My Story
In the United States, most people interested in a medical career follow conventional Western medicine’s typical path. So, naturally, many people want to know why I chose to go into Oriental Medicine, a practice rooted in ancient healing techniques. The short answer is that Chinese medicine helped me through a difficult time in my life when Western Medicine failed. I became so excited about the healing potential of natural medicine that I made it my life’s work to help others in need of medical alternatives.
It all started when I was still a teenager. Through high school and into college, I suffered from severe acne. The doctors I saw treated me with heavy doses of antibiotics. While the medications were helpful, taking antibiotics for five years left me with a weakened immune system. This led to a whole array of health problems. In the beginning, I started having frequent sinus infections and was prescribed several different medications. Unfortunately, the new prescriptions came with some unpleasant side effects. The doctors’ answer was more pharmaceuticals. Like so many patients in the Western healthcare system, it seemed I was caught in a vicious cycle. Every medication I took led to me taking more drugs, with little hope from the doctors that I could ever get off this medical merry-go-round. I refused to accept that I’d have to take pharmaceuticals for the rest of my life.
Though I had overcome my acne, it wasn’t long before I had a frightening health experience. A few years had passed before I started experiencing symptoms of a severe illness. By then, I was battling extreme neurological fatigue and muscle weakness, which was quite uncharacteristic for this former collegiate athlete. Worst of all, I was overcome with bouts of vertigo, dizzy spells that made it seem like the world around me was spinning. In just a few years, I experienced over 50 different symptoms. I knew something was seriously wrong, yet my Western physician assured me I was healthy and suggested my problems may be “all in my head.”
Seeking an alternative opinion, I turned to Chinese medicine. While my Eastern physician could not offer an immediate explanation for my problems, he could tell I was sick by taking my pulse and looking at my tongue. Over time, receiving acupuncture treatments and following the nutritional advice of Chinese medicine helped me find relief and achieve long-term health.
As I continued my education and my personal journey of healing, I learned more about the limitations of Western medicine. For example, some modern diseases, such as the autoimmune disorders that plague so many people these days, were not experienced in the population until around the 1950s. And, to this day, Western medicine does not have much to offer for people suffering from autoimmune disorders. Eastern medicine, on the other hand, offers more through diagnostics, herbs, supplements, and diet.
Through a combination of academic study and first-hand personal experience, I have become a passionate advocate for natural medicine. But I also understand that the healthcare experience can be confusing and overwhelming for many patients. With so much information out there, how do you know what works? You could go to twenty different practitioners and get twenty different treatment strategies. Most advice begets modest results.
I have been through a lot. Through Chinese medicine, I discovered the source of my health problems, learned how to help my body heal itself, and how to build a stronger foundation for ongoing wellness.
If you are having symptoms, let me help you. I know what works and can save you time, money, and energy. I look forward to serving as your guide on your healing journey!
CREDENTIALS:
Lori has been studying and practicing Oriental Medicine since 2003.
Certifications:
- Florida Board of Acupuncture Certified – Licensed Acupuncturist (AP)
- California Acupuncture Board Certified – Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac)
- Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M. – NCCAOM)
Education:
- Pacific College of Health and Science – Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) – San Diego
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) – San Diego
- University of Missouri – Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Columbia
Internships:
- University of California San Diego (UCSD) – RIMAC Sports Training Center
- UCSD Downtown Clinic – San Diego
- AcuSport Health Center – San Diego
- Bob Doane at the Acupuncture & Wellness Center – Poulsbo, WA
- Jimmy Chang at Jian Tai Acupuncture Clinic – Los Angeles, CA
Additional Training:
- Distal Needling Acupuncture (DNA®)
- Medical Pulse Diagnosis (MPD™)
- Balance Method Acupuncture
- Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Acupuncture
- Five Element Acupuncture
- Guest Lecturer at Soka University – Aliso Viejo, California