My interest in health and fitness dates back to my early teen years. I was a gangly kid, and Arnold Schwartzenegar was my hero. Even then I felt that working out and eating correctly could change the human body immensely. Over the years I read, studied and applied that knowledge in practice on my own body and discovered that it was indeed true.

Eventually my interest in Asian cultures brought me around to the martial arts. I began training in Hap Ki Moo Do, a Korean martial art that focusses on pressure points and joint locks to control an opponent. Martial arts is truly a way of life. This healthy lifestyle would become my own. I enjoyed teaching as much as training myself. My martial arts Master at the time, Master Yoon, Ki Chul, also practiced acupuncture, treating students, friends and family from a small room in his studio. Some of the results I saw were amazing. For this reason, I decided I would like to further study this form of medicine to learn even more about my own body, be able to pass this knowledge on to and help care for my students, friends and family.

After finishing my studies at the Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, I attended the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China and did advanced clinical training in several of the TCM and western hospitals in that city.

Having learned how much more TCM can do than just help with injuries, I began my own clinical practice in Calgary. I have worked with several good chiropractors and massage therapists in the city, and learned much from them also. At Sundance Chiropractic and Wellness, I have found a few like minded individuals as well.

After all of these experiences, I realize that my initial conclusions were true, and still hold the most power: An healthy lifestyle is the greatest healthcare plan one can have.

Yours in health,

Dr. Thory Tessem, R.Ac., TCMD