Why did you decide to study chinese medicine?

In 1995, I moved to Seattle to pursue a medical degree. Living on the west coast, I had become exposed to alternative healing therapies and found that I had a natural interest in holistic nutrition and herbal medicine, but at that point, I had never even heard of acupuncture.

It didn't take long! Just a few weeks after I moved to Seattle to prepare for medical school, I was involved in a terrible car accident that left me with severe leg damage. After nine months of seeing doctors and living with debilitating pain, I blindly walked into an acupuncture office near my home.

It was the office of Dr. Cao, one of the original founders of the acupuncture program at Bastyr University. After the first treatment that I received in his clinic, I knew that I was going to acupuncture school.

By the following year I was enrolled at Bastyr. It was a wonderful program that offered many opportunities. Some of my most valuable experience came from the two years that I spent on staff in the Chinese Herbal Pharmacy of our clinic where herbal medicines are prepared for hundreds of patients every week. I also had the opportunity to complete an internship at Chengdu University in Sichuan Province, China. It was in China that I truly got to experience the power of this incredible medicine and recognize how well Bastyr had prepared me for my work.

During the last seven years of my private practice, I have continued my training endlessly and have returned often to work for Bastyr to assist in preparing students for clinical internship. For the last 3 years, I have been a private student of Lonny Jarrett in Stockbridge, MA and have praciticing Vipassana Meditation at the Northwest Vipassana Center in Onalaska, WA. I am currently serving as the President of their non-profit trust.

What kind of degrees and credentials do you have?

I received my Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from Bastyr University. I am a board certified through the NCCAOM and licensed through the state of Washington Department of Health.

How long have you been practicing?

I began practicing when I graduated from Bastyr in 2001.

There is evidence that the practice of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine dates back over 3,000 years. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine embrace the Daoist principles of creating harmony through the balance of the dualities of nature. In the history of Chinese Medicine, there has never been a separation of what we now call in the west "the mind-body connection." Chinese Medicine came to the west in the early 1970's and has flourished as a safe and effective approach to modern disease.

How does it work?

To diagnosis and treat properly in Chinese Medicine each individual person is considered as a unique and dynamic whole and the goal is to establish total health in mind, body, spirit and environment. Therefore, symptoms are never suppressed. Instead, they are considered important to understanding a patient's condition. Any function of the body that is considered weak, overactive or "stuck" is gently adjusted to help the body return to its natural state of balance. Chinese medicine uses acupuncture needles to access and activate qi (pronounced "chee" - most closely translated into Western thought as "vital energy"). The body contains nearly 500 precise acupuncture points that traverse the body along "meridian lines." With acupuncture, we can create tremendous change in the body and strongly impact the neurological patterns that define our health status.

Chinese Herbal Medicine has been handed down through family "recipes" for thousands of years. It is best to think of these herbal formulas as power-packed superfoods; rich in nutrients and positive catalysts. Treatment with herbs, as with proper nutrition, will actually change the internal condition of the body as it heals the symptoms. Although acupuncture has gained quick popularity because of its fast results, it is important to remember that Chinese Medicine values the development of a deeper foundation of health that can only be attained through proper care of the body over an entire lifetime. Exercise, diet, and meditation are the building blocks of vitality and we have a tremendous body of knowledge available to assist in your goals of an active and healthy life.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture needles are solid, high quality, surgical stainless steel. They are hair-thin and easy to insert into the body.

All of the needles used in this clinic are sterilized, disposable needles that are used only one time with each individual patient. Acupuncture needles are manufactured according to single-use standards of sterility.

If there is a negative side effect to treatment it usually subsides within 24 hours. In 10 years of performing acupuncture, I have never had a patient experience a long lasting negative reaction to treatment.

Does it hurt?

Most patients find acupuncture painless and relaxing. Though there is occasionally a temporary discomfort with the insertion, acupuncture needles are rarely described as painful and can be quickly adjusted if the patient feel's any discomfort. If any unpleasant sensation is experienced during insertion it is often compared to a mosquito bite and disappears very quickly. Once the needles are inserted, they may be manipulated to obtain a mild "Qi" sensation. This is how an acupuncturist engages the energy and biochemical responses in your body to create change. Often people describe their sensations as warming, heavy, numb or tingling. I take great care to make my patients very comfortable so that they can relax while the needles are in place. There are many different styles and techniques of needling and I am happy to adjust my approach to make it compatible with your needs. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Many people even fall asleep during treatment.

What kind of conditions do you treat?

Every major system of the body can be improved with the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Many common problems that I treat in my practice include:
-Allergies, Hay Fever, Sinusitis, Asthma, Common Cold
-Digestive Complaints, IBS, Heartburn, Acid Reflux
-Weight Disorders and Food Sensitivities
-Neurological and Muscular Disorders
-Gynecological Problems
-Hormonal Imbalances
- Fertility Issues
-Mood Disorders such as Anxiety and Depression
-General Stress, Sleep Disorders, Fatigue
-Migraines and chronic headaches
- Musculo-Skeletal Pain
-Assistance in physical detox
-Resolution of chronic and acute infections

Do I need to discontinue my medications?

We have access to all of the best medical care from surgery to meditation. There are generally no contra-indications for adding complementary care to your treatment allopathic plan. In many cases, I can often help people reduce their reliance on pharmaceutical medication. I am open to working with any approach that gets positive results.

When can I expect to feel better?

The results of the treatments vary depending on the severity and nature of your condition. Acupuncture treatment can be effective in just one session or can require a few months of regular visits. Typically, the longer the problem has been there, the longer it will take before it will resolve completely. At your first visit we will take time and discuss what type of treatment plan is most appropriate for your specific case. Unless there is some kind of permanent damage to the body, it is my experience that we can usually see some results within the first 4-6 visits.

Sometimes it will be important to consult with multiple practitioners to treat more complex issues. I have been working in Anacortes since 2001 and have a wonderful network of talented physicians and healers that we can collaborate with to provide you with the best care.

How often should I be treated?

Typically I treat patients once a week. However, if the condition is very painful, it is sometimes helpful to begin with more frequent visits. The benefits of acupuncture treatments tend to hold longer as you receive more treatments. What typically happens is that my patients start to need to see me less and less frequently but may find they benefit if they come periodically for "tune-up" or if a new condition arises.

How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?

Make sure you eaten a meal earlier in the day but try not to eat heavy meals right before your treatment. Do not engage in prolonged exercise immediately before your appointment. If you are accustomed to brushing or scraping your tongue try to remember not to on the day of your appointment. Sometimes, I will be looking at the tongue coating and color for diagnosis.

It is important to realize that our visits will tend to be more comprehensive than other health care appointments you are used to. We will be striving to uncover the deepest and most important things that are affecting your life and your health condition. Try to arrive in a relaxed state of mind so that you can receive the best benefit of treatment.

Are my visits confidential?

I have the greatest respect for your right to privacy. I will not release any records or disclose of any information without your direct consent.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

I am a preferred provider with most major insurance companies. But it is up to you to check with your insurance plan. By calling the number provided on your card or checking on-line you should be able to get accurate information about your coverage. I do not accept Group Health, Tri-Care or Personal Injury Claims.