Scott Hillsman, L.Ac.
I spent my early years in the desert. Growing up in Catalina AZ, just outside of Tucson, I got to know the animals and plants firsthand. The desert is full of life when you know where to look.
Even in my childhood I held a fascination with herbal medicine. I remember pulling all of my family’s spices off the shelf to study, smell them, wonder what their function was for cooking. Anytime I got a book or article about medicinal plants, I’d read it cover to cover until I memorized all the details.
Still, it wasn’t until later years did I consider a path in the healing arts.
In my late teens I began studying Asian martial arts, first Korean Taekwondo and later Chinese Martial Arts.
Through the Chinese arts I began to learn about traditional medicines, as historically many fighters also learned healing.
I met Dr. Vince Black, the renowned martial artist and medicine practitioner during my college years. Seeing his level of mastery and dedication inspired me to follow a career path in the healing arts.
I also began studying Qi Gong, which are sets of exercises and meditations from China, similar to yoga. In my early life, I struggled with a great deal of sickness. Through qi gong, martial arts conditioning, and Chinese Medicine, I transformed my health to a far more abundant state.
I also studied the ISA Shamanic Practitioner program, learning how to use drumming and other natural techniques to transform states of consciousness.
I started to put together a vision for creating a holistic healing practice. It didn’t happen right away. Instead, I moved to Austin Texas to work on some creative projects.
After a couple years, I remember walking in downtown Austin when a realization hit me like a brick wall, “it’s time to go to acupuncture school.” This intuitive message presented itself loud and clear.
So I took a major leap of faith. I quit my day job managing a dental office, and talked my way out of an apartment lease. I drove my minivan across the West Texas desert back to my hometown of Tucson where I enrolled in ASAOM, a Chinese Medicine school.
I began my course of studies in three medicines: acupuncture, tuina (Asian bodywork) and herbal therapies. There I met my mentor, Prof. Robert Hudson who I have also studied with in the years following my graduation.
I graduated from the school in 2019 with a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
I always had a vision for bringing a holistic mind-body-spirit practice together using all of the healing traditions I’ve learned. Mythic Acupuncture’s mission takes ancient healing arts and brings them into the modern world, because these medicines continue to offer solutions for many of humanity’s problems.
I am immensely grateful for all the teachers who have shown me the way. I am grateful for the lineage of all those who have come before me in these ancient arts. I am also grateful for the countless colleagues, friends and clients who I have crossed paths with through the practice of these healing arts.
The path continues forward.
**Shout out and Special Thanks:
Jenny Renee, my awesome photographer and friend, who took numerous pictures here. Truly an amazing experience working with her. Check out her work at: