Daniel Altschuler L.Ac, Ph.D
Daniel L. Altschuler, L.Ac., Ph.D. began studying the art of Chinese Medicine in 1992 in Taiwan under the master physician, Dr. Lee Chen-Yr. He worked and studied in the clinic as an apprentice while researching classic medical texts in their original Chinese language.
Daniel earned the distinguished honor of becoming an assistant to Dr. Lee where he interviewed and helped treat patients. He also trained new students and taught numerous classes around Taiwan at universities, medical colleges and community centers.
Before returning to the United States in 2006, Daniel earned a PhD in Chinese Medicine at the Guangzhou College of Chinese Medicine in mainland China where he studied the effects of Chinese herbs on hepatic cancer.
Currently Daniel lives in Seattle and teaches at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine (SIOM) and Bastyr Universities in addition to maintaining a private practice. He has extensive experience in Chinese medicine and acupuncture for back pain as well as many other acute and chronic ailments.
Listen in as Daniel shares his experience of treating stroke during his many years in Asia.
Steve & Sandi Amoils M.D.
Steve and Sandi Amoils are the Co-Medical Directors of the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine (AIIM) in Cincinnati. Both are Adjunct Assistant Professors in the Department of Medical Education at the University of Cincinnati. Sandi serves as the current past president of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA), while Steve serves as the Ohio Chapter president of the AAMA. AIIM has been recognized as a national leading center in Integrative Medicine since 2004.
Trained in South Africa, London, and then in the United States, Steve and Sandi are board-certified family physicians. After completing their medical training in South Africa in 1984, they spent two years traveling around the world, studying various indigenous medical systems. They immigrated to the US in 1987, where they ultimately both practiced as Family Physicians in Cincinnati.
Since 1999, they have led a team of physicians and other therapists at AIIM in offering patients a comprehensive integrative approach to medicine, tailoring various therapies to each patient’s specific needs.
Through the 501 (c) 3, Integrative Medicine Foundation the Amoils are active in research, education and overseeing the Get Well program for the under-served.
Steve and Sandi are co-authors of the book: Get Well & Stay Well – Optimal Health through Transformational Medicine. Their book is a culmination of their experience in Integrative Medicine over the years and is aimed at helping people to transform their lives, no matter their current state of health.
Chris Axelrad L.Ac
Chris Axelrad is a specialist in hormonal, mind-body, and reproductive wellness using acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic nutrition, and mind-body coaching. After graduating #1 in his class from Bellaire High School in Houston, he studied jazz performance at the University of North Texas. He then completed a successful 10-year career as a software developer before embarking on his journey as an acupuncturist.
Mr. Axelrad is currently the President of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), a specialty board dedicated to excellence in holistic fertility care. He is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Chinese Bodywork. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine in 2003, Mr. Axelrad completed extensive graduate and postgraduate studies not only in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but also Western endocrinology, psychoneuroimmunology, neuroendocrinology, nutrition, mind-body disciplines, and interpretation of lab results.
Greg Bantick L.Ac
Greg Bantick, B.Ac., M.T.O.M. In 1975 he started studying Chinese medicine in Sydney, Australia. In the late 70’s he was part of a small group that started the first Acupuncture college in Brisbane, while maintaining an active private practice.
In 1982 he spent the year studying in China and Japan. On his return he arranged trips by several leading Chinese and Japanese scholar practitioners to Brisbane. In 1986 he moved to San Diego, where he began teaching at the new Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
Greg served in curriculum advisory roles and as a senior faculty member and clinical supervisor for over 14 years. He helped develop the Masters Degree program. In 2001 he was invited to be Academic Dean and Clinical Director of the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine.
He returned to Brisbane in early 2005 where he maintains a clinical practice and teaches to the profession.
Susan Bauer-Wu
Susan Bauer-Wu is the Tussi and John Kluge Professor in Contemplative End-of-Life Care and director of the Compassionate Care Initiative at the University of Virginia (UVa) School of Nursing, with secondary appointment in the UVa Department of Religious Studies. Her work focuses on the use of mindfulness meditation and other mind-body approaches to bolster stress resilience and sense of well-being, for which she has garnered significant research funding.
Besides her academic scholarship, she has authored a book for the lay public, Leave Falling Gently: Living Fully with Serious & Life-Limiting Illness through Mindfulness, Compassion, & Connectedness (New Harbinger, 2011). She is currently on the board of advisors of Mindful magazine, immediate past-president of the Society for Integrative Oncology, a Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow, senior fellow of the Mind & Life Institute, and Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Susan is well recognized for her expertise in secular contemplative practices, such as mindfulness and compassion meditation, and teaches and leads workshops, retreats, and training programs for people living with cancer and other serious illnesses and their loved ones, health care professionals, and university students.
Keith Bell L.Ac
R. Keith Bell, L.Ac. is the founder and clinical director of Oriental Medicine Specialists in Richmond, VA is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist, certified professional doula and respected teacher. Recognized as an expert in holistic health, women’s health and holistic fertility enhancement, Keith has more than 16 years of clinical experience using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and functional medicine to help women and their partners successfully conceive and maintain healthy pregnancies.
In 2005 Keith developed his Conscious Conceptions program to educate patients and promote an integrative approach to reproductive medicine by providing holistic preconception planning to patients and actively working to coordinate patient care with other providers. Keith’s success with Conscious Conceptions helped establish an integrative partnership with Dr. Anish A. Shah of Richmond Center for Fertility & Endocrinology.
Keith Bell is committed to providing education and inspiration and is a sought after speaker and teacher. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine and welcomes residents into his clinic, providing supervision and firsthand experience with holistic medicine. Keith developed and taught the first courses based on holistic theory to the Schools of Nursing and Integrative Science and Technology at James Madison University. He also offers unique and practical continuing education for licensed acupuncturists, doula’s and birthing assistant.
Debra Betts P.hD, L.Ac
Debra graduated from the London College of Acupuncture in 1989. With a practice based in women’s health she commenced acupuncture courses for midwives in 1997. This led to publications on the use of acupuncture and acupressure in pregnancy including her 2006 text book “The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth” which has subsequently been translated into German and French. Dr Betts completed her PhD on the use of acupuncture in threatened miscarriage in 2014.
She is currently an Adjunct Fellow at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine at the University of Western Sydney and the Director of Postgraduate Programmes for an online Masters course through the New Zealand School Acupuncture.
She also supervisors a hospital maternity acupuncture clinic in New Zealand, has numerous publications in peer reviewed journals and lectures internationally on the use of acupuncture in maternity care. She currently resides with her husband in Wellington, New Zealand.
Tom Bisio L.Ac
In addition to practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine in New York City, Tom teaches the Chinese internal arts of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan. These internal arts, long used by the Chinese for longevity and wellbeing, are available to everyone, without mysticism or secrecy.
Tom also teaches Zhen Guo Tuina, the traditional Chinese science of joint and tissue manipulation to practitioners.
Tom is the author of the popular book, A Tooth From the Tiger’s Mouth and co-author with Frank Butler on Zheng Gu Tui Na : A Chinese Medical Massage Textbook.
Listen to Tom’s interview on using the trauma medicine of the Chinese martial arts to heal everyday trauma, sprains and strains.
Torii Black L.Ac, R.N.
Torii is a nationally certified and state licensed acupuncturist with 16 years of experience. In 1999, while completing her Master’s program in Traditional Chinese Medicine, she received the Founder’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship. She has additional certifications as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS) and as a Certified Provider of Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncture (CPHPCA) She is currently the Director of the newly founded, National Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncturists (NAHPCA).
Torii is familiar with both Eastern and Western medical approaches to wellness. She received her B.A. in Psychology and worked in the mental health field as a teacher, counselor and nurse. As a registered nurse, her experience includes work in acute detoxification, emergency departments, and as a hospice and palliative care nurse case manager. Torii has 32 years combined years of experience in massage, as a therapist and a teacher. She is nationally known as a Reiki Master/Teacher of 26 years. She teaches and is available for acupuncture and health-related workshops and courses, including a two NCCAOM approved hospice acupuncture courses.
As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Torii knows that in order for the body to regain optimal wellness, it must be in balance. She creates individualized treatments for her patients by combining nutrition, massage, herbal remedies, and energy balancing techniques. As a hospice acupuncturist, her goal is to help people move through their physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges to gain a peaceful perspective at the end of life.
Listen in to our discussion about the ways that acupuncture can help with end of life transition.
Mary Bond
I’ve been a student of the human body since I donned my first dancing shoes at age six. After receiving an MA degree in Dance from UCLA, I was privileged to study with Ida Rolf, originator of a type of body therapy known as Structural Integration. I’m proud to have been certified as a Structural Integration practitioner by Dr. Rolf herself.
Rolf’s understanding of the body went beyond anything I’d learned during many years of movement training. She taught that gravity organizes human structures and that people can achieve an optimal relationship with this determining force through bodywork and education.
My book, The New Rules of Posture, presents new developments in movement education. It evolved out of my wish to share the legacy of Ida Rolf with the general public. While this legacy includes the understanding of posture and movement, it also has philosophical implications. The deeper message is that the way we inhabit our bodies affects the ways in which we perceive the world and behave toward one another. My 2012 DVD, Heal Your Posture, further elucidates this message.
It has been my experience that people who understand and respect their bodies tend to have an open and compassionate perspective on life. My mission, as a writer, teacher and Rolfer, is to help people further that understanding and respect.
Listen in as we attune to subtle movements that bring both spacious awareness and physical ease.
Lara Briden N.D.
Lara Briden is a board certified naturopathic doctor who qualified from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1997.
She currently runs a busy hormone clinic in Sydney, Australia, and posts regularly at Lara Briden’s Healthy Hormone Blog.
She is the author of the book Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods
Lorne Brown D.TCM
Dr. Lorne Brown is the Founder and Clinical Director of Acubalance Wellness Centre, Pro D Seminars, Medigogy and the Integrative Fertility Symposium.
After a career as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Lorne received his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Vancouver’s International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he has extensive postgraduate training in gynecology, obstetrics, and reproductive medicine. In 2012, Lorne published the Acubalance Fertility Diet which is made available for free through the Acubalance website.
Internationally known for his pioneering work as an educator and advocate for integrated fertility care, Lorne was the first Canadian to be a certified fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM).
Lorne has presented at fertility conferences and meetings throughout North America, including the 2012 annual meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOCG), and the Science Advisory Panel of Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC). Dr. Brown is the Acupuncturist advisor to IVF.ca: Canada’s premier online fertility community.
The latest addition to his bucket list is organizing the International Integrative Fertility Symposium in beautiful Vancouver British Columbia where he resides.
Jason Bussell L.Ac Ph.D
Jason earned his Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine in the USA and his Ph.D in Acupuncture from China. He is the Past-President of the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is the current Vice-Chairman of the Illinois State Government’s Board of Acupuncture. He has published articles in Eastern and Western professional publications, and his book, The Asian Diet: Simple secrets for eating right, losing weight, and being well has been sold around the world. Read more about the book at http://www.theasiandiet.com .
Dr. Bussell is also a teacher. He is an adjunct professor at DePaul University, and he regularly lectures to medical professionals, medical students, and the general public. His area of research involves memory and anxiety. He has created a technique that was clinically proven to improve memory, test performance, and reduce anxiety. This is helpful for students, but also for older adults who feel their mental faculties slipping. You may read the study by following this link.
Rose Christopherson Ph.D, M.D.
I’ve both a Ph.D in Philosophy and an M.D. I did my internship and residency in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Then stayed on to do a fellowship in vascular and thoracic anesthesia. While in grad school I fell in love and married John Combs, a cancer researcher and pathology professor at Hershey Medical School.
We came west to Portland, Oregon, in 1996, where I worked as a staff anesthesiologist at the Portland VA Medical Center (PVAMC), with a joint appointment as associate professor at Oregon Health and Science University. For several years I edited the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Newsletter. Additionally, I’ve done research on cancer and epidural anesthesia.
My colleague Diane Miller went to the Helms Medical Institute (HMI) School of Acupuncture at UCLA in the early 2000’s. While learning and practicing she cured my acid reflux, kept my ancient mother from falling, and helped John with health issues resulting in pain. All this lead to my studying Taoist meditation, and going to HMI to learn acupuncture myself.
I did perioperative acupuncture until 2010 when I retired. My dear John suffered with various circulatory illnesses and I worked hard with acupuncture and western medicine to help him with his many health challenges toward the end of his life. This taught me much about the ways in which ancient and modern medicine could be used together.
Currently I have an acupuncture clinic at Augustana Lutheran Church, and volunteer at the Veterans Acupuncture Project, in Portland, Oregon.
Listen in to this episode and learn how Rose used acupuncture helped her husband to heal an “unhealable” ulcer due to circulatory issues.
Damiana Corca L.Ac
Damiana Corca is a Licensed Acupuncturist specializing in sleep disorders. Her private practice is in Boulder and Denver, Colorado and she also offer long distance consulting.
Damiana is teaching a sleep specialty topic class at Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder and she loves sharing the wealth of Chinese medicine and sleep with her students.
She understands that healing a sleep problem takes more than just sticking needles in people so she has founded the program Life After 7pm to support people in creating better habits in the evenings so they can sleep better.
Diane Cridennda L.Ac
Diane brings over twenty years of Western Medicine experience as a radiologic technologist to her medical treatment care plans. As is true for many Integrative and Complementary Health care providers, a personal tragedy helped expose Diane to what 4,000 years of Chinese Medicine could do to help those “difficult cases” or “resistant to typical treatment” patients who fall between the cracks of Western medicine; only to get their lives back with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is what happened for Diane, however she still believes that there is a place for Western Medicine and embraces an integrative approach.
Diane has been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for 18 years now. Since 1999, she has worked with Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Centers, headed by Paul C Magarelli, MD, Ph.D., to create the largest clinical private practice research center in the integration of Acupuncture and IVF. She has published numerous studies investigating the impact of TCM (Acupuncture) combined with high tech fertility treatments. Her protocol is used around the world to not only help women become pregnant but to help them achieve a “Take Home Baby”.
Diane is also a competitive Triathlete and has a passion for keeping her athletes up and running, injury free as well as enhancing their health and performance.
Listen in for how to use both ancient and modern methods to enhance your fertility.
Amy Darling L.Ac
Amy is an intuitive healer, acupuncturist and health educator in downtown Seattle. Her patients reclaim their health and discover renewed well-being through acupuncture treatments, dietary changes, herbal medicine and physical movement.
While acupuncture is one of her primary therapeutic tools, it is only one of the many healing modalities she uses in her clinic. She treats a broad spectrum of conditions and strongly supports patients to take an active, educated and empowered role in their health care.
Listen to her interview about Cultivating Quietude, the Curious Power of Sitting Still
Peter Deadman L.Ac
Peter Deadman has practised and taught Chinese medicine and its health cultivation tradition for over 45 years. He is co-author of A Manual of Acupuncture and author of Live Well Live Long: Teachings from the Chinese Nourishment of Life Tradition.
Nowadays he regularly lectures on the subject, teaches qigong, cooks, grows herbs and shiitake mushrooms, and tries to remember to get out in nature as often as possible and dance around his kitchen at least once a week.
Farrar Duro DOM, FABORM
Dr. Farrar Duro DOM, FABORM practices reproductive acupuncture and became a Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine in 2008. After overcoming her own struggles with PCOS and endometriosis using a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and other natural methods, she has felt tremendous joy in sharing her methods with other women.
Dr. Duro has since specialized in the treatment of PCOS, infertility and female pelvic pain with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 15 years and has a passion for women’s health and wellness. This path led her to pursue advanced pregnancy training in the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy and publication of her first book, The Smart Couple’s Guide to Getting Pregnant, An Integrated Approach in 2015.
A board-certified acupuncture physician, Dr. Duro graduated from the Florida College of Integrative Medicine and performed her post-graduate training at Shandong University of TCM in Shandong, China. She holds regular speaking engagements at local universities, hospitals and IVF centers to advocate for a better understanding of integrative women’s health between patients, doctors and other complementary healthcare providers.
Erica Elliott M.D.
Erica Elliott is a physician in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a private practice specializing in family and environmental medicine. She has been referred to as a “Health Detective,” drawing from a wide range of disciplines, both mainstream and alternative, to diagnose and treat many different types of illnesses, often difficult to identify.
She has successfully treated problems that do not respond to pharmaceutical drugs or other conventional treatments.
Trained initially in Western medicine, she also relies on traditional and alternative methods of healing from around the world. Her unique approach to treating her patients requires her to customize each treatment specifically to that person’s ailment, while at the same time addressing the health of the whole person.
Listen in and find out some of the profound ways our environment can impact our health and wellbeing.
Trevor Erickson
For over 10 years, Dr. Trevor Erikson (Dr.TCM) has successfully helped hundreds of people safely manage eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. He believes that most skin diseases stem from internal imbalances and need to be treated from the ‘inside-out’ using individually crafted herbal medicine preparations.
Trevor was first inspired to treat skin disease when he watched his own wife, who had suffered herself with severe eczema, obtain completely clear skin using Chinese herbal medicines (an effect that lasted well over 10 years after finishing the herbal treatment). This motivated him to train in the busy dermatology wards in Chengsha, China, where he witnessed upwards of 60 patients per day being treated with herbal medicines for their troubled skin (2005). Trevor then went on to graduate in 2007 from Mazin Al-Khafaji’s prestigious Chinese medicine dermatology diploma program in London, England.
Trevor has published articles on Chinese medicine dermatology in international medical journals and has taught through webinars and at the Integrative Fertility Symposium.
He currently sees patients in the Vancouver, BC, area and can be reached through his website
Laura Erlich L.Ac
Laura Erlich is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, birth doula, and a co-author of Feed Your Fertility, Your Guide to Cultivating a Healthy Pregnancy with Chinese Medicine, Read Food and Holistic Living.
She is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, and teaches continuing education to acupuncturists all over the world through Pro D seminars.
Laura practices Chinese medicine at L.A. Herbs and Acupuncture, a clinic she co-founded in 2007.
Listen to her podcast on cultivating fertility through food and a nourishing lifestyle.
Bryan Frank M.D, L.Ac
Bryan L. Frank, M.D. received his Doctor of Medicine in 1981 at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, followed by a Pediatric Internship and an Anesthesiology/Pain Management Residency at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas as well as a Fellowship in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine through the A4M. He is Board Certified in Pain Management, Medical Acupuncture and Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Frank practices Natural Sports & Pain Medicine, Prolotherapy, Neural Therapy, Medical Acupuncture, Biomagnetic Pair Therapy, Laser and Micro-current therapies and consults for Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy and for Metabolic and Nutritional Health. Information about his practice is found at http://www.Re-GenesisHealth.com.
Dr. Frank is a highly acclaimed national and international invited speaker and has authored numerous professional works, including his newest book, Travel Well, Naturally: An Essential Guide to Staying Healthy on Personal, Business or Mission Travel. He is developing natural healthcare products for professionals and consumers through BioThera International LLC at http://www.TravelDoc.info. See also http://www.AuricularTherapy.com.
Dr. Frank is President of Global Mission Partners, Inc., a 501-c-3 Not-for-Profit charitable corporation, serving healthcare needs to those with little or no access to healthcare in Nepal, India, Kenya, Ecuador, México and elsewhere. Information regarding these projects around the globe may be seen at http://www.GlobalMissionPartners.org.
Cara Frank L.Ac
Cara Frank has been a practitioner and teacher of acupuncture and Chinese herbology since 1993. She is a popular lecturer, known especially for her clear and humorous teaching style. Cara has demystified Chinese herbology for acupuncturists, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, botanists and researchers.
Cara’s initial training was at the New England School of Acupuncture where she is a 1983 graduate. It was in China, that her love affair with Chinese herbs took root, and still flourishes. Recently, Cara has studied Classical Formulas with Dr. Huang Huang of Nanjing.
In 1991, she founded China Herb Company, which was the first mail order compounding Chinese herbal dispensary in the United States. Cara has developed a line of her own herbal formulas, including formulas for cancer support, respiratory and pediatric health under the brand name “Six Fishes Chinese Herbs.” She is the founder of Six Fishes Chinese Medicine, an acupuncture and herb practice with two locations in Philadelphia. She leads a team of TCM practitioners who specialize in herbology, EENT disorders, pediatrics and internal medicine.
