My introduction to Acupuncture came in 1987, following a referral by a gynecologist.  I had been suffering from chronic insomnia, recurring and severe depressions, and other gynecological problems. This referral and subsequent treatment led to what felt like miraculous changes in my personal health. After that initial experience, I  sought out Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for the answers to most any health concern I had: from fatigue to digestive difficulties to torn muscles and carpal tunnel pain. It has always helped me return to health quickly and completely.

These experiences eventually led me to learning everything I could about this ancient medicine, including returning to school to earn my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM), then traveling to China to immerse myself in Chinese Medicine’s history, culture and practice.

I am Nationally Board Certified as a Diplomate in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).  I earned my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This four-year program included 1873 actual classroom hours and 1030 clinical hours.  The degree includes training in acupuncture, auriculotherapy, moxibustion, cupping, tuina, Chinese herbology, electrical stimulation and nutritional therapy.

I earned three advanced certificates during my additional studies in Beijing, China, in 2004 and 2005.  Two of these were awarded by the Beijing International Acupuncture Training Centre for programs in Acupuncture and Moxibustion as well as Chinese Herbal Medicine.  A third was awarded by Guang’An Men Hospital for in-hospital training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  My time at the hospital included seeing 70-90 patients per day in a Weight Loss department, as well as studies in the Dermatology and Gynecology Departments.

During my MSOM degree, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by Dr. Xiaolu Luo, DOM.  Among his other accomplishments, Dr. Luo is a Specialist in treating Rheumatic Arthritis, and a pioneer in teaching Cosmetic Acupuncture.  In addition to practicing TCM, Dr. Luo spent many years at Tianjin University researching Cosmetic Acupuncture procedures and herbal combinations, evaluating their effectiveness. I am greatly indebted to him for his willingness to share his vast knowledge with me.

I continued my extensive training with Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, Virginia Doran and Ping Zhang, and am certified as a Facial Rejuvenation specialist.

I have been a student of Dr. Richard Tan since 2006, and use his Balance Method as a preferred method for treating pain.  During this time, I have also been a student of Dr. Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang, a master of Chinese Pulse Diagnosis as well as one of the finest herbalists in the U.S. and Taiwan.  I continue my study with Dr. Chang, but have branched out to include additional teachers. In 2011, I began my study an even more intricate pulse diagnosis system (Shen-Hammer) with Lonny Jarrett, Will Morris, and Ross Rosen.  The pulse offers a true window into the overall condition of our body-mind-spirit, and I am so grateful to all my teachers for their efforts to impart these minute details of correctly diagnosing and treating each individual person. Other significant teachers and influences include Heiner Fruehauf, Randine Lewis, Debra Betts,  Jane Lyttleton, Dagmar Ehling, Ray Rubio,  Brandon Horn, Yaron Seidman, Jeffrey Yuen, Daniel Weber (AUS), Greg Lee (Lyme Disease), and Lonny Jarrett.  More recent teachers are Dr. Ed Neal, Lillian Bridges, Yvonne Farrell, Laura Ehrlich and Sharon Weizenbaum. I earn approximately 200-250 continuing education credit hours each year.

I am a current member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the Acupuncture Association of Colorado, the American Acupuncture Council and am certified as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) by the state of Colorado.

I am also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), as well as the American Pregnancy Association.

I am certified to administer homeopathic (Traumeel, Zeel, Lymphomyosot, MADE, etc.) and vitamin injection shots, including preservative-free B-12, B-6, glutathione, etc.  I do not offer HCG injections.

When not working, studying or doing research, I can be found cycling or snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking or trail-running with my dog Elwood, or otherwise enjoying the spectacular Rocky Mountains I am blessed to call my backyard.

RIP, sweet boy.  10/15/2014