Ada Steenwinkel

Why did you choose the profession of acupuncturist? What or who inspired you?

My profession as a medical analyst no longer satisfied me; a person is more than flesh and blood. In my search for energetic medicine, I came across the book Handbook of Energetic Medicine by Richard Gerber. This has been the source of inspiration for me to study acupuncture.

Ada Steenwinkel

NVA member since November 2009

Interview: May 2014

What is your most beautiful experience with a patient?

I had a beautiful experience with a young woman who suffered a partial spinal cord injury due to a traumatic accident, leaving her mostly confined to a wheelchair. It was very special to see her walk down the aisle in the church after intensive acupuncture treatments when she got married.

What are you still wondering about in your profession?

You don't have to believe in acupuncture to experience that it works. It works! Sometimes someone comes to my practice who has been sent by their partner and is skeptical about the treatment. When the treatment is successful and the patient is satisfied while also surprised that it works, then I have that yes-feeling again.

Is there something in your practice that embodies the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine for you?

For me, it's not just a thing but the concept of Qi (life energy), the essence of Chinese medicine. Qi is essential to Chinese medical thinking. One could say that everything in the universe exists and is determined by Qi. You can control and influence Qi through meditation, Tai Chi, nutrition, and Chinese herbs, but the most direct way is acupuncture.

Ada Steenwinkel
www.acupuncture-ada.nl