If you follow me on Instagram you will know that Acupuncture has changed my life..
Or maybe, it was really the combination of acupuncture and the person I was introduced to who changed my life..
I’m talking about a man named Mitch Patience.
I was introduced to Mitch back in November of 2015 when one of my best friends, Ashley, dragged me along to try acupuncture. My very first time I was treated my Martine which runs the Acupuncture Collective in Bondi, but my second time was when I met Mitch and he treated me..
Right then and there, I felt connected to Mitch. I felt safe, supported, understood, and LOVED from a stranger I had just met. It’s something that is so hard to explain in words, but his energy just matched mine, and so did his good heart..
The best possible way I can describe Mitch is being a light-bearer with the most generous, selfless, loving heart you can ever imagine. I have never felt as safe as I do in his hands, and a beautiful friendship has flourished from this. I’ve always thought Mitch’s surname (Patience) was the perfect reflection of one of the biggest qualities I think he possesses – I have never been rushed, or felt like I was a burden – whether that has been a meltdown at 4pm in the afternoon , 11.30 at night or 6am in the morning.
Mitch has helped me, and continues to do so, on my journey to reaching and connecting with my higher self.
My main focus with Mitch is on acupuncture and kinesiology supplemented with Chinese Herbs.
Now, so many of you are on the same path, and intrigued and want to know more about these areas of acupuncture and kinesiology, so I did a little interview with Mitch Patience so you can understand these holistic treatment options better, or perhaps even incorporate a few of those elements to your life, or even better, go see Mitch if you’re lucky enough to live in Sydney.
Enjoy – C xxx
1. Tell us about yourself? What do you ‘categorise’ yourself as?
I would describe myself as a wellness facilitator. I prefer to focus on wellness rather than illness. There are loads of amazing practitioners working with illness however its often about refining the body to be well – This does mean clearing dis-ease to create the wellness I think we all desire. A lot of people, including myself at times, just don’t know how good they really can feel when they are truly well. I feel that many people accept their current state of health as good, when it can be really amazing! Being a ‘facilitator’, this is about empowering people to take responsibility for their own health and putting themselves as their priority.
2. How did you get into this holistic approach to life and the wish to help others?
In some ways I was pretty lucky. I didn’t know any other way!
I remember my mum taking me to Chinese Medicine Doctors when I was maybe 4 and being given different concoctions for middle ear infections or whatever else was going on at the time. I never really went to doctors if I was ever a bit unwell. I think that most of the time, going to a doctor it’s probably not the best course of treatment.
Between this and my mum being a Chef when I was growing up, who also studied a whole range of alternate therapies from Iridology, Naturopathy and eventually Kinesiology, perhaps this sparked my love for alternate therapies, food and cooking. So after a short attempt at professional golf when I was 18 and 19, I studied massage and alternate spiritual healing and Transformational Kinesiology.
Finally I started my Chinese Medicine Degree in 2008, as I would say, to do something ‘mainstream’.
When I was young before I was crazy about golf, I loved to play in the kitchen, cooking or trying to make crazy things to see if they tasted good, but if asked, I wanted to be a Doctor. So I guess it was just always there from the beginning which was nurtured by having an alternate mother.
There is nothing better in my world (other than my Son’s smile and laugh) than to see the face of someone when their pain is gone instantly with a couple of needles, or when a client tells you for the first time in over 10 years, they haven’t had a migraine for a week!
3. What is your philosophy? What do you believe in?
Maybe its the Libran in me, its all about creating balance. Thats what acupuncture is doing when we give a client needles.
This means everything in moderation, including moderation! For me, its about eating well 90% of the time, consciously having positive thoughts 90% of the time. Doing what you can, when you can and as much as you can.
Its about being conscious of making the effort to have that positive thought or having the apple instead of the donut. But not worrying about what you eat or how you feel sometimes.
Having a night off and eating out or having a few drinks is important. It also means that everyone feels down at times and thats ok, too.
Make the conscious choice to make the effort to do it differently as much as you can.
4. Can you give us a short explanation of what the treatments you offer entails and what they’re beneficial for?
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture is a natural and effective form of health care, dating back to China over 2000 years, it’s one of the oldest health care practices in the world. Acupuncture takes a wholistic approach to much deeper understanding of the normal function of the body and disease processes. Acupuncture focuses on the prevention of illness as much as on the treatment.
When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or “life energy” flows through the body’s meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.
An Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into points along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi. Acupuncture is very gentle and generally painless.
Kinesiology
TK (Transformational Kinesiology) is a practical application of The Ageless Wisdom, the essence of all the spiritual traditions and is a profound healing modality. It is a method of specialised kinesiology developed since 1983 by international facilitators and researchers Grethe Fremming and Rolf Havsboel, founders of the Polaris International Institute in Denmark.
The purpose of Transformational Kinesiology is to facilitate a process which allows the individual to take responsibility for him/herself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. This includes finding one’s true self and utilising the Soul power realised through expansion of consciousness. Most people want at a certain point in their life ‘to be who I am’. Transformational Kinesiology facilitates this process.
During a TK balance, the client and practitioner work in harmony with the Soul as it ‘speaks’ through muscle monitoring (Kinesilology) and subtle energies. Together we identify the goal that is most appropriate at that time and any blockages. Blockages such as limiting beliefs, negative programming or physical symptoms, which might be standing in the way of the goal fulfillment. A TK balance approximately lasts 1.5 hours and facilitates the clearing of hidden blockages that may be preventing the attainment of cherished dreams and goals. Clearing blocks and energy that undermine health or inhibit full alignment with the Soul’s purpose. Choosing from an extensive menu, the client then participates in a TK balance where, in the light of consciousness, limiting patterns and beliefs are replaced by deeper wisdom.
