About

Hi, this is a brief bio of me (Dean Johnson) – some of my background and some of the techniques I use in my practice.

Me:

I was born in 1947 in New York, grew up in Minnesota and Wisconsin and graduated high school in Rice Lake Wisconsin in 1965.

Started college briefly and then went into the Air Force for three and a half years including Vietnam.

Continued my education at the University of Minnesota studying Engineering and Pre-Med.  Dropped the Pre-Med and continued to get a BS and later an MS in Electrical Engineering.

Moved to Oregon in 1979 to work for Hewlett Packard in Corvallis.  Later co-founded an electronic company in Corvallis.

In 1989 I decided to go back into medicine.  Since alternative medicine held more interest for me, the choice was between Naturopathy or Chinese Medicine.  My impressions of the schools available lead me to Chinese Medicine.

So, I graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 1992 and started my practice in Corvallis as the Acupuncture Clinic of Corvallis.

I have practiced somewhat within western medicine as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and as a hospice acupuncturist.

I combine my scientific background with my insatiable curiosity to seek out safe and effective therapies and bring them to my patients.

My Techniques:

First off, I use the Chinese Medical model as my foundational understanding – when in doubt about how to treat, this is what I use.  Chinese Medicine is a very long-lived medical system based on nature and whole health.  A much better model for health when treating chronic and systemic problems.  The western mechanical model is mainly useful for acute and emergency medicine.

Acupuncture:

This is one of my key tools.  I use more the Chinese style – a little more stimulation – usually gets rid of pain quicker.  If it is too much for you, let me know – I can always go lighter.

Electro-acupuncture:

A must for muscular-skeletal problems and trigger point problems.  I use it a lot.

Qigong:

Qigong is the heart of Chinese Medicine.  It consists of mind/body exercises – usually slow moving exercises done while in the meditative state.  After people do these exercises, they are more in touch with their bodies and make better life style choices.  The mind/body disconnect is becoming an ever more recognised cause of disease.  I teach these exercises in regular classes.  http://www.qi.org/

Nutritional Therapy:

I have studied nutritional therapy extensively – finding the deficiency and supplying the need.  A huge part of what I do.  It allows me to address the underlying causes of many problems.  http://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/

NST (Neurostructural Integration Technique):

This is a wonderful, non-needle technique for integrating the nerves and muscles.  I often add this technique to the acupuncture treatment to speed up the healing process.  It can be used separately for those that don’t like needles.  http://www.nsthealth.com/

Kaufman Technique:

I have studied the Kaufman technique – a series of techniques developed by Dr Kaufman.  I have been quite impressed with results with some people.  There are some great techniques that help people where other techniques have not – like vertigo, joint pain, trigger point pain, neck pain, ROM (range of motion) pain.  Some results have been amazing.  http://www.kaufmantechnique.com/

Applied Kinesiology:

I have studied this quite a lot.  They have many fine insights into how the body works and how to fix it.  I don’t use many of the techniques directly in clinic, but the training has helped shape a lot of how I view health.  http://www.icak.com/

PMT (Precision Meridian Therapy):

This is a neat technique for checking and balancing the energy of the body.  Especially useful for upper and mid back pain. http://www.pmt-seminars.org/

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique):

The emotional component of disease (often referred to as stress) is recognised as a big factor in health.  I often teach my patients EFT.  It is a simple practice of self-counseling.  You tap on various acupuncture points while saying a phrase related to your issue.  Very effective and very inexpensive – you do it in the privacy of your own home.  The Mercola style. http://www.emofree.com/  http://www.mercola.com/

NET (Neuro Emotional Technique):

This is an advanced emotional technique using energy/muscle testing to help get at deep emotional traumas and help release them. http://www.netmindbody.com/

Other Energy Techniques:

I have studied many forms of qigong healing.  I prefer teaching qigong as opposed to using it as a treatment.  More recently I have been incorporating more energy forms of healing into my practice and I expect that to continue.  Besides the qigong, PMT, applied kinesiology and NET, I also use Mikesell Technique.