I tried many standard healing modalities including physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage, chiropractic, and biofeedback all to little avail, before my doctor finally recommended that I try acupuncture. After several acupuncture sessions, I finally started to see some relief in my symptoms. I continued with acupuncture for the next several months and the pain improved dramatically. By then, I had decided that a job that required full-time computer use wasn’t the thing for me, and so I started searching for a new career path. After a while, someone suggested that I study Chinese Medicine since I was enjoying the acupuncture so much. After quite a bit of research and talking with lots of people in the field, I decided it was a great match for me, and I took the plunge, and started the 4-year program.

What do you do to stay healthy?

I work out at the gym regularly doing weights and cardio, and I do yoga 1-2 times a week. I meditate often, though not always daily, and I generally eat pretty healthy. I choose organic, locally grown foods when possible. I also take supplements like a food-based multi-vitamin, Vitamin D, and Fish Oil, to keep my system strong.

Who or what is your inspiration?

My recently deceased grandfather was a tremendous inspiration to me. He always said the key to success and satisfaction in your career was to love what you do as your profession, and guess what? In my case, he was right!!!!

What do you do for fun?

I love to social dance--salsa and swing dancing especially. I also love to spend quality time with good friends, usually over a good meal! I love plants and I container garden from my deck for fresh herbs and veggies. Yoga and meditation also cross over into the “fun” category, because I really love to do both of these things too.

What do you love best about being an acupuncturist?

There are so many things that I love about being an acupuncturist. I love my patients. I learn so much from them; I love never knowing how my day will be, and what challenges I will be faced with; I love that I can offer a kind, compassionate ear to people who sometimes have no other outlet.

Read any good books lately?

The last book I read was Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa. It’s a historical novel that details the events and atrocities of the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. This was definitely not light reading, but it was very interesting.