Dr. Andy Kelch
A five minute read by Kat M. Lui, LAcDr. Kelch is not usually one to toot his own horn, so I’m happy to do so for him.
While working at Vancouver Acupuncture, Andy showed me a touching letter from one of his patients that filled my heart. Knowing he was about to leave, the patient wanted him to know how much his treatments had helped her transform her life, how much she appreciated his care and thoughtfulness. She was also happily surprised to see how acupuncture could raise her quality of life by taking away pain!
Dr. Kelch has an understated manner of being that many people find calming and grounding. His open and gentle nature makes him everyone’s friend. His work is precise, well researched. He has a way of explaining Chinese medicine in terms the modern Western mind can comprehend. When he reads this, I know he’ll blush, because of his humility, a trait that the philosophy of Chinese medicine encourages in practitioners.
Of course, I’m a little biased. I did choose him as my life and business partner! #transparency
Kat & Andy, ready for the full solar eclipse in Oregon. Keeler Estate Vineyard, August 21, 2017.
Dr. Kelch is also an avid snowboarder and mountain biker, having lived 12 glorious powder packed years in Breckenridge, Colorado. He loves that these activities are so accessible in Bend, while allowing him to treat a larger population of active folks who, like him, love to play outdoors. His understanding of human anatomy with sports medicine and acupuncture makes him the go-to guy when you have a fall and want to heal quickly…so you can get right back to living your best life. Many a time, I’ve seen his patients come out of a session with glazed and happy eyes, saying, “Wow, my back [or neck, or shoulder] feels GREAT!”
Because he’s humble, you won’t hear Dr. Kelch say any of these things. But I have no shame LOL. Check out his bio below, or better yet, book a free 15 minute discovery call and get to know him yourself.
Dr. Andy Kelch, L.Ac., DSOM
Dr. Kelch is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine in Bend, Oregon. He has experience helping patients through a wide variety of acute and chronic health issues, including digestive, urogenital, and upper respiratory complaints, and he holds a special interest in treating musculoskeletal pain of all kinds, particularly pain of the neck, shoulder, low back, hip, knee, and sciatic region. His thorough approach and diverse treatment strategies allow him to identify and address the root cause of his patient’s complaints, leading to faster, longer-lasting results.
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied Mathematics and Secondary Education. He then spent several years living, working, and playing in the mountains of Colorado, before eventually heeding the call to study Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon, earning a Doctor of Science in Oriental Medicine (DSOM). His analytical mind and teacher’s heart serve as a foundation from which to apply the ancient art and science of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, helping patients realize and achieve their wellness goals.
Dr. Kelch’s sincere passion for learning has driven him to study extensively with numerous world-renowned teachers in the field Chinese Medicine, including a month-long retreat to the sacred mountains of Sichuan, China to study qigong, meditation, and herbal medicine. Versed in various styles of acupuncture, Andy is also gifted in gentle forms of bodywork, often incorporating Cranial Sacral Therapy, Myo-Fascial Release, Sotai, or Qigong Tuina as a compliment to his acupuncture treatments.
An avid hiker, mountain biker, and snowboarder, Dr. Kelch is thrilled to be living in Central Oregon, and, when not in the clinic, he gets outside as much as possible in pursuit of fresh air, exercise, recreation, and natural beauty.
Dr. Andy Kelch was first a resident at the National University of Natural Medicine before he started working with his mentor, Dr. Edward Chiu, author of and advocate for Acupuncture Case Reports.
