My name is Ward Hale. I am a licenced acupuncture physician in the State of Florida. I am also licensed in Massachusetts. I have a Master's in Acupuncture and a Bachelors in Health Sciences with liberal arts training in music. My hobby is composing music as a pianist. I have been an acupuncturist since 2001 and have been a massage therapist since 1982. I have been studying alternative healthcare since 1982; originally I was in the health food business. I have attended countless seminars over the years on almost every health subject imaginable. Early on I was exposed to European Natural Medicine and have had a fascination with that approach to holistic care since the 80's. I am trained as a Classical Five Element Acupuncturist which is a very elegant and if you will, spirit centered approach to acupuncture which is based on the brilliant work of a Dr. J.R. Worsley from England.
I will not go into all the scope of my training on this page, as the services I provide are well represented on other pages of this website. But let me explain one thing and that is - why I am into so many different things? I have had to develop a multi-disciplinary practice because - energetic and biological regulation in the body - which is the arena of acupuncture theory and treatment - is affected by so many other things. The modern world we live in is vastly different in the types of pathogenic exposures we have nowadays as compared to 2000 to 5000 years ago when most of the predisposing mallific forces were climatic, parasitic and simple bacterial and viral. Now we have complex enviromental toxins, dietary toxins and smarter viruses and organisms and certainly not least of all - more complex emotional stresses - all which effect the energetic, physiologic and functional regulation of the body. So I have had to diversify and look more deeply into the human condition because my acupuncture treatments are being interfered with by a plethora of influences found in modern life.
There are well over 200 modalities in the alternative field. This can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for the public. Even within the acupuncture field there are a multitude of styles and disciplines. Even among like practitioners there is often not much standardization. Yet I do believe for people who are searching for answers it is a bit like a journey of discovery. It takes time and exploration to find what works best for you. As for my practice, I believe it is important that subjective findings are well grounded in objective clinical findings and that appropriate therapies and modalities are applied to meet the patient's needs. For instance, you may indeed be stressed out and need a massage, but at the same time you may have a subclinical infectious process going on in your body with a high propensity for inflamatory processes. In such a case, massage may not be in your best interest at first because you don't need to have things spread around or irritated. In this case there would be better ways to relax. Therapeutic discretion informed by knowing other facts. I think you will find this true in the structure of my practice.
I also believe there is often this languaging barrier between practitioners of Asian medicine and Western medicine. Often it is difficult to communicate because the terminologies are so different. I try as much as possible to demystify the language in my practice, although this is not always possible, but on the other hand it is relatively correct to say that 'restrained chi' is similar to poor extremity circulation. We are dealing with conflicting paradigms here, yet it is important to find appropriate ways to communicate since we do after all live in the West.
Today the cry is for better preventive care in the marketplace. I am an advocate of constitutional, functional and integrative principles. The domain of the natural medicine practitioner is to assist in improving 'structure and function'. Let me say, if we are only working on the parts and not able to better intrepret the whole then we will not be able to see the forest for the trees. So, my approach is to take a global view looking more deeply into constitutional issues that influence health and well-being and the psyche of the person. While at the same time looking through an empirical science lense to better bring in focus basic metabolic and functional processes and yes, energetic processes in the body. I have been trained in what is referred to as Body, Mind, Spirit medicine. I have more than enough tools to evaluate on many levels. Today, the best preventive medicine must be multifactorial. Natural medicine from even 20 years ago may not be applicable today because we as people are burdened more now in a multitude of ways. This means we must be wiser in our life choices and more informed in healthcare options. Everything you need for healing, on whatever level you need resides within you, yet it might be blocked or malnourished in someway. The natural medicine practitioner is one who 'comes along side' to assist you in appropriate ways at appropriate times to heal and, if you will, unfold your full potential. This is my aim and hope for myself and others.
It is my desire to be helpful to you in your process. I have lots of tools (some a bit unusual and even extraordinary) at my disposal to graciously illicit 'truth' in your situation. The important thing is that we all find the appropriate, effective and efficacious help we need whether is comes from Eastern medicine or Western medicine, Asian or European, or all the above. Honestly, it is time in many ways for East and West to meet; the best in natural and the best in Western medicine to meet. (btw, I advocate that my patients have a primary care physician meaning MD - for the record Acupuncturists in Florida are considered primary care providers).
Very often in this alternative field I see people who have had many disjunct therapies and are not well grounded in the basics. Constitutional and functional medicine to me is being willing to look at and work on the basics. Once the basics are mastered then more advanced things are possible. Sometimes we try and put the roof on the house before the foundation is finished. The knowledge exists nowadays to build a better foundation. So, I spend extra time at first with my patients through various physical, biological and energetic exams. A comprehensive report of findings better informs the therapeutic process. I strive to make these initial tests as affordable and time efficient for the patient as possible. The other thing we see in the healthcare system is all this stress over money and costs and affordability. When it comes to true healthcare, it is always best when money is not THE issue; but what is in your best interest is the issue.
Please feel free to call to schedule a free phone consulation or office visit.
I will be very upfront with you as to whether I think I can be of help to you or not. Thanks for taking the time to view my website.
E. Ward Hale, AP
