I was a young athlete and explorer, always playing outside and being physical, loving the out of doors. (see complete bio, PDF format)
- In College, a Theatre and Dance Major, Monterey Peninsula College.
- Professional Dancer — 12 years, Portland, Oregon.
- Massage Therapist — 8 years.
- Continued Education for Counseling and Therapy, Marylhurst University; Body-Centered Therapist-Counselor-Group Leader-8 years, Portland.
- Training in NIA (Neuro-Muscular Integrated Action) and Holistic Movement Integration.
- Holistic Movement Teacher, Portland.
- Hypnotherapy and NLP Training.
- 4-Year Oriental Medical School Training including Acupuncture, Herbal, Tuina-Shiatsu Training.
- Wholistic Healer, Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Body-Worker, Counselor, Qi Gong Practitioner and Teacher-12 years, Portland.
Acupuncture is a Highly Effective Medical Treatment System
Acupuncture is among the oldest medical practices known to man; it has been practiced in China for well over 4,500 years. Acupuncture today is one of many complementary treatment forms found within the larger health system of Oriental Medicine.
Over its many years of evolution and practice, Acupuncture has been found Medically beneficial for virtually all diseases, conditions, ailments, or states of mind and body.
The treatment is used throughout the world and is often seen as a less invasive and less expensive alternative to surgery or pharmaceutical therapy.
How are Needles Involved?
Most Acupuncture treatment involves the placement of thin yet strong metal needles in Acupuncture points of the body. The needles are as fine as hair, many times thinner than hypodermic needles. They are specifically placed to alter or adjust the flow of BioElectricity or Qi/Chi “Chee” with intended medically-directed outcomes, such as Pain Relief, Stress Reduction, or Organ System assistance, etc..
But, to have an effective Acupuncture treatment, it is not always necessary to use needles; acupressure, which uses touch for manual stimulation of acupoints; creates similar medical outcomes. But where indicated and accepted by the patient, Acupuncture with needles is highly effective and sometimes transformative.
How Acupuncture Works
Recent scientific research has determined that human beings are complex BioElectrical-Magnetic systems, with micro-currents of electricity running between muscles, tissues, organs and structures. This current scientific validation has been a working reality for practitioners of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for thousands of years. Energy circulates throughout the body along well-defined pathways. Areas on the skin, known as Acupuncture Points, are BioElectrically connected to specific organs, body structures and systems.
These points can be used to regulate the energy of the organ, body structure or system; releasing excess or increasing deficient energy in order to assist the system and body to maintain Homeostasis, Health, Harmony and Vitality. If this energy circulation is blocked, disrupted or deficient; optimal function is affected, resulting in illness, disease or pain.
Acupuncture re-establishes the Natural Health Balance of the body/mind. It stimulates or relaxes the circulation of BioElectricity or Chi while concurrently affecting the body’s biochemistry, altering its physical, mental or emotional states.
Acupuncture is Universally Accepted – Fastest-Growing Healthcare Modality
Acupuncture’s use to treat certain conditions has been endorsed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, and the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, among others.
Acupuncture is safe when practiced by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles, with very low risk of serious adverse side-effects. It is an effective alternative to many other treatment options, and it is especially helpful for those patients experiencing side-effects from prescribed drugs. Patients that have not responded to traditional therapies will often respond well to acupuncture.
Does Acupuncture Work?
The effectiveness of acupuncture has been well documented and extends far beyond pain relief or management. Since acupuncture promotes the body’s natural healing ability, most medical conditions can be corrected or improved, requiring less medical intervention and fewer dollars. As a comprehensive system of preventive health care and health maintenance, it has proven invaluable to athletes and others, helping them achieve optimum health and performance.
Acupuncture detoxification treatments have been recognized as a valid form of therapy for chemical dependency, recovery, rehabilitation and restoration.
When should I consider Acupuncture as a Treatment Option?
Acupuncture may be a treatment option at any stage of an illness or condition. As with many treatment modalities, the sooner one seeks treatment the more beneficial the treatment will be in a shorter period of time.
Why should I choose to see an Acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative to many other treatment options. It is especially helpful for those patients experiencing side effects from drugs or for those using therapies (drug or otherwise) that are indicated for long-term use. Also, patients that did not respond to traditional therapy will often respond well to acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a very individualized therapy. Side effects are few and occur rarely. It is a powerful therapeutic tool.
What is an Acupuncture Treatment Like?
Your treatment begins with a thorough conversation about your medical history, current health, contributing factors to your presenting issue and lifestyle. Your body is examined where necessary and appropriate. The pulses on both your wrists will be carefully studied, your tongue examined, and a treatment plan proposed. Many first-time patients are amazed at how comfortable they feel during an acupuncture treatment. When the needle accesses the flow of Qi, a slight tingling, a heaviness, or a tugging sensation may be felt. Acupuncture needles have been scientifically proven to release endorphins giving patients a pleasant experience.
Chinese Medicine is a catch-all term encompassing a wide range of Chinese developed Healing practices.
They include Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Chinse Physical Medicine—in China known as Tuina—similar to Chiropractic Medicine in the West, Medical Qi Gong practices, and many more specialties that fall under each one of those headings.
QiGong
In modern America, it is often the practice of simple forms of movement, breath, sound, and intention to direct the flow of internal Qi for health and well being. In China, its place of origin, Qi Gong, is a fundamental health and healing modality. It is universally said, “All effective healing and medicine are derived through the practice of Qi Gong.”
And to facilitate self-healing through regular practice in Perceiving, Directing, Moving, Releasing, Expressing, Empowering and Cultivating Qi (Energy) throughout our Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul.
We accomplish this by using our Body Gifts of Seeing (inside and out), Hearing (inside and out), Sounding/Toning, Singing, Breathing, Touching, Imagining and Moving our Body, Heart, and Soul.
And we practice, we practice, we practice.