Meet Christopher Whyrick | Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, Polarity Therapist, Registered Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Whyrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In the practice of medicine, unlike other business, it is typical to establish yourself as a sole practitioner or a practitioner within a group practice. The fact that we each have a national practitioner identification, or NPI number, allows us to act in a soul fashion in my opinion. Having worked for having work for more senior practitioners in a group practice, I came to the conclusion that my style was individually motivated as we find in the practice of Chinese medicine. What I mean by this is that we all have our strengths and problem areas we focus upon, and feel that it’s best to work at our comfort levels. I need to spend a little extra time with the patient, I’m not trying to be at the clock, because my boss tells me to.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets me apart from others is my background and education in the field of natural therapeutics. Apart from my education and practice of Chinese medicine, I have studied and applied techniques of western traditional naturopathic & herbal medicine (School of Natural Medicine, Boulder, CO), energetic medicine, including Polarity Therapy and Craniosacral therapy (Somatic Energy Therapies, LLC, Washington, DC) and Classical (Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine, Sugar Grove, NC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR and California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA). Coming from both a western and east Asian perspective, I have learned to access my patient’s state of health and disease through multiple lenses, with an understanding and ability to communicate and work alongside practitioners of many disciplines. What I’m most excited about is my ability to meet a patient “where they are at” and communicate in language that resonates with them, be it spiritual, mental, emotional or physical language. I got to where I am in business by mentoring with successful practitioners of naturopathic medicine (Mayuri Sobti, Washington, DC), Dr. Satya Ambrose, ND, L.Ac. (Happy Valley, OR) and Dr. Yan Lu, DAOM, L.Ac. (Portland, OR) and applying what I had learned to my own success. This process was educational and inspiring, and to translate this to my own clinic had its pitfalls. The best way to learn how to be an entrepreneur and small-business owner is to simply “do it”. And in putting myself out there, I witnessed both success and, well, opportunities for success. I overcame these challenges by challenging myself to expand beyond my comfort level, to not make excuses for why I was not more successful; rather to again challenge these outdates perceptions of what I thought was considered success and to uplevel my approach. One major lesson I learned along the way was that success does not come overnight – it requires work, work, work! And that this work should be challenges and FUN, and to never take things too seriously. As my father used to tell me…”this too shall pass”! What I would like to share with the world is that health is in your hands, and sometimes we need a little direction, a subtle shift in the right direction. Why I so love the world of natural therapeutic philosophy is that we are perfect in ourselves, and that WE, not an organization or profession outside of us, has the prescription to our own health. We just need to recognize our potential, as I do truly believe, that our potential is endless.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Growing up in Estes Park always offered a unique experience for my guest. The first stop is my favorite hike – Gem Lake in the Lumpy Ridge area of RMNP. This hike is relatively easy, and a solid 3.4 mile roundtrip that ends in a beautiful, rocky oasis. It’s just a few miles from downtown Estes, and the best part: you’re just a few minutes from my next stop: for morning hikes, there’s nothing better than Notchtop Cafe for a spot of breakfast. Fresh, organic offerings with good coffee always impresses. In the evening, I like Mama Rosa’s for good authentic Italian fare, or might saunter on over to one of Estes Park’s incredible breweries – my favorite is Avant Garde aleworks. In my opinion, the coolest place to check out in Estes is the Stanley Hotel, which is purported to be haunted. As for myself, I worked at the Stanley for 3 years, and did encounter strange phenomena more than once.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is said that it’s more about the journey and less about the destination. My journey has been rich with influential teachers.. Dr,. Farida Sharan of the Purehealth School of Natural Medicine in Boulder CO was my first fore into natural medicine in her teachings of the five elements of Ayurveda and traditional naturopathic and herbal therapies. Next, Dr. Johnny Hendersen, PhD, RPP and Tom Langan, RCST furthered my education in the art of energetic medicine, specifically, Polarity & Craniosacral therapies. My education in Classical Medicine with Brian Moran, DPT, L.Ac. In Asheville, NC. Dr. Michael Berletich, DAOM, L.Ac. Brought to life Chinese classical herbal medicine during our time together in Portland, OR

Website: www.christopherwhyrick.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynamicwellnessclinic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-whyrick/