Michael Young's interest in Asian Philosophy and languages emerged when he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA, from which he graduated in 1985, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Religions with a minor in Japanese Language. Upon graduation Michael moved to the Kansai region of Japan, where he began a two-year study of Japanese language, culture, and traditional medical practices, the highlights of which were studying acupuncture and translating traditional Japanese medical texts with renowned Osaka acupuncturist, Dr. Koji Imura.
Michael returned to the U.S. in 1987 to attend the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, California. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and graduated with Honors in 1990. While studying in San Francisco, Michael completed an internship at Quan Yin Healing Arts Center with Dr. Misha Cohen, a specialist in the Chinese medical treatment of chronic viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
Michael first practiced as a licensed acupuncturist in California and is currently licensed to practice in Colorado. He received his National Certification in 1990. In 1993 Michael moved to Boulder, Colorado to join an integrated clinic where Medical Doctors and Alternative and Complementary health care providers worked in cooperation. His interest in helping to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medical care led to his continued work in cooperation with various Medical Doctors and other care providers until 2002, when he opened a private practice in Longmont, Colorado. He has been a Full Professor at Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, CO since 1997.
