Bud Rich

I’ve always found writing in the third person, to be a little odd. I’m not a commodity or a thing to be sold, rather I’m just a man who chooses to contribute to my society in the best way he can.

I attended the New York campus of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and spent four years commuting four times a week, two hours each way from my home, to get an education. I worked as a Patient Care Technician and an Equipment Technician in the Emergency Dept. of a local level 1 trauma center while attending PCOM, which gave me a greater understanding of the Western and Eastern compatibilities. I also volunteer in my community as an EMT on our rescue squad . I’ve been involved in medicine for quite a while.

My background is quilted with periods of creativity, entertainment, self improvement, spirituality, and seeking an idea of truth. I traveled around the USA for a decade or so looking for that “Rich & Famous Contract” but never found it. As opportunities kept presenting themselves to me, I kept finding other interests. I’ve been a disc jockey in a few major markets and an actor in New York and Los Angeles. I’ve driven a limousine for a 5 star hotel and managed a pizza restaurant across the street from Disneyland. I’ve worked as a camera man for independent film makers and an assistant director on the “B” movie circuit. One of the most rewarding things I ever did was teach Kempo Karate for United Studios of Self Defense in Southern California as well as build my own studio in up State New York. That literally saved my life and prompted me to study Chinese Medicine. Most of the martial arts masters I encountered were healers of one sort of another. I’ve always been told that the healing arts were the Yin to the martial arts Yang. So when the time came for me to choose what direction to take when I decided to grow up I chose Chinese Medicine. Growing up is still an option.

I graduated from PCOM in 2006 with a great deal of confidence. So far it has been an interesting path. There have been a few obstacles that opened my eyes to the real world and reinforced my own vision. A few mistakes along the way that provided great lessons. One or two disappointments but nothing to worry about. And quite a lot of people who have received the benefit of my paying attention in class.

I learned Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at PCOM and became acquainted with some really wonderful people who were my instructors, many of whom became my lifelong friends. I began to set up my practice and was introduced to the techniques of Dr. Richard Tan from San Diego, California, who practices The Balance Method. From that I became familiar with Master Tung’s Acupuncture. The results are continually amazing.

I have been told that this is no way to set up a website for a business but I’ve never really been a corporate sort and I find that when I am who I am, without any preconditions, misrepresentations or strings attached, it usually ends up working for me. The other option always seemed to me to be beating my head against a wall.

Bamboo washout by Wu Chen (China, 1280-1354)

My background is quilted with periods of creativity, entertainment, self improvement, spirituality, and seeking an idea of truth.