Why I chose Oriental Medicine as my career
In 1993, I was introduced to Acupuncture when recovering from a severe car accident which gave me whip lash and chronic headaches. While continuing Acupuncture for these injuries, I found that a side benefit was it had also cleared my chronic fatigue symptoms. In 2004 I was in a horseback riding accident which left me with a compression fracture of 2 vertebra. The prognosis was to expect chronic back pain for the remainder of my life and no more horseback riding. Back I went to my Acupuncture Physician and within 9 months my back was healed. The chronic pain was gone and I am back in the saddle again.
Veterinary Medicine was my first career. I worked for 15 years in Veterinary hospitals including sales of pharmaceuticals and equipment. Following this was a career in residential construction When the home building market took a down turn it became evident that it was time to follow my heart and get back into a career where I could help others.
Since my experience with Oriental Medicine had yielded such amazing results my thought was to learn more and be in a position to share this knowledge with others. I knew that it had definitely helped me to heal and stay healthy and that the concept of treating a person’s mind, body, and spirit was the key to true, comprehensive healing. Plus Oriental Medicine, which has been practiced for thousands of years, is also effective as a preventive medicine.
Following extensive research, Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine in Gainesville Florida was my choice for study. Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine is the only college of Oriental Medicine that teaches Contemporary Oriental Medicine, a blend of Five-Element, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other diverse traditions. It places strong emphasis on Chinese diagnosis, herbal studies, and training practitioners to collaborate with Western Medicine professionals. After 3 years of intensive training, in December 2011, I received my Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science.
On a personal note –
I am a native of Florida, and have lived in Georgia, Texas and Alaska working in my various careers. An avid equestrian, in my earlier years I showed in Dressage, working with my Arabian to earn my USDF Bronze medal. I now ride my Arabian on trail rides for relaxation and pleasure.
I live in Tryon, NC, enjoying the local farm raised foods and fresh mountain air.
Certification and Continuing Education
Cynthia Milligan MAOM Dipl. LAc
NC license #646, Fl License # 3055, SC License #Acup341
2009 – 2011 Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine, Gainesville Fl
2012- Contemporary Pulse Diagnosis, Intermediate Intensive, Leon Hammer MD.
2012- Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture – Martha Lucas PhD., L.Ac.
2013- National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Certification
2013- Contemporary Pulse Diagnosis, Intermediate Intensive, Leon Hammer MD
2014 – Crainal Sacral Training – Upledger Institute International
2016- Chronic Liver Disease and Cancer Support – Misha Cohen OMD. LAc.
2017- Medicines from the Earth Symposium
2018- Medicines from the Earth Symposium
2018- Medical QiGong for Healing – David Coon
2019- Orthopedic Trigger Point Acupuncture
2020- Acupuncture Injection Therapy
Memberships
Florida State Oriental Medical Association
North Carolina Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
