Licensed Acupuncturist
Janene Mitchell is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with more than 23 years of experience behind her. She graduated from Yo San University in Los Angeles at the top of her class in 2001, then practiced there specializing in women’s health, pregnancy care and infertility until 2016 when she came to Portland.
In 2009 Janene completed specialty training in infertility, for men and women, to become a board certified fellow of ABORM (The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine). She’s worked with hundreds of couples helping them realize their dream of creating a family, whether they were trying to conceive on their own or going through often times challenging western medical treatments under the care of a reproductive endocrinologist.
Treating infertility requires a comprehensive approach because so many different parts of us need to be addressed. Issues with digestion, sleep, anxiety, mood swings, an overactive immune response, etc. all impact our fertility as well as our overall health. Regaining balance helps regulate hormones, since it is our nervous system that conducts that particular dance. Acupuncture is calming and strengthening, it helps us reset. Moving too fast for too long exhausts our reserves. When we become run down our hormones go out of balance, and we can begin to experience PMS, perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms. These can all respond well to acupuncture and herbal support.
Along with women’s health issues Janene is helping patients resolve chronic pain conditions and digestive problems, handle stress, and heal well after surgeries or accidents. She also enjoys supporting women during pregnancy and recovering postpartum, addressing any lingering issues like epidural pain or urinary incontinence. Weekly acupuncture treatments beginning around week 36 have been shown to shorten labor, even for first time moms. Many discomforts can be alleviated safely with acupuncture – from sinus congestion to ankle swelling and, of course, hip and back pain.
Earlier in life Janene graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Clarinet Performance, an Associate Degree in Drama, and spent countless hours in San Francisco and LA dance studios – training in ballet, jazz, modern and tap, with a bit of flamenco and tango thrown in. All that movement led to studies in Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Chi Nei Tsang energetic bodywork. Which then led her to acupuncture…