1. What do you do at Element and how long have you been there?
I’ve been at Element for 1 year, and I practice Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture, Herbs, and Tui Na).
2. Tell us a little bit about your background… and how you came to do what you do at Element.
I started my career as the Exhibits Manager for the Anne Frank Center USA. While there, I became interested in health and nutrition, both to heal my own ailments and to help some family members who had some pretty serious issues. I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and spent the next few years as a Holistic Health Counselor. Wanting to deepen my practice and having gained an interest in Chinese Medicine, I decided to pursue a masters degree in that field. I studied both in New York and San Diego. When I returned from California, I began working as an assistant here at Element, until I graduated and began working full time as an acupuncturist.
3. What makes your practice satisfying/fulfilling for you? What is the most misunderstood aspect of what you do?
I am fulfilled with my work every day. Chinese Medicine is a 5000-year-old medicine, so there is no shortage of things to learn. Studying and perfecting new techniques in order to help people is a constant source of enjoyment for me. Seeing patients return with improvements in their conditions is why I do this.
People often look at Chinese Medicine and think it’s somehow “fantastical” or “magic.” The truth is, it is based on sound theories that have been tested over thousands of years. We use a different language than what most people are used to, but in the end, we are simply using every tool at our disposal to help the body heal itself. The medicine itself is not invasive as western medicine, but the results can be just as profound.
4. If you could tell a prospective/new client one or two things that are crucial to know about your practice, what would they be?
The number one most crucial thing to know is that Chinese Medicine is not a cure-all. No medicine is. We can help facilitate change, but the results are much greater when the patients decide to make the changes necessary to facilitate their own healing.
5. What do you like do when you’re not at Element?
When I’m not Element, I spend a lot of my time studying and learning. For me, Chinese medicine/healing is a lifestyle, not a career. Aside from that, I like camping, hiking, live music, and my new hobby, pottery.
About Greg
Greg Radicone is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. He received a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, where he attended both the New York and San Diego campuses. Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, Greg was a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, primarily using dietary therapies to help facilitate the body’s natural healing processes.
During a session, Greg uses acupuncture along with herbs, tui na, cupping massage, guided imagery, and other modalities, in order to help the body regain balance and harmony. He specializes in psychological/emotional imbalances, as well as pain management.