Hello, my name is Ryan Barber. I was born in Lingit Aani (Southeast Alaska) to a family of mixed, British and Lhaq’temish, ancestry.
I am a 2023 graduate of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist. I am very grateful to be continuing my Chinese Medicine journey with Scott Paglia. I’ve been his patient. I’ve seen this medicine work for me and for others.
During school I interned at Providence Cancer Center and Quest Center for Integrative Medicine. It was such a joy to see my patients becoming themselves again with more comfort, better movement, and more mental clarity. It was very affirming to be a part of that change.
In addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine I specialize in guasha*. Which is particularly useful for improving range of motion and eliminating Musculo-skeletal pain.
Prior to beginning Chinese Medicine I was a teacher and my approach to medicine is similar. I believe the goal of a good teacher is to become unnecessary. When a teacher teaches well the students become capable of learning on their own. They don’t need the teacher anymore.
A good Chinese Medicine practitioner should aim to do something similar getting their patient on track and healthy so that they no longer need care. This takes time and dedicated effort on the part of both the patient and the practitioner but it’s an achievable, rewarding goal.
When I’m not treating patients, I’m spending time with my partner Holly and our cat Franklin. I train taijiquan every day and have since 1998. As much as possible I enjoy spending time out on the land.
*Guasha is a manual therapy using a salve, a smooth-edged tool, and repeated press-stroking to extravasate the blood near the body’s surface.
Treatment Techniques
Styles of Acupuncture
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