One River Medicine

My Journey

by Linnie O'Flanagan, Dipl.O.M., L.Ac.

I grew up in Washington State with a forest behind my house. During those early years, I loved gathering various plants and making up concoctions. My dad told me that China was directly on the other side of the planet, so I spent many days or weeks trying to dig my way there.

The path of my life was unfolding…

At the age of 13, after reading A Diet for a Small Planet, I became a vegetarian. This was the start of my interest in nutrition, and I have never wavered from the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. By this time the forest behind my house had been logged and replaced with townhouses, and I could relate at a visceral level to the news of the Amazon being deforested for grazing. During high school, with the help of a super hip physics teacher, I formed a food-buying co-op with some friends, so that we could buy healthier foods in bulk.

I went on to study nutrition at the University of Washington in the late 1970’s.

While in college, I waited tables at a Chinese restaurant in Seattle, called Kow Sing, which we lovingly referred to as Sow King, or not so lovingly, as Kow Dung. The owner, Mr. Lee, was an herbalist with a shop in Chinatown. Despite his frequent invitations to visit his shop, I never went. I wonder about that sometimes, but I hadn’t recognized my calling, yet.

I became interested in Chinese Medicine in the 1980’s when I read The Web That Has No Weaver, by Ted Kaptchuk.

By this time, I knew that the Western approach to health was not working for many people. This book opened my mind to different ways of seeing health and disease, and in the early 1990’s, I trained in Ayurveda with Candace Cantin. I was able to better manage a chronic disease from what I learned, but Ayurveda is incomplete in its present form, and...

I wanted to learn a traditional system that would show me life in richer hues.

Meanwhile, my love of dance and mindful movement merged with a commitment to preventative health, and I became a Certified Health & Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine. Later, I was hired to design and direct a wellness program for the employees of 120 schools in Northern California. In this program, we focused on early detection, lifestyle guidance, education on a wide range of health and safety topics, and referrals to services.

My interest in hands-on healing started early in life.

Over the years I trained in kinesiology, orthobionomy, and craniosacral therapy, and became a Certified Massage Therapist, with the goal of ultimately becoming an acupuncturist.

In 1997, I was finally able to attend the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, graduating with a Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the year 2000, and subsequently acquiring licenses in California, Hawai’i, and Oregon.

The 5 Branches of Chinese Medicine

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to promote health and wellness. Chinese herbal medicine is complex and highly refined. To maximize the benefits, I primarily provide custom formulations from our tincture pharmacy of 350 different herbs. We also have curated a line of 44 herbal teas for a home apothecary system. Acupuncturists are trained in pharmacology, and continuing education courses are offered on known herb-drug interactions. Be sure to keep your practitioner up-to-date on all medications and supplements you are taking.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles to stimulate specific points on the body, helping to restore balance and promote healing. Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, stress, digestive disorders, hormone imbalance, anxiety, colds, flu, respiratory conditions, addiction, post-stroke, chronic inflammation, and much more.

Medical qi gong

Qi gong means energy skill/work. Medical qi gong is specifically focused on achieving and maintaining well-being in oneself and others. External qi gong is a relaxing and deeply healing modality that I use in my practice. Internal qi gong is an ancient form of exercise, breathing, and meditation used for thousands of years to improve organ function and to address specific health concerns. These simple, yet powerful exercises improve mobility and balance, immune function, mental clarity, and emotional health. Info on classes, workshops, and private lessons: Meridians in Motion

Dietary Therapy

Chinese Medicine recognizes that a healthy diet is first and foremost in the maintenance of good health. Foods are used as medicine, selected based on their properties and actions on the organ systems, in the same way as herbs. Because of my background in nutritional science, I incorporate both Western and Eastern views.

Tui Na

Tui Na is massage therapy based in Chinese medical theory, using a wide variety of techniques, including acupressure and meridian work. I also incorporate craniosacral therapy and myofascial release

Additional Modalities

cupping

Moxibustion

cupping

Cupping is a therapeutic technique that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This helps to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation. Cupping can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including muscle pain, respiratory issues, and anxiety.

gua Sha

Moxibustion

cupping

Gua sha is a scraping technique using a a variety of smooth tools to break-up stagnation and increase blood flow to an area, reducing inflammation, improving mobility, and alleviating muscle pain. It is most commonly performed on the back, buttocks, arms, and legs. A gentle version of it is used on the face and neck.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a technique that involves burning a small amount of mugwort near specific acupuncture points on the body. This helps to stimulate circulation, reduce pain, and promote healing. Moxibustion can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, menstrual cramps, and digestive issues.