About Richard

A Western North Carolina native, Richard grew up in Lake Lure, where he developed an enduring love for the natural world.   After graduating  from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2011, Richard  spent several years as an outdoor adventure guide, where he facilitated  zip-line tours. Following his interest in Qigong, Taijiquan, and other  topics, such as biomedicine, somatics, and physiology, Richard attended  massage school at Isothermal Community College, where he graduated in  May of 2015.  In 2018, following several years of clinical massage work- incorporating an integrative bodywork regime of trigger point therapy, tui-na, and Swedish massage- Richard began formally studying Chinese medicine and acupuncture at the Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine in Sugar Grove, NC. Following four years of study, Richard graduated in 2022 with a Diploma of Acupuncture. After obtaining his NC acupuncture license in 2023, Richard founded Plum Arbor Acupuncture and Massage.  Drawing  from his diverse background, Richard integrates research and education into his acupuncture and practice in order to fully serve his patients with the best possible care. His goal is to provide compassionate, contemporary holistic care in a therapeutic setting and to assist in healthful and mindful living.