Martin Kidwell, DAOM, LAc
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine,
Licensed Acupuncturist
I have practiced acupuncture for over two decades, have been a full-time faculty member at two Chinese medicine colleges, and served as Dean of Graduate Studies at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. I currently supervise clinical students at National University of Natural Medicine.
I love learning from my patients and accompanying them on their healing journey. I know what it’s like to deal with the stress of serious illness and chronic pain, and I try to bring that understanding and empathy to every patient encounter I have.
Education
I received a BA in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Meiji College of Oriental Medicine in 1998. After almost a decade in practice, I decided to pursue a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, which was awarded in 2010.
“I know what it’s like to deal with the stress of serious illness and chronic pain, and I try to bring that understanding and empathy to every patient encounter I have.”
Dr. Martin Kidwell
“I know what it’s like to deal with the stress of serious illness and chronic pain, and I try to bring that understanding and empathy to every patient encounter I have.”
Dr. Martin Kidwell
What I Treat
My doctoral studies at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine focused on two areas of specialization – women’s health and aging adults – and the various conditions that affect these populations.
I am trained to integrate Chinese medical and Western medical concepts and clinical skills and apply them to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of a variety of conditions.
I’ve treated many conditions over the years. At this time, I focus my practice on the treatment of:
- Pain (headaches, low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, chronic pain, sports injuries, traumatic injuries)
- Digestive Issues (IBS, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn/acid reflux, abdominal bloating/gas/distention)
- Mental/Emotional Health Concerns (stress, support for anxiety and depression, insomnia)
- Women’s Health Concerns
- Menstrual disorders (PMS/PMDD, dysmenorrhea or painful periods, irregular periods, heavy periods, amenorrhea)
- Perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia)
- Long COVID and Post-COVID Symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, headaches, depression or anxiety)
My Approach to Healthcare: Integrative Medicine
I am an acupuncturist and an herbalist, a practitioner of Chinese medicine, the oldest form of continuously practiced medicine in the world.
I also live in the 21st century, appreciate good science and research, and am alive today because of the amazing advances in modern Western medicine.
I came to Chinese medicine after being diagnosed with a painful and life-threatening health condition in my 20s. I’m grateful to report that through a combination of Western medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbs, chiropractic, and massage, this condition no longer threatens my life.
As a result of my experience, I am a big believer in integrative medicine, the principle of working with providers of other forms of medicine as necessary to provide the best care for my patients.
When it comes to medicine, too many people get caught up in ideology: Western medicine is evil, Chinese medicine is good. Or vice versa.
I have no interest in that.
Good medicine, in my opinion, is about what is best for the patient. Acupuncture, herbs, and the other therapies of Chinese medicine are good at treating many conditions. In many cases, Chinese medicine may be all a person needs to get better.
But Chinese medicine is not magic, and in some cases a patient may need to see another type of practitioner – be it a chiropractor, massage therapist, neurologist, or orthopedic surgeon – for further evaluation or treatment.
A willingness to work with providers of other forms of medicine is one of the hallmarks of integrative medicine, and is standard practice in my clinic.
What My Patients Say
My Promise To You
As a licensed acupuncturist and Diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), I take an oath to uphold the following principles:
- Respect the rights, privacy and dignity of my patients and maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
- Treat within my lawful scope of my practice and training and only if I am able to safely, competently and effectively do so.
- Allow my patients to fully participate in decisions related to their healthcare by documenting and keeping them informed of my treatments and outcomes.
- Accept and treat those seeking my services in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner.
- Render the highest quality of care and make timely referrals to other health care professionals as may be appropriate.
- Continue to advance my knowledge through education, training and collaboration with my colleagues to maintain excellence and high ethical standards in our profession.
- Support my medicine’s access to all people and its growth in the broad spectrum of U.S. health care.
- Assist in the professional development and advancement of my colleagues.
- Participate in activities that contribute to the betterment of my community.