Listen in and learn how to knock the snot out of sinus problems!
Marshall Garland
Currently certified as:
QiGong Instructor (Therapeutic QiGong)
Tai Chi Instructor (24-form Yang style)
Tui Na Wellness Practitioner
My QiGong and Taiji (Tai Chi) journey began over 20 years ago as an effort to get some exercise, relieve stress, lower my cholesterol, and live an over-all better lifestyle. Since I retired from the workforce in 2014, I have devoted my time to teaching Tai Chi and QiGong, and doing Tui Na for family and friends.
I’ve studied, learned, and practiced Daoist Tai Chi (based on the 108-form Yang style) and Chen style long-form. I have now settled on the 24-form Yang style (a.k.a. the “Beijing form”) to teach since it’s reputed to be the most widely-practiced form of Tai Chi in the world. It takes much less time to learn and become proficient in for the average person. It takes only five to six minutes to perform, so it easily fits into a busy schedule. Yang style is also less jarring on the body than Chen style and more appealing to older people.
Since the late 1990s, I’ve learned several QiGong forms in addition to Therapeutic QiGong: Wild Goose QiGong, Ba Duan Jin (8 Pieces of Brocade), Taiji QiGong, Sitting QiGong Meditation, and Zhan Zhuang (standing post QiGong). There are hundreds of others, each with its own focus, but all require slow and deep breathing, mental focus, moving with intent, and fluidity.
Amy Giele L.Ac
Amy is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Compass Acupuncture Tacoma. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Acupuncture from the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine. Amy came to find East Asian medicine after suffering with a headache for 121 consecutive days. After trying everything else, she decided to try acupuncture and it changed her life.
Before coming to East Asian medicine, Amy was an exercise physiologist and certified strength and conditioning specialist where she worked with everyone from professional athletes to cancer patients. She has managed to blend her working knowledge of exercise physiology and East Asian medicine to help her patients at all stages of their journey towards health. When she isn’t in the clinic, you will find her exploring the magnificent natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest or spending time with her amazing and supportive family and friends.
Steve Given DAOM, L.Ac
Steve Given, DAOM, L.Ac. is the Academic Associate Dean at ACTCM at California Institute of Integral Studies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Portland State University, a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperor’s College and a doctorate in acupuncture and Oriental medicine from Bastyr University.
Dr. Given’s areas of clinical interest include HIV/AIDS, supportive care for cancer patients and addiction treatment. He is a licensed acupuncturist in California and Washington.
Over the past 25 years, he has held academic, clinical and administrative appointments at a number of institutions. Dr. Given has served as a site visit chair and past commissioner for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He has served as a subject matter expert for the Clean Needle Committee of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as well as a subject matter expert for the biomedical exam administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Research interests have included acupuncture for addiction treatment and neuropathic pain. His doctoral research was on the in vitro apoptotic activity of Chinese herbs on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Steve is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Integrative Medicine A Clinicians Journal and Meridians.
Prior to his acupuncture career, Dr. Given worked in the microbiology field as a lab supervisor and research technologist.
Holly Grigg-Spall
Holly Grigg-Spall is the author of “Sweetening the Pill: Or How We Got Hooked On Hormonal Birth Control” (Zero Books, 2013).
Her work on women’s health issues has featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, New York magazine, the Sunday Times, the Guardian, the Independent, the Washington Post and on BBC and CBC radio, amongst others. She also writes weekly for LadyClever.com.
Holly is currently working on her next book.
Janice Hadlock DAOM, L.Ac
Dr. Janice Hadlock, DAOM, LAc, is a professor at the Five Branches college of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, in Santa Cruz, California. She is also the founder of the non-profit Parkinson’s Recovery Project. All the research findings of the Project, including several books, are available for free download at http://www.pdrecovery.org.
Dr. JJ, as she is known, has been studying Chinese medicine since the late 1980s. Her studies in Chinese ” (bio-electric) channel theory” helped her stumble across some highly unusual sub-dermal electrical patterns in people with Parkinson’s: patterns ordinarily associated with severe shock. Over years of research, she has been able to put together an explanation for the development of idiopathic Parkinson’s that brings together and makes perfect sense of all the research loose ends and even seemingly contradictory neurological patterns that can be seen in the highly individualistic, even come-and-go symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
As for the recovery from Parkinson’s, it does not involve acupuncture. Acupuncture can, over the long-term, actually accelerate the symptoms. Recovery turns out to be very much a do-it-yourself project – those who read the material and apply it on their own are the ones who recover most quickly and efficiently. Those who insist that they will need someone else to act as therapist and “fix” them are least likely to recover. Please note that those who have taken anti-parkinson’s medications for longer than three weeks are not good candidates for recovery.
Lisa Hanfileti L.Ac
Lisa Hanfileti is a Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) and East Asian Medicine Practitioner (EAMP) with a Masters Degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and an active member of the Acupuncture Business Academy. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, Lisa received her Masters (MA) Degree in Biology from Boston University where she specialized in research in Reproductive Endocrinology.
Lisa worked as a Laboratory Technologist specializing in Embryology and Andrology and became interested in the (often unaddressed) influences of mind, body, and spirit (including stress, emotions, and beliefs) on infertility.
Her exposure to acupuncture and Chinese Medicine began when she tried it in 1995 because of chronic headaches and insomnia. (But that’s only half of the story! For the full story, read, From Acupuncture Skeptic To Believer and Beyond on Lisa’s “other” website, dedicated to helping new acupuncturists create, manage, and grow a successful acupuncture practice.)
Matt Haug L.Ac
Born in 1962, Matt “grew up” in the Poetics Department at the New College of California in San Francisco where he was fortunate to study with the poets Robert Duncan, Diane Di Prima, Clark Coolidge and others. He graduated from there in 1985 with a BA in Poetics.
Advanced studies in Field Theory and “the local” lead him (back) to New Mexico to study with the well known herbalist Michael Moore. After working in the herb industry for several years. He attended ACTCM and received his Acupuncture License in 2002. Since that time he has worked in Pain Clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Njemile Carol Jones L.Ac
I have had a deep interest in East Asian medicine for 30 years. In the late 1980’s, I turned to acupuncture to heal my own very painful menstrual periods. I was so impressed with the immediate results, and amazed to discover that each month, I could have periods without cramps, food cravings or debilitating pain.
I wanted to know more about how this medicine worked. For years I read every book I could find on acupuncture & Chinese herbs, while studying tai qi & qi gong regularly.
I made the decision to leave my career in broadcast journalism, for formal study in the mid 1990’s. I graduated with honors from the San Diego branch of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 1999 with a Masters in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine.
