Lisa Pool L.Ac, Reiki Master, LMT of Blue Sky Acupuncture, LLC
1. What brought you to Portland?
I actually came here to be with the love of my life in 2001. We have
been married for almost 3 years and just had our first baby - Lucas -
in October of last year. We ended up staying in Portland because of
OCOM, which I didn't realize was here until after I moved here. Funny
how life is sometimes! I have decided to stay because it is a great
area and most of our family lives in the area.
2. Why did you decide to become an LAc?
In 1996 I had suffered a repetitive motion injury that left me unable to
move my neck and was in chronic debilitating pain. I come from a Western
medicine family background and so when I finally decided to seek
medical attention, I went to my MD first. The pain pills prescribed
either make me violently ill or just did not work at all - usually
both. So at the encouragement of my then co-workers, I sought out a
chiropractor. My first visit with her reduced my pain from a 9/10 to a
3/10 and I could move my head from side to side. This first visit to
an alternative care practitioner changed my view of health care for the
rest of my life. She took the time to talk with me, to assess my work
and life habits contributing to my injury and to educate me on how to
do self-care at home. As part of my healing process she encouraged me
to understand what was happening in my body and to connect to it.
Part of this healing journey included her encouragement/insistence that
I finally try that "crazy" thing called Acupuncture. I had always
wanted to experience Acupuncture, but I was very nervous. The
Acupuncturist also took the time to explain to me what she was doing
and why. She was patient and kind and really listened to my story. On
one of my visits with her, she told me that while she is not in the
practice of telling people what to do with their lives - she felt I
wasn't entirely on the right path. She told me that she felt that I
wasn't allowing myself to follow in the path I was meant to be on -
which was why I was experiencing so many health problems. (I was very
ill at the time with many health issues, not just my neck injury).
She suggested I consider becoming a health practitioner, not just a
health educator (which is what I was doing at the time).
To say this conversation changed my life, is an understatement. When she suggested
that some of my illness could be a result of my limiting my own
potential, I cried because in my heart I knew it was true. I had never
had a conversation like this in my life and I really felt that for the
first time someone finally believed in my potential to help others. It
took another 2-3 years of having conversations with myself before I
believed that I was smart enough to become a healer. In that time I
had moved to Portland and then decided to start looking at various
medical school options and lo and behold - there was OCOM! I let my
instincts guide my decisions and followed the flow of what I now think
of as Qi and applied to OCOM without any knowledge of Chinese Medicine,
other than from the perspective of a patient. In fact, it didn't
really hit home that we were going to learn about Chinese herbology
until say, the second week of class - bit of a shock to the system when
my Shen (mind/soul) finally realized where the Qi had taken me. I
think it is rather funny that Chinese herbology has become my primary
love and focus in my private practice. Ultimately, when I came to OCOM
and started to learn this medicine, I found an inner peace and
understanding that I had been craving my entire life and I continue to
be inspired by this medicine everyday.
3. Tell me about your practice
I am located in the community of Milwaukie, Oregon and I love this area
and the community! I have been working with a wide variety of health
issues to date and while I don't feel that I have a specialty, most of
my patients are dealing with pain, endocrine system issues (PCOS,
Diabetes, etc), cardiovascular health (high blood pressure, high cholesterol),
sexual function/infertility, immunity, weight management and
mental/emotional issues. Generally speaking I tend to have a gentle
and quick acupuncture technique and incorporate different styles of
acupuncture like Tan, TCM and Japanese. While 90% of my patients take
Chinese herbs, it is certainly not a requirement to have a treatment
with me. What I love about my physical space is that it is comfortable
and relaxing and best of all, my patients don't have to climb any
stairs!
4. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?
I have always been curious about the health of our bodies and minds since
I was a child. I was also inspired by my mother who studied to become
a RN in my teens and is now an Oncology nurse. Yet, when it came time
to decide what to do with my life I was greatly confused. I wanted to
help people, but something about the Western medical philosophy and
medical model just didn't work for me. As I mentioned above, I didn't
know there were other options and so I ended up having a triple major
in Environmental Studies, Music and Sociology and started a peer sexual
health education program on my college campus. When I received my
undergraduate degree, I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my
life, so I followed my heart and began a career in sexual health
education. I love working with people from varying backgrounds and
experiences and this career allowed me to do just that. While this was
a very rewarding time in my life, I still felt like I was missing
something. When my injury led me to my first chiropractor and
acupuncturist, I knew my life would never be the same. And it hasn't
been - which is a really good thing! I am a happier, healthier and
more full-filled person as a result! Now my passion comes from wanting
to help other people along their healing journey (as I have been
helped) and I feel like I have the experience, knowledge and know-how
to do just that.
5. Any advice for patients?
There is rarely one finite answer to health related concerns. While it will
take work on the part of the practitioner to find the proper diagnosis
and treatment, it is ultimately up to you to follow-through on the
treatment plan given to you and the lifestyle changes that may be
recommended. It is important to ask questions, trust your instincts
and utilize all the different medical modalities that our community has
to offer, which includes, but is not limited to: Acupuncturists (LAC);
Chiropractors (DC); Naturopaths (ND); Medical Doctors (MD); Massage
Therapists (LMT); and more. Believe in your ability to improve your
quality of life and to live a happier and more full-filled life!
6. What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why?
I have a few dietary restrictions, so this is a hard one. When I want to
eat something good and play by the food sensitivity rules - I love the
New Seasons Wok bar. If I am going to break the rules a bit I love
Beau Thai in NW Portland, Pastini on Division, Schvonne's on Division.
Good food, locally owned businesses and great people!
Oliver Leonetti, LAc of
One of the first posts on this blog featured a favorite clinic of mine- 
With summer finally coming to Portland, and all of the amazing 
