Why Acupuncture?

I was born and raised in Oregon. Growing up my parents, elders and teachers instilled within me an appreciation of our environment, health and a passion for learning and helping others. These principles lead me to embark on a career as a teacher.  However as a teenager I was told I had a neuro/muscular disease and would be in a wheel chair by 30.  With a little denial and a lot of determination I made it half way through graduate school before developing severe muscle, joint pain and insomnia.  Fortunately I found several health care providers who helped me heal and succeed. I enjoyed teaching but was inspired by my healers to follow in their foot steps. I choose to study Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine because it quickly and effectively balances and helps heal the mind body and spirit.  Since 1999 I have gratefully practiced in the collaborative medical setting of Southwest Family Physicians.

Education

I graduated with a masters degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 1998.

I have also continued my education with many great healers including: Michael Greenwood MD on integrative medicine for chronic pain; Richard Tan OMD on chronic and acute pain; Malvin Finkelstein OMD on micro current stimulation for body pain; Cindy Mclue ND LAc on fertility and women’s health care; Virginia Doran LAc on Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture;  Julian Scott OMD on childhood illnesses; Jake Paul Fratkin OMD on Chinese herbal approaches to acute and chronic diseases; Jeremy Ross OMD on combining Western and Chinese herbs; Gray Graham CNT on functional Nutrition; And David Ford L.Ac. on five element acupuncture. To mention a few.