One of the highlights of that training was a 10-month series of classes in Gynecology with renowned TCM physician, the late Dr. Yitian Ni. Dr. Ni had a thriving practice in San Diego successfully treating thousands of fertility patients, decades before acupuncture for fertility became a popular course of treatment in the US. She generously shared her treatment methods with her students. Her insightful, skilled clinical techniques for diagnosing and treating all OB/GYN conditions continue to provide a solid foundation for my practice today.
Xander Kahn L.Ac
Xander Kahn is a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist who brings integrity, empathy, and attention to detail to his treatments. He is passionate about providing people with natural healing options and a balanced approach to care for their health concerns, and has experience working with dermatological conditions, pain & sports injuries, digestive disorders, and men’s health issues.
Xander discovered acupuncture while struggling with lifelong weight and digestive issues; he found that a combination of acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle changes were able to affect significant positive changes in his wellbeing. This lead him to becoming an acupuncturist because of his own firsthand experiences with the healing power of this medicine.
Listen in on a story of transformation with food, and the benefit of trading the food pyramid for the Chinese circle of flavors.
Paul Karsten L.Ac
Paul started his Zen training in 1973 and his Chinese medicine studies in 1980. These two practices have continued to sit at the heart of his inquiry regarding life and well being. As one of the founders of the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, he envisioned this institution as being an ongoing exploration of ways to clarify our understanding and intention.
Presently, in addition to serving as Dean at SIOM and as one of the Institute’s faculty, he is constructing a hermitage on a secluded island in the Philippines.
Sandor Katz
Sandor Ellix Katz is a fermentation revivalist. His books Wild Fermentation (2003) and the Art of Fermentation (2012), along with the hundreds of fermentation workshops he has taught around the world, have helped to catalyze a broad revival of the fermentation arts.
A self-taught experimentalist who lives in rural Tennessee, the New York Times calls him “one of the unlikely rock stars of the American food scene.” The Art of Fermentation received a James Beard award, and In 2014, Sandor was honored with the Craig Claiborne Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Foodways Alliance.
For more information, check out Sandor’s website http://www.wildfermentation.com
Anna Kelly M.D., L.Ac
Anna C. Kelly, M.D. is a 1989 graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, where she also completed four years of residency training in anesthesiology. Additionally, she is a graduate of the “Medical Acupuncture for Physicians” program through UCLA. And is the only physician in Georgia to become a licensed acupuncturist (L. Ac.) after completing a five year TCM apprenticeship and passing the national NCCAOM exam.
Dr. Kelly is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She was the founding President of the Georgia Association of Medical Acupuncturists and is licensed to practice medicine and acupuncture in Georgia and South Carolina.
From June 2016 through June 2017, she served as an Integrative Medicine Physician for the Warrior Clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Kelly is currently a fellow in the Division of Addiction Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Dan Keown M.D., L.Ac
Dr Daniel Keown developed an interested in Chinese medicine in his teens from his octogenarian grandmother’s exploits in China.
After finishing his degree in medicine he worked for over a decade as an Emergency Room doctor before returning back to college to complete a degree in Chinese medicine.
Realizing that aspects of Chinese medicine remained poorly understood from a biomedical standpoint he traveled to China to study under the masterful tutelage of Dr Wang Ju-Yi. It was this study that provided the impetus to write ‘The Spark In The Machine.’ He lives in Tunbridge Wells in England with his wife and two children, and in his free time he grows vegetables on his allotment and dreams about the perfect wave.
Andy Kincart
Eco-Cha is a cooperative effort comprised of a small group of individuals with diverse backgrounds that have converged around tea culture in Taiwan.
Co-founder Andy Kincart has lived mostly in Taiwan since 1989.
In 1993, his appreciation for the locally grown tea led him to the home of Tony and Lisa Lin in the renowned Dong Ding Mountain tea-growing region. It has been an ongoing exploration of the world of tea in one of the world’s most unique tea growing areas. The Lin’s are among Taiwan’s primary proponents of tea culture, and Andy has watched their efforts flourish over the last 20 years as a close friend and supporter.
In 1997, Andy’s passion for tea lead him to start working as a private exporter of quality, artisan grown Oolong Tea. Now, after decades of an ever-deepening appreciation for this cultural treasure – he is endeavoring to be more progressive and bring this Taiwanese treasure to more people through his involvement with Eco-Cha.
Listen to Andy’s love of Taiwanese culture as expressed through the story and process of tea.
Christine Kizik
Christine Kizik is a teacher, researcher and product developer who started Sola Skincare in 2012 shortly after the birth of her second daughter. Alongside her husband Dr. Eran Even, who carefully crafts the Chinese herb blends used in many of their products, this handmade, small batch and family-run skin care company has grown slowly but surely.
After learning about the deceitful and rampant practice of greenwashing (where companies use key colours/words/images to give the appearance or impression that their product is natural/green/safe, but still contains harmful chemicals), Christine decided to create her own line of skincare products that were truly natural, using safe but effective plant based and food grade ingredients. Utilizing Eran’s Chinese herbal knowledge, it was a simple decision to combine their two strengths, and Sola Skincare was born.
Christine loves learning all she can about skincare and ingredients, and continually experiments with various blends until she has found the perfect fit. She loves sharing her knowledge and natural skin care solutions with friends, family and customers.
She lives just east of beautiful Vancouver, BC Canada with her husband Eran and two daughters Sophie & Lila.
Listen in to get the skinny on the green washing of skin care, and how to avoid it.
Stuart Kutchins L.Ac, OMD
Stuart Kutchins, O.M.D., L.Ac, has been studying and practicing East Asian medicine since 1972. He served as Professor of Oriental Medicine at the S.F. College of Acupuncture, and as Dean of its Division of Oriental Medicine and its doctoral program (1982-84). He was the founding chairman of the NCCAOM, the national board of examiners in acupuncture (1983-86) and after retiring from the board of the commission (in 1991), served as the principal consultant in development of its Chinese herbal medicine certification. And has served as a consultant in various capacities to the California Acupuncture Examining Committee and the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
Stuart co-authored Closing the Circle: Lectures in the Unity of Oriental Medicine (1983) with Peter Eckman, M.D., Ph.D. and has published a number of journal articles. Was honored as “Acupuncturist of the Year” by his national professional association (1985). And done a bunch of other similar stuff.
In 1993, Stuart closed his clinical practice and moved to Green Dragon Temple of the San Francisco Zen Center, where he and his wife were ordained as priests in the Soto Zen tradition. They remained in residential priest training there and at Zen Mind Temple at Tassajara until they completed their initiatory training cycle in 1999, after which they returned to their home in Inverness, California, and Stuart resumed clinical practice.
They have maintained an ongoing connection to Zen Center for continued study and practice; also they meet at the local community center once a week with a small group to meditate and discuss the Dharma. A few years ago Stuart took another sabbatical to serve as Head of Practice at Zen Mind Temple for six months. He thinks it’s the best gig ever and advises everyone who is offered an opportunity to do it to say yes.
