Practice Manager
Wairarapa Natural Health Clinic
https://www.facebook.com/melgarrity.naturopath/
https://www.instagram.com/melissagarritynaturopath/
Certificate in Anatomy and Physiology
Diploma of Naturopathy
Naturopathic College of New Zealand (now called Aspire2 Health & Wellbeing)
When it comes to natural health, A2HW graduate Melissa Garrity has big goals. Not only is she on her way to becoming the world’s youngest medically trained Neuropuncturist and Naturopath, but she aims to have her clinic model replicated across New Zealand and overseas so she can support communities worldwide with natural remedies and neuropuncture.
Tell us more about your work and how it relates to your passion for neuropuncture.
I am the practice manager at the Wairarapa Natural Health Clinic, and I own and run the store/dispensary within the clinic. I’ve created and run programmes which include weight loss, detoxification, homeopathic first aid, and mindset management, and I do one-on-one naturopathic consults within the clinic and throughout New Zealand.
I have recently been accepted to study under Dr. Michael Corradino in America, doing advanced medical acupuncture using special currents of frequency – this technique is called Neuropuncture. I’m lucky enough to work with the leading expert in this field in New Zealand and share the clinical space with him, so I am currently under his mentorship.
I’m most interested in Neuropuncture and the way the nervous system governs our body. I like applying my naturopathic learning to this specialist modality and see the most amazing results when combining the two modalities.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love the variety, being my own boss, and helping people. I feel like I am making a difference.
What inspired you to pursue a career in natural health?
Growing up, my great-uncles were chemists and owned a local pharmacy. To mix this up I was brought up by holistic parents with the usual natural home remedies such as arnica. So, medicine in many forms has been around me my whole life.
I used to live in New Plymouth and worked very close to the A2HW campus. I decided to do their Anatomy and Physiology course, and after completing it, I was hooked on learning and went straight into the Diploma of Naturopathy.
How did you enjoy your A2HW studies?
I loved the workshops, meeting the tutors and other students. I’m a very hands-on learner and found I gained and retained the most information from the workshops. I always felt re-inspired and passionate once I had completed one.
Distance learning can be challenging for some students, but I am personally very driven and have a lot of self-discipline. It really is up to you to carve out the time and be dedicated to higher learning. I enjoyed that it was on my time. I worked full time throughout my entire studies at A2HW, had a family, brought a business and a house – so having flexibility to study when it fitted in with my other commitments was important.
In what ways has the knowledge you gained at A2HW helped you in your career?
Aspire2 Health & Wellbeing has given me a strong foundation and platform of learning in so many areas. I feel confident as a practitioner and gained such broad and diverse content throughout my years as a student.
Do you have any advice to share with someone who is just starting their natural health journey?
Be dedicated, be disciplined, be focused. Ask for help when you need it and stick to the study schedule!
