24 Years Practicing Acupuncture

In 1984 I arrived in the town of Gatton, not quite 100 miles south-west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane, Australia.

I had completed the majority of my acupuncture studies and an old friend had assured me that there would be a strong demand for my services in this archetypal country town.

This was the site of my first acupuncture practice and it was here that I took that giant step from student to practitioner.

With my late wife Kayelene’s extraordinary support and the motivation of providing for her and our beautiful three-year-old daughters, I set about creating my first acupuncture practice in the town where I knew only 2 people.

To cut a long story short, my journey was made so much easier through my association with the local rugby league club.

For four seasons I accompanied the teams every Sunday to the playing venue, sometimes leaving home at 9 AM and not returning until 11 PM that night.

If a player was injured I would run onto the field to attend to them and qualify the seriousness of their injury.

A huge responsibility considering there were four teams with a total of 60 players and the odds of injury in this game are very high.

Knee, shoulder and back injuries were relatively common, broken legs, jaws and arms happened too frequently, soft tissue injuries abounded.

During one particular game I dealt with a broken jaw, ruptured knee ligament, broken wrist and last but certainly not least, a broken neck.

All of these injuries belonged to people I knew well.

From that day on I knew that my career on the sidelines tending the injured was very finite indeed.

I was paid the princely sum of $300 per season, however the goodwill and respect earned during this time was of major importance in helping me in establishing a successful Acupuncture practice.

Almost every player and many of their family members experienced their first acupuncture treatment at some time during my four years of working with them.

In that time we also won 3 consecutive A grade premierships, no mean feat in the very rough and tough world of country Rugby league.

24 years on, whilst attending the Hawks ‘Team of The Century‘ celebrations at the  Shire Hall, the hospitality and generosity of spirit of my friends in downtown Gatton deeply moved me as they acknowledged the efficacy of acupuncture, the willingness and commitment of mine self and the contribution I had made to the club and community.

It is occasions like this that reinforce how privileged I am to do what I do!

For the trust, faith and friendship shown to me during my stay in Gatton and the camaraderie I felt on Saturday night, I remain extremely grateful.

Alan

Some images of the people and the place.