“You CAN get better, but you have to be patient with it, and you have to do the things that will push you towards a pain-free life, little by little.” -Albert Vaca, L.Ac.
Albert Vaca and I met literally on the first day of acupuncture school. We started as part of a small cohort of students in the summer term, and most of our classmates were already a semester or two ahead of us in their studies. I remember feeling like I was at the bottom of a very tall mountain, trying to catch up to other hikers who had already gotten a head start. Fortunately I wasn’t alone—Albert was a fellow bewildered adventurer there at the bottom of the mountain with me.
That was more than two decades ago, and in the ensuing years Albert has gone on to establish his practice at the world-renowned Tao of Wellness in southern California, and has co-authored the book BACK to Pain-Free Health: Secrets of Natural Healing for Back Pain, along with our teacher and school’s co-founder, Dr. Maoshing Ni. He’s completed advanced studies in Acupuncture Orthopedics and specializes in helping people live pain-free with Traditional Chinese Medicine. He takes a multifaceted approach to pain management, emphasizing self-care practices such as movement, nutrition, acupressure and stress management.
As a lifelong athlete and practitioner of martial arts, Albert has had his share of injuries, and knows firsthand how pain can sideline you and affect every area of your life. The knowledge he shares comes from his experience as both a practitioner and patient. He truly practices what he preaches, and his own advice has helped him stay active and healthy as a practitioner, athlete, and father.
In this podcast episode, Albert and I discuss:
The healing power of breath work and movement, including simple breathing exercises to support your back and massage your internal organs
The connection between stress and pain, and how emotional healing facilitates physical healing
The role of nutrition in fighting inflammation and pain, and the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet
Simple, daily practices for preventing back pain and musculoskeletal pain, and self-care tips to treat pain naturally
My biggest takeaway from this conversation with Albert is that so much of the power to heal, and live a life free from pain, comes from within. As Albert says, “You CAN get better, but you have to be patient with it, and you have to do the things that will push you towards a pain-free life, little by little.”
Albert shares so many free and low-cost resources too. His book, BACK to Pain-Free Health: Secrets of Natural Healing for Back Pain, guides you through a comprehensive, holistic approach to preventing and managing pain. His qigong and stretching videos are available on the Tao of Wellness YouTube channel, and he shares more articles and tips on the Tao of Wellness Pasadena Facebook page.
I hope this episode helps you see that a life with less pain IS possible, and that the power to heal is in your own hands.
Love and gratitude,
Your Acupuncturist
Stay connected with Albert:
Tao of Wellness Pasadena on Facebook
Huge thanks to Albert Vaca for the great conversation, and to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode.
And endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!
Ep. 14: Holistic Pain Management: Living Pain-Free, Naturally with Albert Vaca