Dr. Nancy Hyton's Biography

 

The seeds of my interest in Chinese medicine go back to when I was an undergraduate at the State University of New York @ Albany in the late 1980's. First, having arrived at school a vegetarian, I became a working-member of the local health food co-op. There I met Kate, my manager, and first unofficial mentor.  I learned a lot from Kate and the others at the co-op about herbal medicine and nutrition, enabling me to heal a chronic candida imbalance that had not responded to prescription medications with herbal medicine and dietary changes instead, opening my eyes to the true power of holistic healing. Second, as a philosophy major, I was exposed to the paradigm-shifting ideas of Daoism, including the concepts of chi and yin and yang. These concepts made a whole lot of sense to me and seemed to explain the universe and its inner workings in a very logical and compelling way.

 

After completing my Bachelor's in philosophy, I went on to continue my studies in this field, pursuing a Master's at New York University.  While there I delved deeper into the Asian philosophies, as well as other subjects, such as medical ethics. During this time I also received my first acupuncture treatments.  I had been having lower abdominal pain since high school that had been unresponsive to conventional medicine, even after exploratory surgery. Within three acupuncture sessions, however, I was cured.  I still remember my first acupuncture session, where I basically had an out-of-body experience.  When the acupuncturist returned to the room to take out the needles I still remember him saying, “Wow. I can tell you really went way out there.”  Now that I am in practice I am quite familiar with this look, how blissed out people can get after a treatment.

 

After I left New York University I pursued my interest in all things holistic, working in health food stores, studying herbs, nutrition, Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda on my own.  In 2000 I formalized my education in western herbal medicine by completing Rosemary Gladstar's certification course, “The Science and Art of Herbalism.”  Around that time I also did two internships focusing on the conservation and propagation of native Appalachian medicinal plants. The National Center for the Preservation of Medicinal Herbs researched ways to formally cultivate endangered plants in order to protect wild populations from over-harvesting.  At United Plant Savers, Rosemary Gladstar's botanical sanctuary, I helped with the rehabilitation process of over 3,000 acres of former coal strip-mine land back to native hardwood forest, reestablishing this ecosystem in order to propagate endangered native medicinal plants like goldenseal, black cohosh, and ginseng. These internships gave me my first lessons in land stewardship, ecology, and botany. This was an incredibly rewarding time of my life in which I learned about how truly generous and benevolent the plants really are. Without them and their food, medicine, and oxygen, we simply would cease to exist.  Around this time I also had another significant experience with Chinese medicine, forever healing some chronic digestive issues that had been plaguing me for years with a six-month course of acupuncture and herbs.

 

In 2003, with a desire to further my understanding of the Asian systems of healing, I went on to pursue a Master's of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Daoist Traditions, Asheville's College of the Chinese Medical Arts.  This was a very challenging degree to complete for two key reasons.  First, because the theory is so different, it was basically like studying medicine in an alternate paradigm. Second, because of the sheer amount of coursework required for the degree.  At 3,113 hours total, each semester's course load averaged 20 to 25 credits, essentially going to school double-time for four years. Fortunately, the subject matter was incredibly interesting so I was highly motivated to complete my studies.  Towards the end, especially in my final semester, I started to feel very depleted, however. Receiving weekly acupuncture treatments and taking Chinese herbal tonics helped me replenish my energy reserves so that I could make it through.  I am honored and humbled to be a member of the first class to graduate from this esteemed school, and the time and effort this degree took was absolutely worth it.

 

When I graduated from Daoist Traditions I worked on my own at first, in the neighborhood and doing house calls. In the meantime, I searched for a more permanent location for my practice and took some business classes at Mountain Bizworks.  When a space opened up in the Bledsoe Building I knew for sure that's where I wanted to be. As a resident of West Asheville I had always considered this building to be the heart of the neighborhood, and still do. When I opened the Center I ran it as a multi-disciplinary practice specializing in alternative therapies for eight years. This was a very expansive period in which I had the honor of collaborating with all sorts of practitioners, from osteopaths and massage therapists to counselors and energy healers.  I learned a great deal from all of these people, not only about all the different theories of medicine but also about what it really means to practice a healing art. Since we all traded treatments with each other, I also had the opportunity to experience first hand the benefits of an incredibly wide range of modalities. The most important thing this whole experience taught me is that how you practice medicine is so much more important than what type of medicine you practice. In truth, there are far more similarities among the many branches of medicine than differences.  As the business grew, the administrative obligations of running the Center started to take up more and more of my time and energy, however. So, at the beginning of 2016, in order to focus more on the practice of Chinese medicine, I decided to go off on my own.  Fortunately, the perfect space was available right upstairs and I was able to stay in the Bledsoe Building.

 

Sitting here, looking back after thirteen years of practice, it seems like such a long and winding road that has brought me to where I am now. Starting out as a philosophy major in the late 1980's, searching for the meaning of life, I definitely never could have predicted this is where I would end up one day. I hadn't even heard of acupuncture or Chinese medicine back then! Such is life, yes? The path pulls you along, silently guiding you towards a goal that even you cannot envision. I am so pleased that the universe brought me to where I am today. The reward of helping others, of having a true vocation, have made the time and effort to get here more than worth it. Thank you all so much for supporting me on my continued journey. Practicing Chinese medicine is an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling way to earn a living and I look forward to serving my community for many years to come.

Epilogue: A Doctorate and a New Location

After many years of practice, I decided once again to go back to school, this time for my doctorate. I was thrilled that these types of degrees were now being offered in my field, a sure sign of the growth and validation of this ancient and wise system of medicine in modern times. As of December, 2018, I completed my degree, making me the first Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Asheville. Then, in early 2020 the coronavirus pandemic struck, forcing me to close my practice for a few months. During this lull I moved my office to a new location in downtown West Asheville, a historic craftsman bungalow right off Haywood Road. My new office is just two blocks from my old one and has many benefits. It is quieter, cozier, and more private, with free off-street parking and ground floor access, making it much more accessible for those with injuries, pain, and mobility issues. As of June, 2020 I have reopened in my new location and I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings!