About Becca Seitz, MAcOM, LAc,
Owner of Thrive Acupuncture, LLC
My Philosophy
In our culture, we're taught that our bodies fail us. Parts can be replaced. We can take a pill for the rest of our lives to cover up this or that symptom. But is that health? I enjoy working with people to remind their bodies what it means to be healthy. I want you to experience true health with minimal interference. I want you to THRIVE! Are you ready?
My Path to Chinese Medicine
I was a non-believer. The active ingredient in acupuncture MUST have been the placebo effect. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the placebo effect, the mind is our most powerful healer, but surely that was the only thing powering acupuncture.
Then I started having horrible eye "dryness." I could no longer wear contacts because they were so dryly uncomfortable. So I started wearing glasses again (which I wasn't particularly happy with) and this helped for a while, but within a couple months the dryness came back, even without the contacts. For those of you who do or have worn contacts, it was similar to the feeling you have when you have slept with your contacts in. They're dry, they're sticking to your eyeballs and you can't WAIT to get those suckers out!
The ophthalmologist checked the amount of tears that I was creating. I tear more than the average person, so that wasn't the problem. When he looked at my eyes more closely, he found little bumps on the surfaces of my eyes that happen with allergies. We tried every eye drop known to mankind. Prescription, over the counter, under the counter, around the counter, you name it, I tried it. Nothing was helping longer than 5 minutes! I couldn't stand to keep my eyes open because they would feel like they were drying out, and I couldn't stand to keep them closed because it felt like there was sand in my eyes. I was left squinting and rubbing my eyes constantly.
The only suggestion from the poor doctor who had tried everything he knew of to help was that I take Benadryl everyday for the allergies. While in theory this was a great idea, in practice, not so much. I was working 20 hours a week while going to college for my undergraduate degree. I couldn't stay awake through any of my classes!
In comes acupuncture. I was desperate! There was an acupuncturist who shared an office with my chiropractor, and at this point, I was willing to try ANYTHING, even if it was just placebo! Within 2 weeks I was finally able to stop squinting, but still wasn't completely comfortable. Within a month I was feeling 100% again! How's THAT for a placebo effect? For a while I still had to see her every month or two for a tune up, but I was completely better, and now I haven't had any symptoms for about 5 years.
During one of my acupuncture visits, we talked about school and my plans to become a veterinarian. When she said, "Don't forget acupuncture for animals!" it hit me hard. Duh! I needed to use acupuncture to help animals regain their health! I needed to learn this medicine that had helped me so much!
Along the way my plans have changed a little. I didn't attend veterinary school, I attended acupuncture school instead. Through school I learned to treat humans, through my vet I learned how to use this medicine on pets.
Then I started having horrible eye "dryness." I could no longer wear contacts because they were so dryly uncomfortable. So I started wearing glasses again (which I wasn't particularly happy with) and this helped for a while, but within a couple months the dryness came back, even without the contacts. For those of you who do or have worn contacts, it was similar to the feeling you have when you have slept with your contacts in. They're dry, they're sticking to your eyeballs and you can't WAIT to get those suckers out!
The ophthalmologist checked the amount of tears that I was creating. I tear more than the average person, so that wasn't the problem. When he looked at my eyes more closely, he found little bumps on the surfaces of my eyes that happen with allergies. We tried every eye drop known to mankind. Prescription, over the counter, under the counter, around the counter, you name it, I tried it. Nothing was helping longer than 5 minutes! I couldn't stand to keep my eyes open because they would feel like they were drying out, and I couldn't stand to keep them closed because it felt like there was sand in my eyes. I was left squinting and rubbing my eyes constantly.
The only suggestion from the poor doctor who had tried everything he knew of to help was that I take Benadryl everyday for the allergies. While in theory this was a great idea, in practice, not so much. I was working 20 hours a week while going to college for my undergraduate degree. I couldn't stay awake through any of my classes!
In comes acupuncture. I was desperate! There was an acupuncturist who shared an office with my chiropractor, and at this point, I was willing to try ANYTHING, even if it was just placebo! Within 2 weeks I was finally able to stop squinting, but still wasn't completely comfortable. Within a month I was feeling 100% again! How's THAT for a placebo effect? For a while I still had to see her every month or two for a tune up, but I was completely better, and now I haven't had any symptoms for about 5 years.
During one of my acupuncture visits, we talked about school and my plans to become a veterinarian. When she said, "Don't forget acupuncture for animals!" it hit me hard. Duh! I needed to use acupuncture to help animals regain their health! I needed to learn this medicine that had helped me so much!
Along the way my plans have changed a little. I didn't attend veterinary school, I attended acupuncture school instead. Through school I learned to treat humans, through my vet I learned how to use this medicine on pets.
Treating Pets with Chinese Medicine
I have a special love for pets. I have volunteered at the Oregon Humane Society since I was 12 years old and while in college, I worked there for five years as well as two different veterinary offices in order to gain valuable experience working with animals. During all of these years working with animals, I found that I was, indeed, on the right path to helping animals to health using Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
I feel very fortunate to be able to treat ALL members of the family!
I feel very fortunate to be able to treat ALL members of the family!
Education
- The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine - 2006 - Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Portland State University - 2003 - Bachelor's Degree in Organismal Biology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Certifications and Licensures
- Board certified with the NCCAOM in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Licensed with the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
Continued Education
- May 2010 - An Integrative Approach to the Treatment of PTSD - Fujio McPherson, ARNP, MAc, LAc
- June 2009 - Exploring the Shen and the Sham of AOM Research - Richard Hammerschlag, PhD
- May 2008 - Conscious Conception - Misha Ruth Cohen, LAc
- May 2008 - Menopausal Syndrome and Chinese Medicine - Misha Ruth Cohen, LAc
- February 2008 - Palpation Based Acupuncture - Eric Stephens, DAOM, LAc
- January 2008 - Chinese Medicine for Kids - Alex Tiberi, LAc
- June 2007 - Treating Pain and Sports Injuries: A Practical 12-Step Approach - Whitfield Reaves, LAc
- April 2007 - Pain Management with Acupuncture: Tendino-muscular Meridian Treatment of Pain - Kevin March, LAc
- April 2007 - Pain Management with Acupuncture: Clinical Connections of Points, Joints and Muscles to Treat Pain Effectively - Marvin Finkelstein, LAc
- April 2007 - Pain Treatment with Channel Theory and Distal Points - Cole Magbanua, LAc
- April 2007 - Pain Management: The View From the Present - Rick Marinelli, ND, MAcOM
- April 2007 - Chinese Shamanic Shaking QiGong - Master Zhongxian Wu
- April 2007 - Turtle Longevity QiGong - Roger Lore, DAOM, LAc
- April 2007 - Advancing Pain Management in Oregon - Oregon Department of Human Services
Becca Seitz, MAcOM, LAc - Acupuncture in NE Portland, Oregon
Serving Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, and Gresham areas.
Serving Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, and Gresham areas.