MEET YOUR ACUPUNCTURIST

Dr. Kevin Farnham DACM, MACM, LAc.

My path to becoming an acupuncturist came about because of my love for helping others and my own journey through many injuries. As a child, my first dream was to be an interpreter for the U.S. government at a foreign embassy—I had no aspirations of becoming a doctor, and science classes were not my favorite. But one thing was always clear: I loved helping people. It brought me so much joy to see others make progress and to create a space where they could feel safe being themselves.

That passion led me to be a peer helper in elementary school, a summer camp counselor in high school, an after-school and sports coach in college, and eventually a math tutor and licensed high school math teacher. Then, when I was 30, I was receiving treatment from an acupuncturist who suggested I go to school for acupuncture. She told me that in her 20+ years of practice, she had only met a few people she believed were naturally suited for this work, and all of them had gone on to be successful practitioners. Her confidence in me struck a deep chord. I went home that day and submitted my application to acupuncture school within 24 hours!

So why was I so certain about changing careers when I had been enjoying my work so much?

Throughout my life, I had endured many severe injuries—broken bones, concussions, and car accidents—but growing up, I was rarely given any follow-up care beyond a cast or stitches. This ingrained in me the idea that medical care was only for life-threatening situations. At 19, I had my first major injury while skiing, breaking my ankle. After surgery, my doctor told me I didn’t need physical therapy because I was young and would heal fine. But I didn’t heal fine. I developed chronic swelling and pain that limited my active lifestyle. Every doctor I saw only offered me opioid medications, but I instinctively knew I needed something more.

My 20s were filled with more injuries—severe sprains, a herniated disc, and a traumatic car accident that left me with neurological issues. Again, I sought help from doctors and was met with dismissive attitudes and inadequate solutions. I was frustrated and ready to give up on medical care altogether even though my symptoms were negatively impacting my life so much. When someone recommended acupuncture, I was ready to try anything. I had used acupuncture a few times before for pain relief, and this time, my acupuncturist helped with much more than just my symptoms. She treated my sleep, digestion, and emotional well-being, making me feel genuinely cared for and supported in a way I had never experienced in the traditional medical system. It was the first time I felt hopeful that healing was truly possible.

At 29, the pain in my ankle became unbearable. A new podiatrist finally discovered that a bone spur had carved into my ankle bone, causing advanced arthritis. My options were grim—fusion surgery that would leave me with a limp, reconstruction that might not work, or doing nothing, which could eventually lead to amputation. I chose reconstructive surgery and, remembering how much acupuncture had helped me in the past, requested a referral.

That referral led me to the acupuncturist who would change my life. I saw her multiple times a week after surgery. While my podiatrist gave me pain pills and a follow-up appointment, my acupuncturist gave me hands-on care, encouragement, and a treatment plan that supported my entire healing process. She helped me recover from surgery, progress through physical therapy, and eventually get out of my wheelchair and walk again. Acupuncture worked so well for my pain that, after using cannabis for a decade, I no longer needed it to manage my symptoms. That was a turning point for me—I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to this medicine.

When my acupuncturist suggested I join the profession, I realized this was exactly where I was meant to be. My love for working with people, my joy in helping others, and my personal experiences with injury and healing all came together in this career. I want to be the kind of practitioner who supports people in their healing journey early on, not just when they feel like they’ve run out of options. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have so much to offer at every stage of health, whether or not symptoms fit neatly into a Western diagnosis. No matter where you are in your journey, I’m here to listen, to support you, and to offer encouragement every step of the way. Healing is a process, but you don’t have to go through it alone—and I’d love for you to have someone like me on your team!

If you resonate with having a provider like me, book your first treatment today! We can work together to bring you a step closer to a more optimal state of health, share some laughs along the way, and make your journey to wellness a positive and uplifting experience!

Learn about the services Dr. Kevin provides at the clinic – click here

Learn about what Dr. Kevin treats at the clinic – click here