Rapids woman provides next level of care
By Rapids City Times staff
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – “As a child I always had the heart to help and heal – to work in medicine,” recalls Debra Eberhardy.
“I think it is beyond empathy; it is just the heart. You know what it takes. When you see someone hurting, whether they are sad, you just try to help them be happy. You try to help them see the positive side of life.”
Eberhardy said that she was “born into” Native American medicine, but progressed into oriental medicine after a very personal battle with illness.
“I started in medicine with Native American medicine and through that was guided into Chinese medicine,” Eberhardy said.
“I got really sick myself when I was 38 years old and the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me, and I literally thought I was going to die.”
Eberhardy had chronic pain, dizziness, fatigue, to the point that she couldn’t get out of bed. “One of my elders said, ‘I am taking you to see an acupuncturist.’ Within two weeks, I was better and had thought if this helped me, I can only imagine how much it could help other people.”
From there, Eberhardy started on the fast track to obtaining a degree in oriental medicine, driving 3.5 hours one way to receive her education. “So, seven hours, three times a week, for four years, year around,” she explained. “One of the elders said, ‘(That) showed my level of commitment.’”
Her eagerness to help people, combined with her own experience, were the driving force for Eberhardy’s willingness to advance into the next level of care.
“When you have people coming to you and asking for help, you need to be committed to first the medicine and knowing that medicine and being an expert in the medicine, but also be committed to do everything that you possibly can do,” she said.
Eberhardy spent three years mentoring under doctors and acupuncturists before heading out on her own.
Today, Debra owns Eberhardy Acupuncture Clinic and Herbal Pharmacy, LLC, supported by her husband, Ray, and children: Andrea, 26; Jacob, 24; and Landon, 17.
The business provides acupuncture; mind- body-spirit medicine and supplements; hair analysis to help identify what people need for vitamins and minerals, an electromagnetic pulsation bed for treating conditions like PTSD and Alzheimer’s, and other health benefits, such as seminars.
“We are all on this path to become whole and healthy and happy. Everything I do here is about empowering people to experience that in their life. Everything is about bringing out the highest and best in people,” Eberhardy said.
“For me it definitely feels like I am fulfilling my divine promise.”
For more information, visit www.eberhardyacupuncture.com or call 715-424-7292.