M'illumino Natural Medicine - Sara Bowes, LAc

About

Acupuncture, Herbalism, Holistic Medicine

Story

Acupuncture, artfully crafted herbal formulas, tuina manual therapy, nutritional and wellness counseling, in an urban sanctuary.

Sara Bowes L.Ac, MSOM
Sara is a licensed acupuncturist and board certified herbalist in Portland, Oregon. Her interest in medicine and the human body dates back to childhood, but it wasn’t until she discovered Chinese medicine—and the art, science, and magic therein—that she realized she had found her life’s work. Sara graduated with highest honors from the school of Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, where her rigorous four-year education emphasized the preservation and revitalization of a truly authentic Chinese medicine. Such an approach aims to rediscover source texts and inquire into the meaning behind the symbolic nature of ourselves and the universe in which we live. Drawing deep from the roots of Chinese medicine provides a solid footing for a holistic and complete view of the patient, and from here, balance can be established.
Sara uses a variety of tools in her treatments. In addition to acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, and other techniques unique to Chinese medicine, Sara uses medicinal herbs as a key means to facilitating the return to balance. She has extensive training in classical Chinese herbalism, authored an acclaimed master’s thesis on the subject, and maintains a full pharmacy of bulk herbs at the Dragontree. Sara’s introduction to Chinese medicine was through the “Healing with Whole Foods” program at Heartwood Institute, and nutrition and general lifestyle counseling continue to comprise an important part of the medicine she practices. Additionally, Sara is trained in the Dragon Rises model of Chinese pulse diagnosis, which uses a comprehensive system of pulse reading to provide insight into an integrated physical, emotional, and psychological assessment of the patient. A rounded training in Asian bodywork—especially tuina, the manual therapy of Chinese medicine—greatly informs her diagnostic and treatment approaches. Sara maintains a committed martial arts practice (qigong and gongfu), which continually furthers her understanding for the body and the physical and energetic intricacies within, and in this way directly influences her medicine. Altogether, Sara’s toolbox allows her to account for and integrate physical, physiological, mental, emotional, and spiritual processes, ultimately creating a holistic assessment of the patient. With this type of an integrated approach, Sara treats a wide range of conditions, from those requiring just simple balance, to complex and stubborn disease.

Billing most major insurance, including MVA, PIP, Aetna, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, CIGNA, Lifewise, PacificSource, Providence, and more!