This episode is a little different from the previous ones in that I'm talking with an acupuncturist rather than a Veterinarian. Eric Grey is a good friend who is an experienced Classical Chinese Medicine practitioner. In addition to the things we talk about on the podcast, Eric has lectured to veterinarians both at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Conference as well as the Midwest Veterinary Conference.
When I started practicing holistic veterinary medicine and learning different modalities, I saw that the culture was for practitioners to learn a multitude of modalities to have a full range of things to offer a patient. At least in my case, it sometimes seems like a juggling act to balance keeping current in multiple modalities so that I can offer my patients the best care possible. Eric's recent decision to limit his practice was intriguing to me, so I was able to arrange for us to talk about that decision in the context of his professional life to date.
Eric Grey, MSOM is an Acupuncturist in Astoria, Oregon. He has a BS in both Biology and Philosophy from Oregon State University. He got his MSOM from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2009.
He and his wife and business partner Amanda Barp founded the Watershed Wellness Clinic in the Ladd's Addition neighborhood of Portland, Oregon in 2009. Eric also served as Adjunct Faculty at NUNM. He continued his studies including an herbal discipleship and clinical training with Heiner Fruehof, PhD and is a Diplomat of Canonical Chinese Medicine from the Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine. While still a student at NUNM, Eric founded the website Deepest Health, which started as a blog about his experiences as a Classical Chinese Medicine student, but now has evolved into not only a blog about his experiences as a practice owner, but also an Educational Center offering short online courses in topics related to Classical Chinese Medicine and the business of acupuncture.
After building Watershed Wellness to include multiple practitioners, Eric and Amanda decided to relocate to Astoria, Oregon in 2016. They started Watershed Wellness Astoria while continuing to commute to Portland part-time to practice. In 2018 they closed the doors in Portland and have devoted their energy to Astoria full-time.
Join me for this conversation with Eric as we talk about founding two clinics, running an online business, and the thought process behind his most recent decision to stop practicing acupuncture in order to limit his practice to herbal medicine.
Show Notes:
Deepest Health Website
Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice, Part 1
Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice, Part 2
Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice, Part 3
Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice, Part 4