Ryan Law L.Ac
Ryan Law is an acupuncturist , herbalist, and artist living in Seattle.
His acupuncture practice is called Gentle Point.
He makes sculpture, paints, takes photographs, records soundscapes, and does performance art.
Ryan believes we don’t have to suffer to feel better. That listening will give us the answers we aren’t able to see.
“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” ― Kurt Vonnegut
Gerald LeGlue L.Ac, M.D.
A graduate of Louisiana State University Medical Center-Shreveport, Gerald J. Leglue, Jr., MD, L.Ac completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He then moved to California and at the University of California, Los Angeles, Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital completed his residency program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. After residency, he did his Fellowship in Adult TBI, at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. He is a Fellow of AAPM&R.
In 2008, Dr. Leglue through The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, studied Medical Acupuncture. In 2009, he traveled to Beijing, China to become skilled in cosmetic acupuncture & weightloss. He is Board Certified in, both, medical acupuncture and PM&R.
He is the owner/operator of Leglue Physical Medicine Clinic, New York Physical Medicine Center and U.S. Physical Medicine Management.
David Lerner L.Ac
David Lerner is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Washington State. In 1997 David completed post-graduate training at the Beijing Cancer Institute and the Chengdu university of TCM where he trained with doctors specializing in oncology, gynecology, gastroenterology and dermatology. He received his diploma in Comprehensive Nutrition from Huntington College of Health Sciences in 2010. Furthermore David has completed advanced training in integrative oncology with renowned nutritionist and master herbalist Donnie Yance, and he continues ongoing study and regular consultation with him.
David treats a wide variety of health disorders with a focus on acute/chronic pain conditions, supportive cancer care, hormonal imbalances in women and men, as well as various digestive, autoimmune, mood, weight and gynecological disorders. He is passionate about combining the innate wisdom of Oriental medicine with targeted nutritional/botanical protocols relying on evidence-based data.
David practices acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional counseling at the Heart of Wellness clinic in Tumwater, Washington, and assists Evan Hirsch, MD at the Hirsch Center for Integrative Medicine with functional medicine.
Listen in as we discuss the prevention of cancer using nutrition and supplements, along with Chinese and Functional medicine.
Josh Lerner L.Ac
Josh Lerner started practicing martial arts in 1983, which led to a lifelong study of Chinese and Japanese language, religion, martial arts and medicine. After receiving an MA in Japanese Literature, he enrolled in the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Seattle, WA, graduating with an MTCM in 2001. He has been in private practice in the Seattle area since then.
Starting in 2006, he began an in-depth study of orthopedic conditions, sports medicine and traumatic injury with a number of outstanding teachers, beginning with Tom Bisio and Frank Butler’s Zhenggu Tuina system, and eventually including teachers of trigger point theory, various osteopathic techniques, and the sports medicine acupuncture program of Matt Callison. Josh is also an instructor and clinical supervisor at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, where he teaches tuina, qigong, trigger point theory, and the treatment of traumatic injury.
Samuel Lo D.O. L.Ac
I’m an Osteopathic manual practitioner with 20+ years of experience in both Eastern medicine and Western complementary therapies. My unique ‘East meets the West’ philosophy enables me to effectively help my patients with diverse and multi-faceted aspects of pain management.
In 1994, I was involved in a devastating bike accident that left me unable to walk.
Western physicians and “specialists” recommended I undergo surgery. Luckily, my mom insisted that we seek alternative healthcare options. She was recommended to Dr. Lim, a Chinese Medicine practitioner in Scarborough (suburb of Toronto).
Little did I know I would become her apprentice for the next 12 years.
Under Dr. Lim’s care, I was walking pain-free in just 4 weeks. And I knew that I had to learn the ins and outs of Chinese Medicine and its magnificent power to heal.
To further my formal knowledge and ability to heal, I attended the Michener Institute to learn acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. After my studies, I went directly to the source: China.
After returning I attended the Canadian College of Osteopathy.
Currently I practice using a mix of Chinese medicine and Osteopathy.
Paul Magarelli MD, Ph.D
Dr. Magarelli has a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry and is a Certified Specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is one of the first Western Medicine trained physicians to incorporate Traditional Chinese and Functional Integrative medicine into his IVF program.
He established the Institute for Sustained Health (iSH) as a way to help men, women and teens who are suffering from obesity, disruptions of the endocrine system or other metabolic problems.
The Institute’s mission is to treat insulin sensitivity and hormone issues as they relate to factors that lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, hypertension, diabetes, andropause, peri-menopause and menopause. They also focus on teen issues related to hirsutism, acne, weight and irregular menstrual cycles. The goal is to help the patient develop the tools they need to create health and maintain it; without the need for chronic pharmaceutical intervention.
Listen in and learn how to improve your metabolism and wellbeing by fighting fat with fat.
Havva Mahler L.Ac
Havva Mahler, originally from a small town in Massachusetts, now living in Sderot, Israel, is a practitioner of Chinese medicine, reflexology, and massage.
She studied at the East-West School of Classical Chinese Medicine, and has done advanced training in treating trauma and post trauma and in pregnancy and childbirth. She works in a private practice, at the Emuna Family Counseling Centre, Sderot and for the Maccabi Health Fund. Havva is a volunteer with Acupuncturists Without Borders and with Hands Of Light (volunteer treatments for ALS patients).
Michael Max L.Ac
Trained both in the USA and Asia, Michael Max practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Yong Kang Clinic in St. Louis, MO. He is a translator of non-mainstream materials on Chinese medicine, and writes extensively on health and wellbeing on his website and in his clinic’s monthly newsletter.
While many in the West have heard about acupuncture and associate it with being an effective treatment for pain relief. In fact, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can successfully treat a wide variety of ailments from allergies to migraines, anxiety to reflux, stress, depression ,fertility and women’s health and much more. He started the Everyday Acupuncture Podcast show as a way help us Westerners understand there are accessible and effective solutions to health challenges in life that do not require a pharmaceutical medication, but instead gently and naturally be coaxed from our body’s own innate ability to balance and heal.
Listen in as Margot and Michael muse on medicine and the innate potential we all have for wellbeing.
David Miller M.D. L.Ac
Dr. David W. Miller, MD, LAc is one of the only MD physicians in the U.S. dually board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Dr. Miller received his Bachelor’s degree in Theoretical Mathematics from Vassar College, his M.D. from the Brown University School of Medicine, and completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. He then completed his Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine with the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago.
Dr. Miller is currently in private practice with East-West Integrated Medicine, but is also an instructor at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago where he designed the school’s Integrative Pediatrics curriculum. At Pacific College, he has also designed and taught curriculum for the study of Integrative Endocrinology, Nephrology, Public Health, and Medical Communications.
