Neil's first exposure to Classical Five-Element Acupuncture was during a seminar he attended in the summer of 1978. The experience enabled him to see his life and the lives of others from an entirely new perspective: clear expressions of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. It offered clear insight into both how alike and unique we all are. Within five days, he had changed career plans and applied to Professor J.R. Worsley's College of Traditional Acupuncture in Royal Leamington Spa, England. It was the only place in the western world offering training in this system of medicine at the time. This ancient system of medicine was brought to the West by Professor J.R. Worsley - practitioner, teacher, and author, who traveled the world teaching and consulting for over 58 years.

Neil's commitment to study Classical Five-Element Acupuncture with Professor Worsley spanned 2 continents and over 27 years. After graduating, Neil traveled to England several times per year for intensive continued study. Regarding Professor Worsley's instruction, Neil has stated: "His teaching was a seamless tapestry of laughter, compassion, inspiration, confidence, uncompromising standards, and a challenge to grow... The pure fun we had in learning seemed to be exceeded only by J.R.'s obvious joy in teaching. From the start, I knew I had to learn to practice this medicine, and I knew I eventually had to teach it." Neil holds three degrees and an advanced teaching certification from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, UK awarded by Professor Worsley.

As Founder and Director of the The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Inc. in Southern California, Neil is committed to ensuring that the legacy of this profound, but little-known system of body/mind/spirit medicine continues in its pure form. He has created a program where students can learn both the theory and hands-on clinical practice of this system in an intensive, part-time educational format.

After nearly 40 years of full-time practice, Neil is still thrilled by the power of this system to heal and transform lives. Since teaching his first series of introductory courses at Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in 1988, he has continually seen the minds and spirits of his students touched and nourished by the experience and knowledge of this beautiful system of medicine. His many online presentations can be found at www.NetofKnowledge.com.

Neil has served as a Professor at Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, SAMRA University of Oriental Medicine, and YoSan University. His other teaching credits include; The USC School of Medicine, The UCLA School of Medicine, The Worsley Institute of Classical Acupuncture, The Traditional Acupuncture Institute, California Acupuncture College, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine, Five Element Trainings, The School of T'ai Chi Chuan. Inc., California State Oriental Medical Association Expo, The Pacific Symposium, The Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance Expo

Neil is an approved acupuncture Continuing Education Provider in California. He is also the author of the taped series Practitioner/Patient Rapport and co-author of The Art of Practice Management for Acupuncture Healthcare Providers (published by From Tao to Earth). He is founder and editor of Back to the Roots (a publication of the Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture) and has been published in the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Meridians Magazine (a publication of the Traditional Acupuncture Institute), The T'ai Chi Press, Oriental Medicine (a publication of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine), The California Journal of Oriental Medicine, and is a distinguished columnist for Acupuncture Today.