ABOUT COLLEEN

I began studying acupuncture at Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City in 2006 and started my own practice three years later. In 2011, my husband and I moved back to Minneapolis to open Four Gates to offer a wide range of therapeutic services. In my studies at Tri-State, we spent the majority of our clinical studies focusing on treating pain conditions. Treating pain has always been central to my practice. Each acupuncture treatment can be approached in an infinite number of ways. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is discovering which styles and approaches allow each patient to not only feel the best short-term results, but also experience profound shifts that support a sustained state of thriving health. Working in Chinese Medicine, I’m extremely passionate about sharing the wealth of information it provides around maintaining health and wellness with others. Simple changes to our lifestyle can make a world of difference in how we feel. 

Read on if you’re interested in the long version of my relationship with Chinese Medicine…

When I was young, I remember my Dad telling me about the acupuncture treatments he received to help him quit smoking. I remember how fascinated he was with the experience, grateful and excited that it worked, and amazed at how good he felt. My Dad was an anxious person- the state of relaxation the treatments offered probably blew his mind! His acupuncturist was Edith Davis, one of the pioneers to bring the art to Minneapolis.

I chose to begin my own relationship with Chinese Medicine when I was in my late teens and I bought the Tao Te Ching while shopping at the infamous Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. Several years later my now-husband introduced me to the I Ching oracle. It was part of my morning ritual for years, and still is what we refer to as the oracle that keeps it real and lets you know quite clearly when you need to humble yourself. A few years later, I began to study Chinese Nutritional theory via the book that still stands as a core resource for me today– Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford. At the time I worked from home and had the time and space to learn how to correctly cook grains and legumes and prepare the vegetables and protein that corresponded with my constitution and the season. 



During this epoch I also tried acupuncture. When I complained of persistent asthma my best friend sent me to her acupuncturist, Jill Larsen. Jill treated me, eliminated my symptoms, and deeply impacted me with her presence. I still vividly remember how it felt to have her in the room with me: curious, knowing what she knew and so aware of all she did not know. My same best friend also taught me how healing happens through our presence. I believe this to be true given my clear memory of Jill’s treatments, as well as those I’ve received from many other beloved healers. 



There was a moment during 2006 when I had the time and space to consider what I wanted to study, what I wanted to choose as my livelihood. I quickly came to understand that I wanted to study and practice acupuncture. My Dad’s experience, Jill, the I Ching oracle, the years of studying and learning nutritional theory through experience, and all the little nudges toward the path of my Tao that I can’t remember in all brought me to this understanding. The answer of acupuncture came quickly and looking back over the decades, I clearly see that I was headed towards this vocation. 



I graduated from Tri-State College of Acupuncture where I studied and trained in multiple styles of acupuncture, with a focus on Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) and a Japanese style developed by Kiiko Matsumoto. Based on original work by Janet Travel, Acupuncture Physical Medicine was developed by Dr. Mark Seem over 40 years ago and incorporates dry needling techniques to release myofascial trigger points found in the body. This approach is incredibly effective for treating pain. Kiiko Matsumoto's style is a modern style of traditional Japanese acupuncture that she developed over the past 35 years. It has its roots in classical theories and texts, as well as in her studies with several Japanese acupuncture masters. In this style, a palpation sequence is followed in which specific active reflexes suggest the underlying imbalance, and point selection and location is based on changes in these same reflexes.

Although Five Element acupuncture was not a core course of study at Tri-State, we were also instructed by Lorie Dechar, who introduced me to how this addresses Qi blockages on the psycho-spiritual level. To this day, Lorie continues to be the most influential teacher of Chinese Medicine that I have been blessed to learn from. In my experience it is rare to find a teacher who has developed her level of intuitive capacity, energetic sensitivity, and theoretical knowledge. She is generous with all she has learned and acquired and has created a style of acupuncture and healing called Alchemical Acupuncture. I recommend studying with her, and you no longer need to be an acupuncturist to do so! Check out her website to find out more about what most inspires me around acupuncture and healing. Mentorship from Lorie over the past seven years has refined my practice to be what it is today: a place where I can work with acupuncture points to eliminate blockages, while empowering patients to tend their health and vitality through sharing knowledge from the framework of Chinese Medicine. I truly look forward to sharing it with you.