I am a dedicated practitioner of classical Chinese medicine, calling upon acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, body work and Chinese herbal medicine to help patients achieve their ultimate health goals. My gentle yet direct approach aims at providing relief from pain and other urgently bothersome symptoms, while supporting the patient’s overall well being and the body’s innate ability to heal. I employ a combination of techniques in acupuncture, including gentle methods from Japanese Meridian Therapy, with the intention in each treatment of optimizing efficacy and comfort for the patient. In my prescription of Chinese herbal medicine, I most often use original classical Chinese formulas, which are typically very simple concoctions of food-grade herbs that can have a profound effect on one’s health. Similarly to acupuncture, the aim of the herbal remedy is to shift a patient’s pathology at the root of the imbalance, providing relief from symptoms in a safe and long-lasting manner.
I enjoy treating a wide variety of conditions with this holistic medicine, as treatment is tailored to the individual rather than the disease. At Heart Spring Health here in Portland, I prioritize treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes, including trauma from car accidents and other old and new traumatic injury, postoperative pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, as well as the insidious pain from the cumulative stresses of modern living. I find that chronic pain syndromes can often be traced to old trauma burdens that the body still carries, and when addressed, can bring lasting relief. I also have a strong interest in helping to restore and regulate the rhythms of the body that make us more resilient, including cycles of sleep, energy, appetite, digestion, elimination and menstruation. Mental/emotional balance is frequently addressed in treatment, as a major disruptor of these cycles is so often stress and anxiety, and/or deeper emotional trauma. Many patients benefit from a combination of therapies with a coordinated goal, so I often collaborate with other Heart Spring Health practitioners, including naturopathic physicians, chiropractors and massage therapists, to optimize care for each individual and accelerate the healing process.
I am a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Oregon and board-certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. I completed my Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine here in Portland. I have completed post-graduate training in a system of traditional Japanese acupuncture known as Toyohari Meridian Therapy.
My exposure to the philosophy and practice of natural healthcare began in my childhood home in New Mexico, where my parents - both professionals in holistic medicine - instilled in me the value of supporting the body’s own wisdom in healing. After completing my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science, I was drawn to the philosophies of Chinese medicine, which recognize the essential relationship between human health and the cycles of our natural environment. I found my calling in this ancient science, which combines my interest in plants and the natural world with my passion for finding wellness in the body, mind and spirit, and for making a difference in my community.
When I am not practicing, I enjoy getting out into wilderness to hike and camp, making naturally fermented things in the kitchen, playing piano, doing the Tuesday crossword puzzle, and spending quality time with my friends.