Dr. Miller is also involved with organized medicine and medical legislation, and is the chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists, president of the Illinois Acupuncture Federation, Legislative Director for the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and sits on the Illinois Board of Acupuncture with Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He is a subject matter expert and chair of the Biomedical Examination Committee for the NCCAOM, and is a peer reviewer for Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society and the Chicago Medical Society as well, and sits on the ISMS Council on Education and Health Workforce. Dr. Miller also participates in the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
Jason Miller L.Ac
For the past 10 years, I have been focused on the management of cancer and chronic disease. When I finished my training in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2005, I began to work closely with Donald Yance, founder of the Mederi Foundation in Ashland, OR. Since then I have worked with hundreds of cancer patients, helping them find their way through the challenge of navigating the many choices and decisions that a cancer diagnosis brings.
As the disease of our time, cancer affects all of us. Even with all of our efforts to find a “cure” for this challenging disease, cancer occurrence rates continue to soar. My work bridges the time honored theory and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern biomedical therapies and diagnostic tools. Through what I call “layering the lenses”, I am able to integrate the best of both worlds, and give my patients a holistic perspective on their condition and how to treat it.
Craig Mitchell L.Ac, PhD
Craig Mitchell, Ph.D.(China), E.A.M.P., received a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco (1993). He then studied Chinese language and medicine in Taiwan for several years.
He has written numerous articles and translated several Chinese medical texts, including the classic of Chinese herbal medicine, “Shang Han Lun (On Cold Damage)”. Craig completed his PhD at the China Academy of Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China) in the summer of 2006.
Craig has been working at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine (SIOM) since 2002 and he is the current president of the Institute. At SIOM, he is a clinic supervisor and teaches classes on herbal medicine and medical Chinese. Craig also maintains a private practice in Seattle.
Jamee Pineda L.Ac
Jamee’s (he/him) Bio:
I am a queer, trans, Filipinx transplant from California practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine at Unicorn Pins & Potions. Although currently in Seattle, I will be relocating to Transformational Acupuncture in DC in April 2018. My introduction to acupuncture was as a patient at a community clinic. I did not have health insurance at the time and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of medicine being accessible to a wide range of people. It didn’t matter that I was in a room full of strangers trying this weird thing called acupuncture. A space had been made accessible for people to heal in community. That experience inspired me to go back to school and it continues to inform how I practice now because there are many communities who need more spaces to heal. I strive to create an accessible healing space using acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and body work with special consideration for the needs of queer and trans people of color. I love bringing creativity into the medicine and meeting people where they are at in their healing journey.
I love my work, but I also love my outside-of-work time. Just for fun I am learning hula, Tahitian dance, and Argentine tango. Despite being surrounded by outdoor adventure enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest, I am very much an indoor kid. Much of my leisure time this winter has been spent lounging with Primm the doberman and indulging in sci-fi/fantasy shows or books. N. K. Jemisin and Octavia Butler are my current favorites. If I get to choose my last meal, it’ll be biscuits and gravy.
Kathleen Poole L.Ac
Kathleen runs Mystic River Acupuncture in Groton, CT and finds her work deeply satisfying on many levels. She uses acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine to treat a wide variety of health concerns.
Her private practice and teaching give her opportunities to meet interesting people from all walks of life. Her sense of adventure has lead her to travel widely, both to share the methods of Chinese medicine in rural Africa, and to deepen her study in Mainland China. Kathleen is enthusiastic about her work and sees her relationships with her patients as a partnership with them.
Listen to her interview where we discuss what she keeps in her (Chinese) medicine cabinet.
Victoria Prozan
Victoria Prozan is a Creative Power Coach who helps break down the brick walls that keep us from expressing our fullest level of creativity and success.
With a background in photography, graphic design, screen printing, plus years as an entrepreneur, she’s traveled the many peaks and valleys that come along with self-expression and carving your own way in this world.
You find more about her and her work here: http://www.victoriaprozan.com
Ron Puhky M.D.
Ron Puhky MD studied with J.R. Worsley from 1975 to 2002, and is a certified teacher of his Five Element School. In 1976, he co-founded Canada’s first holistic health centre in Victoria, BC. He also studied extensively in China and is a Diplomate of the Academy of TCM in Beijing (1982). He was a long time advisor in acupuncture to the Province of British Columbia and co-wrote the acupuncture legislation for the province. In 1984 he co-founded the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, BC. He has been a visiting lecturer at the Medical Acupuncture Program at UCLA and is a Founding Member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and of the American Holistic Medical Association. Ron and his partner Dr Charles Moss, continue to teach their Five Element Acupuncture for Physicians Training Program, now in its 30th year.
More recently from 2007 to 2011, he worked at Canada’s largest integrative cancer center in Vancouver BC. From 2011-2013 he led its expansion into Victoria as the medical director. Ron currently practices integrative medicine, acupuncture and organic farming on Salt Spring Island BC, where he has lived with his family for 40 years.
Genzan Quennell
Genzan Quennell is a novice priest practicing at the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he is currently serving as Shuso. In addition to helping care for the temple, Genzan also assists with the Upaya Prison Project which brings meditation, yoga and dharma to incarcerated inmates throughout New Mexico.
Listen in and find out why Zen is more of a junkyard than a treasure house.
Adam ReinStein L.Ac
Adam Reinstein is currently a research acupuncturist working in the Emergency Department at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Adam studied acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, TX. Since then he has worked in a variety of settings including community clinics, nursing homes, home health care, and a hospital. Adam also traveled twice with Project Medishare to Port au-Prince, Haiti, where he provided hundreds of acupuncture treatments to patients and staff at the country’s only trauma hospital.
Whether as an acupuncturist, photographer, or hot air balloon pilot, Adam has always enjoyed exploring the relationship between man and nature.
Karla Renaud L.Ac
Karla Renaud is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in several states and is passionate about dermatology since she had severe eczema herself from infancy through adulthood, so she understands what patients are going through. After learning about Chinese medicine she was able to cure her own eczema. Now she helps patients with skin diseases from eczema to psoriasis to athlete’s foot to acne.
Karla’s background was in Chinese language and literature, before she earned her graduate degree in Chinese medicine. After starting to practice in 2002, she did post-graduate study with specialists on using Chinese herbal medicine to treat skin diseases, including Andy Ellis who formulated the Spring Wind herb product line and Mazin Al-Khafaji at Avicenna center in England.
She also studied facial rejuvenation or cosmetic acupuncture from 4 teachers with very different methods and has come up with her own way of treating the face to age gracefully.
Margot Rossi L.Ac
Over twenty years of clinical experience in traditional medicine and raising a family have proven to Margot that healthy lifestyle choices and basic skills in natural therapies enable each of us to be our own best physician. Through her private practice in Eastern medicine at the Celo Health Center in Burnsville, North Carolina, Margot offers patients empowering health information as well as her diverse skills in lifestyle and functional medicine.
