Dr. Melissa Carr: a Modern Woman Practises Traditional Chinese Medicine
by author Lucretia Schanfarber

Traditional Chinese medicine has stood the test of time. That’s one of the many reasons why Melissa Carr decided to become a registered doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Another reason is that she has always been keenly interested in health and healing, and she finds practising TCM deeply rewarding.

From Disillusionment to Fulfillment

After graduating from the University of Guelph with a degree in human kinetics, Dr. Carr (who is of Japanese-Canadian descent) spent two years in Japan at Ehime Medical University doing research. It soon became clear that doing research was not for her.

“My research experience really opened my eyes to how some research is done,” recalls Dr. Carr. “It was rather disillusioning. I certainly learned to take things with a grain of salt.”

While studying in Japan, Dr. Carr was briefly introduced to the idea of TCM by a friend who shared with her his experience of being treated successfully by a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.

Her interest was immediately piqued and upon returning to Canada, Dr. Carr completed the four-year training program for Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the International College of TCM in Vancouver. Her training included internships at two hospitals in China where both acupuncture and TCM are practiced.

Two Worlds Come Together

The more Dr. Carr learned and practiced the principles of TCM, the more confident she became of its value as a healing and preventive system for Western as well as Eastern societies. Blending the best of East and West, Dr. Carr treats patients using TCM, traditional western herbs, nutritional supplements, and diet.

Although Dr. Carr specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, she has a global perspective on health and healing. “I believe in using the best of both worlds,” she says.” “There is so much good in both; it doesn’t have to be all one or the other. Often it is the combining of healing techniques that works best.”

Food Cures

When it comes to diet, Dr. Carr evaluates each individual and issues what she calls a “food cure.” In general her recommendation is, “Keep it simple. If it wasn’t available 100 years ago, don’t eat it.” Her basic approach includes suggesting clients avoid processed foods, sugars, and excessively spicy foods. She also suggests they give dairy products a pass. “Too much dairy in a city like Vancouver where it is so damp is not a good thing.”

A Clinic of Her Own

After working within other clinics for four years, Dr. Carr opened her own in October 2005, in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver. Before deciding upon the name for her clinic, she gave it due consideration.

“I want people to be actively involved in creating their own health. I also encourage people to be physically active in their lives, to keep moving. So I named my clinic Active Life Health Clinic.”

As part of the alive magazine Life Makeover series (click here to read all about it), Dr. Carr is consulting with Rob Klettke. For detailed information on Dr. Carr and her clinic, visit activetcm.com.

Lucretia Schanfarber is a BC writer.

Source: alive Web Exclusive, May 2007