5. How can all of these treatments be combined to form a powerful approach to health – both mentally and physically?
As with my philosophy, the combination of these and other alternate medicine can create balance. Acupuncture and herbs will create balance the meridians which in turn can, from a TCM perspective balance out the internal organs. Research has shown that this can have many benefits from balancing hormones, reducing cortisol and adrenaline and more!
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), its all about balancing Yin and Yang. When we can assist someone to create the Yin/Yang balance, the body functions well and at it’s prime. This then allows the “Shen” (or mind) a place to reside in the body (this is sometimes how we can see the mental distress some people may experience, we create a place for their mind to reside rather than off in the clouds with thoughts and emotions taking over).
I use Kinesiology to help remove the blocks to the life we want to live. When I feel really stuck with a situation or just cant move a thought process or emotion and unable to discover why on my own. We can re-write the sub-conscious soundtracks that drives our thoughts and emotions and being in situations we would prefer to change.
6. What is the biggest misconception about acupuncture, kinesiology and Chinese Medicine?
I think the biggest misconception a lot of people have with Acupuncture is just what it can be used for. That its only good for relaxation or for sore muscles. Whilst it is great for these, it can actually treat pretty much everything from colds and flu, stress and migraines all the way to the most serious of cancers. I have a client I have seen for over 12 months now with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. With the combination of western medicine and acupuncture and herbs, we have seen their health improve out of slight, including their blood cancer markers reduce from a staggering 6000 to now down to around 200. Its’ still too high but its significant results.
(Disclaimer: everyone is unique, and this is one case, please consult with your GP and specialists before starting any treatments if you are going through cancer)
7. Are these treatments for anyone?
Yes, everyone responds differently but if can be beneficial to everyone! Even if you think there is nothing needing support. According to TCM, there is probably less than 5% of people who are in absolute optimal health. There are obviously those that have conditions they would like to improve, the rest (the huge majority) are what would be classified as ‘sub-clinical’. This is where, like most people, they feel good most of the time, however there is greater health that can be achieved, more balance. This is where TCM is the best, at creating this deeper balance and perhaps preventing future dis-ease.
8. Can you give us some examples of what the treatments can help with?
The treatments really can help with anything and everything! Everyone will respond differently and will experience a differently feeling afterwards. A lot of the time you really don’t need to go to a doctor for yourself and your loved ones, especially kids. Acupuncture and kinesiology and alternate therapies can help with colds/flu, migraines, pain, muscular skeletal problems all the way to auto-immune disease and especially hormonal imbalance, menstruation difficulties and fertility.
I have a client who I have seen for over 2 years now. When he came to me he was having migraines almost every week which would last for 2-3 days – this had been going on for 10 years. He had tried everything western medicine could offer with almost no result other than slight pain relief when a migraine would hit. Within a month of starting his sessions with me, his migraines stopped and he hasn’t had a migraine since. He still has minor headaches which we’re still working on but he’s still over the moon with the results!
9. What do people need to be aware of?
The main thing to be aware of is finding a suitably qualified practitioner and finding someone that you resonate with. Having a great client – practitioner relationship is possibly one of the most important factors. The other side is having someone who really knows what they’re doing! This also includes dry needling! Some people can be ‘qualified’ in dry needling after a weekend course and then they can be inserting needles into people. It took me almost 5 years full time to complete my degree and be a qualified acupuncturist. Thousands of hours vs. 40 hours makes a huge difference!
10. But it’s so much more than just ‘being treated’, right? We have to want to get better and make a conscious effort before anything can happen, is that correct?
In my experience, yes. If you’re really not ready to be healthier for what ever reason, there is no amount of treatments that will be completely successful. It usually just means there might be more to learn from that situation or disharmony. On the other side, treatments can still help with the journey and help assist the person to be ready to make the shift.
11. Now, you and I have personally worked and continue to do so, on a lot of topics that I struggle with to enhance my self development, especially on the mental & emotional side, but if you could put down in words, could you share the top 5 tips you’d give to people around being mentally happy?
- The joy is in the journey
- It’s usually about consistency. A little each day. Like meditation, its better to do one little thing each day rather than doing something spiritual once a month.
- There’s no cookie cutter approach. Everyone is individual so the approach to their mental, emotional and physical health should be individual too. A good practitioner can help you build an individual health plan.
- Keep on keeping on
- Don’t beat yourself up if (when) you trip up occasionally. It will happen so learn from it for next time and this will bring growth
12. What do you think are the key things that ultimately hinders people in experiencing self enlightenment & happiness?
Two things – not trying and giving up!!
Start, there is no benefit in suffering in silence. The journey to happiness doesn’t have to be painful or difficult and certainly far more enjoyable than living with emotional, mental or physical disharmony.
It really is a journey and it can take years, its part of the journey of life, so make it the way of your life.
People also tend to give up when the going gets tough. This is the most important time to keep going! The Universe never gives you anything you cant handle so it’s important to remember you are strong enough! After the darkness comes the light, through the greatest struggles comes the greatest learnings and awakenings
13. How do ‘newbies’ start if they want to explore these fields and try this holistic approach to life and healing? Do you have an advice to a ‘first step’?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results” – Albert Einstein.
It’s a little difficult as everyone is different. As when we’re diagnosing in Chinese Medicine, two people can present with a similar looking flu, however they’ll both possibly have very different treatments.
The important thing to remember is to make the change. Change something. Even if its just a small change like which hand you brush your teeth with or which hand you open the door with.
You can find Mitch’s contact details and read more about him on his website here – I urge to get in contact with Mitch if you’re in the surrounding area in Sydney, or if you’re somewhere else in Australia, try if Acupuncture is for you :)