Board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine since 1994, Margot began her study of Chinese medicine in Seattle, Washington. Then interned in botanical medicine at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in gynecology, dermatology, and gastroenterology.
For more information on Margot and her organization for championing community wellbeing through health education and integrative medicine, please go to her websites MargotRossi.com and Possibilities of Wellbeing.com.
Listen in as Margot and Michael muse on medicine and the innate potential we all have for wellbeing.
Rebekah Rotstein
Mats Sexton L.Ac
Mats Sexton, L.Ac. has been practicing Chinese Medicine since 1998 beginning his career with Shiatsu. In 2000 he completed his acupuncture studies and in 2005 he obtained a degree in massage therapy. Today he seamlessly blends these therapies into unique treatment sessions. Mats’s practice is focused largely on treating clients with degenerative eye diseases by using various unique micro-systems of acupuncture involving the hands and feet.
In addition to his clinical work, Mats likes to lecture about Chinese medicine and eye care and he has also taught at various acupuncture and bodywork schools in Minneapolis. He believes laughter is the best medicine (well, second to acupuncture) and he has written and co-starred in an acupuncture sitcom called The Pindoctor Show in which he accidentally reincarnates the founder of Chinese medicine.
Outside of the clinic Mats enjoys most outdoor activities, especially mountaineering, and he has successfully completed five of the “Seven Summits.”
Neal Sivula
Dr. Sivula received his DVM from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an Internship, Clinical Residency and PhD from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also certified in Animal Chiropractic from the College of Animal Chiropractors and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, in Veterinary Acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and in Veterinary Chinese Herbalism and Food Therapy from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
He also holds and advanced acupuncture certification from the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (Fellow of the AAVA). Dr. Sivula is a past board member of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, the College of Animal Chiropractors and the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) and is past President of the AAVA.
Dr. Sivula is the founder of Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center, an Integrative Veterinary Practice in Richfield Ohio. He is also is an Executive Editor of the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Chair of the Integrative Medicine Committee for the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and Chair of the Advanced Certification Committee of the AAVA.
Josephine Spilka
Josephine Spilka is a licensed acupuncturist, practicing since 1994 with a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Samra University in Los Angeles. Shortly after graduating she was introduced to the synthesis of classical teachings and the modern practice of Chinese medicine by Sharon Weizenbaum, then went on to study extensively with Jeffrey Yuen beginning in 1998. Currently, as the owner of http://www.essencepresence.com, Josephine teaches, mentors and consults in Chinese medicine and Buddhist meditation.
Additionally, as a faculty member of Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, North Carolina, she taught core curriculum courses utilizing classical systems such as Divergent Meridians, Luo Vessels and Eight Extraordinary Vessels as well as supervising students in the college clinic and conducting case review.
Combining deep study with practical application, Josephine aspires to share the benefits of putting the classical teachings into clinical practice with her students and other licensed professionals. In all that she does, Josephine is focused on investigating the relationship with essence in its many forms. Growing and innovating from her foundation in Chinese medicine, she teaches on essential oils and Chinese medicine, shares contemplative photography, and serves others in finding and mining their own essence.
With pith and passion, Josephine brings together many streams of teachings to offer an inspiring and practical application of ancient wisdom.
Lisa Taylor-Swanson Ph.D, L.Ac
Dr. Taylor-Swanson has practiced Traditional East Asian Medicine, providing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, since 2001. She completed an Honors Bachelor of Science at the University of Utah with a Psychology major and a Women’s Studies minor. After that, she completed a Master’s degree of Oriental Medicine at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine.
She has advanced post-graduate training in women’s health and male- and female-factor infertility. In addition to maintaining her clinical practice at Abundant Health in downtown Tacoma, WA, she recently completed a Ph.D. in Nursing Science at the University of Washington.
She’s working on several research projects related to complex and chronic illness, such as veterans experiencing Gulf War Illness and midlife women experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, pain, mood and cognitive changes as they transition through menopause.
Listen in to find out why double-blind studies are useless for understanding the emergent outcomes and nonspecific effects of acupuncture.
Bryan Wagner L.Ac
Bryan is co-owner of Community Acupuncture of St. Louis and is dedicated to the concept of sliding scale clinics, allowing working people access to high quality, affordable acupuncture.
Bryan continually aims to broaden and deepen his understanding of the many traditions of Oriental medicine. Complementing his work at the clinic, Bryan facilitates groups and individuals in “The Work” of Byron Katie, a simple process of questioning thoughts that frees the mind and reduces suffering.
Listen to his interview on how to reduce or eliminate your headaches without the use of drugs.
Brodie Welch L.Ac
Brodie Welch is a Chinese Medicine expert, Licensed Acupuncturist, self-care strategist, and teacher with certifications in qi gong and yoga. She empowers women to show up for themselves, tune in to their own inner wisdom, and tweak their daily habits so they can feel their best. She practices and teaches Chinese Medicine, yoga, meditation, qi gong, stress relief, and habit change in Corvallis, Oregon, leads retreats, and offers innovative learn-from-anywhere classes at http://www.brodiewelch.com.
To empower people with a simple, 20-minute moving meditation practice, Brodie offers Your Movement Multivitamin: 12 Treasures Qi Gong delivered to your inbox. She is also the creator of Calm Yourself: Self-care strategies for Stress and Anxiety, which provides bite-sized body-centered ways of dealing with stress (including acupressure, essential oils, breathing, body scanning, and qi gong), while probing the underlying reasons why it keeps showing up in their lives.
Courtney Wheaton
In 2008, at the age of 31, Courtney was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. At the time, she had served on Active Duty in the United States Air Force for 8 years. She was retired from service and sent out into the civilian world armed with her daily injections and a vague notion of what was happening to her body. Over the next 5 years she struggled with crippling chronic fatigue and intermittent MS flare ups which made day to day life a struggle and along the way she was further challenged with depression and feelings of hopelessness.
Disappointed with the limited treatment options available through traditional medicine, Courtney began exploring alternative treatments in order to reclaim her health. Her journey ranged far and wide and eventually, it led her to acupuncture. Through consistent treatment she has been able to combat her chronic fatigue and make radical dietary changes that have greatly improved her condition.
She is now off all of her MS medication and controlling her symptoms through diet and stress relieving techniques. When the weather is nice you will find her riding her horse Jake or out on her motorcycle, getting on with the business of living.
Listen in as she shares her journey, using her illness as her guide.
Samara White L.Ac
In addition to practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine Samara White also offers craniosacral sessions to adults, children and infants in Seattle, WA. Additionally, she teaches personalized yoga classes. She combines her love of music with a profound understanding of the body that has come from years of study both in yoga and craniosacral work to help her patients heal.
Along the way she discovered her story telling skills, when the challenge of a senior year project turned into a children’s book on acupuncture.
Listen to Samara’s story on how the storybook of Maya and Her Friends Visit the Acupuncturist came into being. And how it helps kids and parents to better understand acupuncture.