Kirsten utilizes diverse approaches to address your health and wellness goals. A diplomat of Oriental Medicine, board certified herbalist and licensed acupuncturist, she graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, where she received training in east asian herbalism, bodywork, acupuncture, nutrition, western biomedicine and Qi Gong exercises to improve health, strength and flexibility. As an apprentice in the art of Jin Shou Tuina, a lineage of manual medicine maintained through the North American Tang Shou Tao, she is well equipped to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints, including trauma of all varieties. She completed advanced coursework in Shiatsu (a Japanese style of bodywork) and Japanese Acupuncture, which are gentle methods for activating the body’s innate healing potential.

Kirsten comes to the treatment room with personal experience of East Asian medicine’s power to heal both internal and external conditions. As a young ski racer, she injured her low back. A year of physical therapy later, she was told she would just have to get used to being in pain for the rest of her life. A practitioner recommended yoga. After nearly 10 years of regular yoga practice, she found Qi Gong, a type of moving meditation rooted in Chinese Medicine. Qi Gong lead to a Masters in Oriental Medicine, which lead to Gong Fu. Gong Fu lead her to the trauma medicine embedded in the wisdom of traditional martial arts. Her body has never felt better.

Kirsten utilizes diverse approaches to address your health and wellness goals. A diplomat of Orie... Read More

Read More

Read More

Katherine Annala, DAOM, LAc

Katherine Annala is an acupuncturist who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style acupuncture and is experienced and facile with cupping, gua sha, moxibustion and Chinese medicine massage techniques as well as Chinese herbal medicine. Patients report that Katherine is calm, a good listener, a gentle needler, and caring provider.

Dr. Katherine Annala received her masters degree in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine in 2012 from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) and her doctoral degree from OCOM in 2022. Her focus of study in the doctoral program was aging adults and Women’s health. Katherine also has experience treating underserved populations with substance use disorder and mental health challenges. She received a Coalition of Community Health Clinics “Community Health Superstar” award in 2019 for her work at the Outside In Integrative medicine clinic. In addition to being a clinical supervisor at OCOM, she taught the Case Management class and was the Associate Dean of Clinical Education at OCOM until its closure in August 2024.

Katherine specializes in treating patients with complex issues such as autoimmune diseases, gastro-intestinal disorders, chronic pain patterns, and patients undergoing cancer treatments. She also enjoys helping patients with their fertility journey and would like to help any patient suffering from insomnia or whose stress levels impact their health.

Katherine Annala is a Portland native who enjoys foraging for mushrooms with her husband and snuggling with her two cats.

Katherine Annala, DAOM, LAc Katherine Annala is an acupuncturist who practices Traditional Chine... Read More