 I originally became a family physician because I wanted to provide preventive health care to my patients. I found my western medicine background very helpful in managing a myriad of medical disorders. But too often, over the more than 15 years as a family physician, I felt that only the disease process itself was being addressed, rather than incorporating the whole person in the treatment plan. Also, many patients in my practice that either could not tolerate, or chose not to take western drugs, desired more natural healing methods.
In order to answer this need, coupled with my own interest in pain management that did not rely solely on drug therapy, I pursued and successfully completed training in medical acupuncture. This discipline combines the benefits of western medicine with acupuncture, an ancient method of healing that has been in practice for over 2000 years. Using one or the other approach, or a combination of both eastern and western disciplines, therapies can be developed to allow for illness treatment, prevention, and promotion of improved physical and emotional well-being.
I place a strong emphasis on prevention in my medical practice. I tend to spend more time with patients, addressing nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. I rely less on western medications, preferring the emphasis on lifestyle, sometimes incorporating Chinese herbs in order to extend the benefits of my acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture has been practiced for over 2000 years for a multitude of medical disorders. I have special interest in its application in the areas of pain management, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual and urologic disorders, respiratory disorders, arthritis, and neuromuscular disorders, including fibromyalgia. Acupuncture has been particularly helpful in treating physical problems related to underlying stress and emotional states.
I earned my undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University in 1984, going on to earning my degree in medicine in 1989 at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I completed my residency in Family Practice in 1992 at the Marquette Family Practice Residency, an affiliate of Michigan State University. I am board certified in Family Practice, recertifying most recently in 2004. I successfully completed training in medical acupuncture in 2005, attending the Helms Medical Institute, an affiliate of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
I am a current member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, the Oregon Medical Association, and the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians. |
