About Us
Mara and Sean met at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, OR. They have been learning and practicing Chinese Medicine together for 9 years. Mara's interest in Acupuncture began during her modern dance career and anatomy & physiology studies. Sean was drawn to Chinese Medicine by his passion for herbal medicine and botany studies. Drawing on their unique perspectives and strengths, they continue to learn from each other, always striving to refine their practice. When they aren't in the clinic, they can be found paddling on the river, exploring the backcountry, or relaxing at home in the garden.
Sean Dugan LAc, MAOM
Chinese Herbal Medicine & Orthopedic Acupuncture
Sean was introduced to Chinese medicine at a young age, beginning with Qigong training at age 12. He was inspired to study Chinese medicine because of the profound ways acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Qigong impacted his health and that of his family. Sean began studying herbal medicine after spending time at a wilderness survival program in high school, and later met his first acupuncturist and herbalist mentor at 18. That mentorship inspired him to go on to formal education in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
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Sean grew up in a community deeply avoidant of modern medicine. He observed both the problems resulting from avoiding it, and the areas where it didn't offer good solutions. He was exposed to many folk and alternative medicines with purist natural philosophies that lacked effective tools. In Chinese medicine he found a system of medicine that is complex, sophisticated, effective, and systematically developed through a long history of observational science and experimentation. It is an excellent complement to modern medicine, and it bridges an important gap in our healthcare system by providing effective solutions for many of the non-life threatening conditions that reduce our quality of life, as well as for maintaining and improving health.
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Sean’s healing philosophy focuses on optimizing health, prevention and early treatment of disease, and using the best tool for the job at hand. Sometimes the best tool is acupuncture, sometimes it is Chinese herbal medicine, and sometimes it is surgery, medication, or chemotherapy, etc. Pragmatism is a central value to Chinese medicine: use what works, discard what doesn’t. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are excellent tools for optimizing health and for preventing illness and injury.
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Sean practices internal medicine with Chinese herbal medicine, and orthopedic acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. He helps patients with a wide variety of health conditions using Chinese herbal medicine. His herbal medicine practice is focused on internal conditions with particular emphasis in women's health, digestive health, and respiratory conditions. His orthopedic acupuncture practice is focused on treating musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, and tension to improve mobility and functional movement.
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Sean is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate of Oriental Medicine with the NCCAOM. He holds a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.
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Mara Bateman LAc, MAOM
Acupuncture & Shiatsu Massage
Please Note: At this time, Mara is only seeing patients at the St. Luke's Cancer Institute
Mara has always been intrigued and amazed by the capabilities of the human body and mind. She brings a joy, creativity, and intuitive understanding of the body into her practice as an acupuncturist and bodyworker. With each treatment she strives to create an interaction that is comfortable, healing, and very human. She feels that every individual should have the care and support they deserve.
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Mara is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate of Oriental Medicine with the NCCAOM. She holds a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, OR where she studied acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition, and Tuina and Zen Shiatsu Massage.
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Mara uses a variety of acupuncture styles including Master Tung’s Magic Points, the Balance Method, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, and orthopedic sports medicine acupuncture. She also offers Zen Shiatsu massage sessions as well as cupping and gua sha therapy. For more about Zen Shiatsu, see our Services page.
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