wellpdx

A Healer Heals Herself First…

On my first day at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, we went on retreat to the Menucha Center in the Columbia Gorge. The first order of business was to go around the room, introducing ourselves and sharing why we were there. As each person spoke, I was humbled at what I kept hearing—that, in essence, the medicine had chosen each of us. We had all had some experience with the medicine, be it needles, herbs, cupping, moxa, or a combination. I heard stories about years of chronic pain, debilitating autoimmune disorders, and everyday life imbalances that had changed simply because each one of us had gone to a practitioner of Chinese medicine. Every story ended with “and I got better”—whatever “better” meant for them.

My own story goes like this, I was living the myth: I was a happily married mother of a three-year-old. I owned a home in NE Portland. I walked my dog daily. I had a successful full-time career as a photographer’s agent (which means I

I believe in the demystification of Chinese medicine. There are schools of thought within Chinese medicine that are content to maintain the belief that what we practice is akin to sorcery or magic - that we are adept at working with unseen, unknowable, magical energies in the body. I strive to study Chinese Medicine as it was originally practiced by the masters of this wonderful science. Their work is witnessed in the canonical texts of Chinese medicine from the Eastern Han Dynasty (roughly 2,000 years ago). What I find when I study the medicine in this context is not a mystical, magical system, but a system that is deeply rooted in a keen (and often very beautiful) understanding of the movements and processes of the human body and the wider natural world. It is a science that, when in the hands of a competent practitioner, becomes an art form.

To help me explain this demystification, let me discuss a very practical example that might help the reader to stay a little healthier this winter. Talk to any Chinese medicine practitioner about the common cold, and you

Many people have expressed to me that what they love about Chinese medicine is a feeling that they are truly being treated holistically. This has begged a question in my mind - what am I doing that is so holistic? What does that word even mean? Most people consider holism in medicine to mean that a treatment supports the whole person, body and mind, and that’s the definition I’m going to explore here.

One of the things that I love about the original texts of Chinese medicine is that there is no real differentiation between mental symptoms and physical symptoms. They are seen as one integrated movement. The pathology that creates heart palpitations also creates a sense of fear and anxiety. The pattern that creates horrible constipation can also create a fever and delirium - even hallucinations and psychosis, and at the very least can disturb sleep.

My wife (who is a psychotherapist) and I co-treat many individuals with chronic mental health issues. In most of

http://allwayswellacupuncture.blogspot.com/

Chinese Medicine is an ancient medicine that is truly holistic in its approach to treatment. This means that the patient's body, mind, and spirit are seen as an integral whole. Practitioners of Chinese Medicine seek to find the connections between the varied signs and symptoms that make up any health condition, and to treat the whole person, rather than just disease or illness.

Acupuncture and the herbal formulas that have been passed down through the lineage of Chinese Medicine can be used to treat conditions as diverse as diabetes, infertility, digestive problems, and chronic pain.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be used not only for treatment but also for prevention, allowing you to return to health and stay there. There are many specialties within acupuncture. The best way to determine what is most suitable for you is to talk to different practitioners about their experience and expertise and to then try a few sessions to see how effective this amazing medicine can be.

All practitioners listed in the wellpdx practitioner directory are licensed and overseen by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners.

Rebecca Hurwood

All Ways Well, LLC

AC01021

1525 SW Park

Suite 103

Portland, OR 97201

503-267-5570

allwayswellmac [dot] com

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Arnaud Versluys

Acupuncture Associates of Oregon LLC

2335 NW Raleigh Street, Ste. 123

Portland, OR 97005

503-780-1369

infoarnaudversluys [dot] com

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Kate Miller

Kate Miller, MSOM, L.Ac.

MSOM, L.Ac.

506 SW 6th Ave, Suite 801

Portland, OR 97204

(503) 241-6505

kateconfluenceclinic [dot] com

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Jennifer Netzer

Jennifer Netzer, MSOM, L.Ac.

MSOM, L.Ac.

506 SW 6th Avenue, Ste. 801

Portland, OR 97204

503-241-6505

jenniferconfluenceclinic [dot] com

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Kumiko Shirai

Shirai, LLC

2335 NW Raleigh St Suite 123

Portland, OR 97210

541-729-1164

infokumikoshirai [dot] com

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Becca Seitz

Thrive Acupuncture

OR - Ac01033

3133 NE Prescott St.

Portland, OR 97211

971-285-4825

beccathriveacupuncture [dot] org

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Erin Moreland

Three Treasures Oriental Medicine

AC01229, LMT #7242

3769 SE Milwaukie Ave.

Portland, OR 97202

503-544-7763

erin3treasuresorientalmed [dot] com

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Melinda Nickels

Nickels Natural Health

ND, LAc in Washington and Oregon

306 E. 16th St., Suite N

Vancouver, WA 98663

360-818-4218

drmelindanickelsnaturalhealth [dot] com

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Charles Grey

Starside Healing Arts LLC

AC01160, LMT15144

852 SW 21st Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

503-956-0912

infostarsidehealingarts [dot] com

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Kjell Moline

Confluence Clinic

L.Ac. (AC01254)

506 SW 6th Ave.

Suite 801

Portland, OR 97204

503-241-6505

kjellconfluenceclinic [dot] com

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Elizabeth Zenger

Inner Works Acupuncture

L.Ac.

811 NW 20th Ave.

Ste. 203

Portland, OR 97209

503-227-2127

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J.J. Pursell

The Herb Shoppe and Natural Clinic

Doctorate of Naturopathy, Master of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture

3327 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Portland, OR 97214

503-234-7801

theherbshoppegmail [dot] com

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Danielle Melanson

Danielle Melanson @ Elixia Wellness Group

L.Ac.

8113 SE 13th avenue

Portland, OR 97202

(503) 232-5653

dmelansonelixiawellness [dot] com

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Tracy Thorne

Tracy Thorne Wellness LLC

Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Personal Trainer NSCA, Registered Yoga Teacher

3641 SE 28th Avenue

Portland, OR 97202

503-481-6702

tracytracythorne [dot] net

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