Some people find acupuncture after a twisted ankle, a twist of fate, or some stubborn health condition that finally surrenders to a few needles. But every now and then you meet someone who caught the spark early—before the world had a chance to talk them out of their own curiosity.
In this conversation with Will Martin, we trace the path of a high-school kid who dove headfirst into Chinese medicine—ordering textbooks at sixteen, poring over ideas he could barely pronounce, and never letting that fascination go. Will brings a mix of youthful boldness and genuine reverence for the medicine. He’s thoughtful about the landscape of healthcare, clear-eyed about the challenges in our field, and articulate in how he sees acupuncture stepping more fully into the role of primary care.
Listen into this discussion as we explore why he thinks the medicine needs less defensiveness and more confidence, what it means to keep your treatments simple, how to stand in your authority as a new practitioner, and why the future of acupuncture might be brighter than we’ve been telling ourselves.
Although I am a new practitioner. I do have a decade of patient care under my belt. My first tip is remember you are a human working with another human, sounds basic and simple, but it is something to easily forget and something we all must do. Second, treat what you see, not what you think or believe, and treat how YOU would treat.
Will Martin, L.Ac
I came to Chinese medicine at a young age of 15 years old after doing a research project on frozen shoulder, and finding acupuncture was used to treat this condition. Soon after, I started buying books, listening to the Qiological podcast, and calling Michael Max asking him questions way above my pay grade, but fueled by intense curiosity.
At age 15 I started volunteering as an EMT in my home town and working days at a community pharmacy. At age 19 I started college studying Medical Science and Immunology/molecular biology at UNR in Reno, NV, and then at SMCC in Maine, after which I started working as a medical tech for a hospital lab . I almost went to med school, but decided against it and chose acupuncture, and I am so thankful I did ! I am now a graduate of NESA, and will be practicing this fall in 2 clinics in Massachusetts.
You don't have access to purchase this item.
