Diplomate in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture (NCCAOM)
Oregon License #AC153086
I returned home to Portland in 2010 after working for a few years in the Philadelphia area. I love living in the Pacific Northwest!
I first learned functional anatomy and biomechanics as a personal trainer and noncompetitive body builder. My background in fitness - and my own experience with severe injury and recovery - gives me an advanced understanding of chronic pain and muscular & joint problems. I attended both chiropractic school and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, where I earned a Master's degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2004). The curriculum there included Tuina (deep tissue massage) and Qi Gong (energy work). OCOM is widely regarded as one of the best alternative medicine schools in the country: They were the first to be awarded a nationally accredited Doctoral program, and are actively involved in nationally funded scientific research.
In 2001, a car accident left me crippled and housebound. I went from being a rock-climbing martial artist to being trapped on my couch, nearly suicidal from the constant pain. Once I discovered acupuncture and osteopathy my body was finally able to heal itself. That experience and the complete recovery that followed gave me a greater understanding of the emotional and physical effects of chronic pain, allowing me to more thoroughly relate to my patients. I can truly say that I've been there, and I know how to help you come back to being yourself.
My personal interests include science, the SCA (I do Ancient Rome living history), photography (most of the pictures on this website), travel, and metalsmithing (making jewelry).
I am CPR re-certified every two years.
Gentle Treatments for Shen (Mental Health) Disturbance (Mar 2023)
Treating Emotional Pain (Feb 2023)
Fibromyalgia: Improving outcomes (Sept 2022)
Cannabis: Cannaboids for different applications (Aug 2022)
Long Covid (May 2022)
Military Trauma (May 2021)
Women Veterans & Suicide (Apr 2021)
Community Outreach (Oct 2020)
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injuries (Sept 2019)
Pain Systems (Jun 2019)
Acupuncture & the Law (Jun 2019)
Yang Shen Nutrition (Jun 2019)
Men’s Health (Jan 2019)
Soothing the Spirit (mental health) (Jan 2019)
Yin Sotai (an advanced bodywork technique) (Jan 2019)
Wu Wei (June 2018)
Stephen’s Shu point system (June 2018)
QiGong Healing (May 2018)
Acupuncturists Without Borders: Healing Trauma (July 2017)
The Emotional Side of Pain (Feb 2017)
Nightmares & PTSD (Jan 2017)
Myofascial Mastery (Oct 2016)
Stroke (June 2016)
Infertility (Mar 2016)
Returning Veterans (Jan 2016)
Advanced Ankle (December 2014)
Whiplash (October 2014)
TMJ (October 2014)
ICD-10 Medical Coding (June 2014)
Managing Pain and Stress With Mindfulness (June 2014)
Advanced Ilia & Sacrum (April 2014)
Spinal Flexion & Extension (April 2014)
Autoimmune diseases (Nov 2013)
Danger Signs: Correct Patient Assessment and Wise Referral (June 2013)
The Sinew Channels (May 2013)
Lyme's Disease & other Biofilms (March 2013)
Fukushin - Japanese Abdominal Diagnosis (June 2012)
Feng Shui as Chinese Medicine (May 2012)
Prednisone and Insulin (May 2012)
Persistent Pain (May 2012)
Structural-Visceral Integration (Feb 2012)
Zang-Fu Organ Series - 8 parts (completed Feb 2010)
Ethics Issues in Oriental Medicine (Jan 2010)
Pain Relief with Moxibustion & Other Adjunctive Therapies (Jan 2010)
Abdominal Acupuncture (Feb 2009)
Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture (Feb 2009)