My Story
Like many of you, I’ve always thrived using my athletic abilities to swim, bike, run, lift weights, do yoga, snowboard or kitesurf (I do really like the adrenalin sports). I need to stay active to feel my best and when I’m injured or sick I tend to get really lethargic, unmotivated, grumpy and borderline depressed.
In my 20’s it was always “no pain, no gain” when it came to exercise and “push it to the limit” when it came to biking or snowboarding down the mountain. If I hurt myself I usually healed quickly. I mostly ate and drank what I wanted back then and for the most part I felt pretty good… (Or so I thought).
After I turned 30 I noticed that my sports injuries were taking longer to heal and some were turning into chronic issues. I would “throw” my back out from time to time and this would lay me out for weeks each time. My body was feeling achy most days, my joints hurt and I had a general sense of inflammation all over, especially in my gut. One day my older cousin asked me if I ever got my blood tested. He informed me that when it comes to heart disease my family history wasn’t so rosy. He told me my grandmother had had 10 uncles and 9 of them died of heart attacks with a few of them passing in their 40s!
My blood came back showing systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome (AKA: pre-diabetes). My cholesterol was at 350 with super high LDL and triglycerides numbers. I was a “ticking time bomb” the cardiologist said and he wanted to put me on “an experimental protocol” that he was supervising. I was 31.
Suffice it to say I never did go on the drug therapy and I never did see that “doctor” again. With the help of a few standout healthcare practitioners and some major behavioral changes, I was able to take back my health. I didn’t know it at the time but this was my initial launching pad into acupuncture and functional medicine. I guess I should thank that cardiologist after all as he made me search for other solutions to my problems and potential future ones.
You see, what I realized was that I needed to make real lifestyle changes to affect my health. Like so many of you, my diet was poor, I worked too much (pre-holistic medicine work) and I was beating my body up with aggressive sports at the same time. This was a perfect combination for becoming sick and I was starting to feel the affects.
I went on to become a licensed acupuncturist and Functional Medicine practitioner, and applied the same principles that I found were most helpful to me—a combination of Acupuncture techniques with Functional Medicine & Nutritional changes—and saw remarkable success for my patients.
I have been practicing acupuncture for over 18 years now all the while learning new techniques in order to treat people more effectively & efficiently. Practicing a very-active lifestyle, I’m constantly wanting to find and refine techniques to relieve pain and also to improve performance with exercise & play. When I began my training in sports/orthopedic acupuncture I was also receiving treatment with these techniques at the same time. What I realized was some of my muscles were not firing properly and other muscles were compensating and becoming tight. My low back “going out” was a direct result of my gluteus (buttock) muscles being overstretched and weak. When I re-fired the glutes and relaxed the back muscles my back felt great. My elbow tendonitis from overstressed muscles caused by gripping my kiteboard bar had gone away when my shoulder girdle and forearms were treated. My added bonuses were my yoga poses felt stronger & freer, I swam faster times and my muscle endurance increased leading to longer kiteboard sessions! These orthopedic techniques were the missing link for me to get me out of acute and lingering pains and now these techniques are integral in my approach with my patients.
About Adam
Adam Moskow, L.Ac., is California state and National board-certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology. Adam received his training at the American College of Oriental Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco, which has been widely considered the most extensive and rigorous Oriental medicine program in the United States.
Adam has been trained in Orthopedic Acupuncture & assessment (also called “Motor Point Acupuncture”, “Dry Needling” or “Sports Acupuncture”) by Richard Hazel as well as Dr. Anthony Lombardi (Exstore). Adam learned intricate pulse diagnosis apprenticing with Dr. Robert Levine. Adam has extensive training with Dr. Teh-Fu Tan, in Balance Method and I-Ching acupuncture. One of his major influences is his own father, Howard, who is also a licensed acupuncturist & physical therapist.
Adam has advanced functional medicine training with Apex Energetics, Standard Process as well as the Kresser Institute (ADAPT training).
Adam Moskow, L.Ac., is certified nationally with the NCCAOM as a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and in California which requires even higher standards for practice.