Sue Dusterhoft, L.Ac, Dipl. O.M., M.S. Licensed Acupuncturist (state of Iowa). Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago campus). Reiki III Practitioner (Takata Lineage). Reiki Jin Kei Do Level II (Takamori Lineage). Cransiosacral Therapy. Certified Clinical Aromatherapist (ISHA). Advanced Light Language Practitioner.

Sue’s journey:
It is my belief that working with someone to heal is a partnership between the healer and the healee. It is important for the client/patient to take responsibility for self and to be ready and willing to heal. I have personally received so much healing through the above classes/trainings that I have participated in but know that if I weren’t ready and willing to heal that it probably would not have happened, or certainly not at such a deep level.

I spent about 25 years working in the legal and accounting professions, using my “left brain” primarily. I always knew there was something missing that I was longing for, my “right brain” was crying out for attention! I have always had a fascination and appreciation of the plant world and did some self-study of herbs, knowing that was something that was really calling to me. That led me to begin investigating the world of “alternative” healing techniques and modalities. Some major changes occurred in my life in the late 1990’s and I decided it was time to pursue a career/life change. I enrolled in the Eastwind School of Holistic Healing and took most of the electives offered (Reiki, Chinese herbs, Western herbs, Reflexology, Energy Medicine, Flower Essences, Swedish Massage); I didn’t think that massage was my new career but trusted that this was going to be a stepping stone to discover what was ahead for me. Interestingly the only elective I didn’t take was Aromatherapy and I am now a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. Through a series of events and meeting people who were receiving acupuncture I finally decided to give it a try (yes, I was one of those people who always said “I will never get acupuncture because I refuse to be a human pin cushion”). It was life changing!! Despite the fact that I went into a deep 3 day depression after my first treatment, I emerged on the other side feeling better than I had in a long time; but equally as important I knew this was the profession that I had been seeking.

In the late 1980’s I was having some numbness/tingling/pain in my ring and little fingers on my right hand so I went to a doctor who told me my ulnar nerve was being pinched and that the “cure” for that would be to surgically move my nerve so that it no longer ran underneath my elbow. I declined the surgery and decided to try herbs. I looked up Nerve Pain in a book I had containing herbal remedies and I used the protocol set forth therein. It took time, but through the use of the herbal tinctures recommended, I was eventually free of numbness/tingling/pain and have full feeling and use of those fingers. This was an “Ah Ha” event for me and fueled my passion for herbs and the beckoning of herbal studies. I made sure that the Oriental medicine school I attended had an intensive herbal program and loved every minute of it!

I was raised on a farm and helped my mother work in the garden and prepare/preserve the produce we harvested. I vividly remember her glee when the chemical Sevin came on the market and killed those pesky critters that were feasting on her plants. I love gardening still but am chemical free and have been for 25 years or more (and have lost a lot of produce to pests). We also raised livestock and I always felt a spiritual closeness to the animals, although I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time. I remember as a child hearing the song “If We Could Talk To The Animals” and so longing to do that! I now realize that in my own way I was communicating with them. I have an ongoing passion to explore and study organic farming practices and am so grateful to Mother Earth and feel so fortunate to bathe in her glory – she keeps me grounded and I feel much gratitude.