Jim Stegenga, L.Ac., has a passion for helping people improve their health.
Since 1984, Jim Stegenga has devoted himself to the study of both East Asian and Western healing traditions, in order to find the fastest and most effective ways to help his patients realize a better quality of life. Over the years he’s worked with a variety of chronic and acute health issues, such as musculo-skeletal pain, headaches, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, PMS, menstrual pain, allergies, and too many other conditions to mention.
Prior to his studies in East Asian Medicine, Jim attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he graduated with honors in 1982. His focus at Berkeley was pre-med studies, and even though he decided not to go to conventional medical school he still has a great respect for science and the scientific method. In fact, he makes a point of keeping up with some of the latest developments in epigenetics, where science is coming to understand how changes in the cellular environment can change gene expression. There is a growing body of evidence that acupuncture and related therapies can promote health in just this way.
Jim Stegenga began his journey into Asian Medicine in 1983, with the intensive study of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and meditation. The daily practice of these arts healed his chronic back pain and led to an increased sense of well-being. The great personal benefits of daily Tai Chi and meditation practice led him to decide not to go to conventional medical school, and instead he chose to study Asian Medicine.
He began his studies at the Acupressure Institute of Berkeley in 1984, and then entered Acupuncture College in 1985. He completed his training at the San Francisco College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1987. After graduating, he continued his studies in Taiwan and Japan, and when he returned to Berkeley in 1989 he entered into private practice.
Beginning in 1990, he also served as a clinical instructor at the San Francisco College of Acupuncture. Here he supervised students during their clinical training, and often saw over 20 patients during a single 4 hour shift. (Even though it is common to see many patients an hour in China, this is not necessarily ideal. Jim found that he wanted to provide more personal attention to his patients, and currently works with only one or two people an hour.)
The San Francisco Bay area is beautiful, but very congested, and in 1991 it felt like time to move to a smaller town. So Jim headed up to the beautiful South Puget Sound area, and began practicing in Olympia, WA. In addition to his private practice, Jim spent 5 years working 1 day a week providing acupuncture for patients in an Integrative Care setting with Providence Western Washington Oncology. (It’s so nice to see East Asian and Western Medicine working together for the patient’s benefit.)
Over the years, Jim Stegenga has continued to add to his knowledge of Asian Medicine. Learning how to be a better acupuncturist is actually one of his favorite things to do! Acupuncture and related therapies have undergone a very fruitful cross-pollination with western orthopedics , neurology, and sports medicine over the last 30 years, and this has made the practice of acupuncture both more effective and more rewarding.
The treatment of emotional and mental suffering is also an area of great interest. Post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, addictions and other issues can be addressed quite effectively with acupuncture and meridian-based therapies such as EFT. Personally, Jim has been meditating since the mid 1980’s, and has also used tapping therapies (such as EFT) and The Work of Byron Katie for his own well-being and in his practice.
When not working, Jim enjoys spending time with his family and friends, listening to music, goofing around on his guitar, and continuing to explore the “big questions” through regular meditation and retreats.
If you are ready to take control of your health and your life once and for all, then call our clinic today at (360) 943-0306 so we can discuss your healthcare needs and set up your first appointment. We are never too busy to help you!