John G. Connor, M.Ac., L.Ac. & Barbara Connor, M.Ac., L.Ac.
About John G. Connor, M.Ac., L.Ac. and Barbara Connor, M.Ac., L.Ac.
We are both licensed acupuncturists in the State of North Carolina. We received our Master of Acupuncture degrees in 1996 from Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Seattle, Washington where we were trained extensively in both Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. We spent an additional three years taking intensive workshops and studying closely on a post graduate level with Gail Ptacek, L.Ac., an experienced and highly skilled craniosacral acupuncturist who was trained by Dan Bensky, a well-known osteopath acupuncturist. We have completed over 100 hours of continuing education in craniosacral acupuncture. We are both Diplomates of Acupuncture certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. We have both taken Upledger Institute’s CranioSacral Therapy I workshop as well as Upledger Institute’s Visceral Manipulation 1A, 1B and II workshops. We are both members of the Society for Acupuncture Research. We have been in practice for over thirteen years.
In our last year of acupuncture school we were involved in a car accident. I was suffering from the pains of this accident which included some severe heel pain. I received extensive body work including acupuncture, chiropractic and various massage therapies trying to relieve the pains from this accident. Each of these modalities helped somewhat, but I was still plagued by severe heel pain and other lesser, but nagging pains. It was suggested that I go to a cranio-sacral acupuncturist in Seattle who was a protégé of a famous osteopath acupuncturist. I was amazed to discover that through feeling the craniosacral system this particular acupuncturist could feel the restrictions of my body and found that the accident had caused a right kidney restriction. Through the combination of craniosacral work and acupuncture she was able to completely get rid of my heel pain within three or four sessions. This, of course, sparked John's and my interest in integrating these two modalities.
Since then we have added a third healing modality into our work —hara visceral work — which combines the healing power of Japanese hara diagnosis and treatment with visceral manipulation. Hara visceral work, which integrates the gentle techniques of organ-specific fascial mobilization, is a wonderful complement to the acupuncture fascial energetics work of craniosacral acupuncture. We have taken the Upledger Institute's Visceral Manipulation IA, IB and II workshops to enhance our palpatory skills in this area.
Through the unique combination of these three healing modalities restrictions anywhere in the body from the energetic and fascial layers to the organ level can be detected and removed. Removing these blockages helps the body to move as optimally as possible thereby affecting total health in a positive way — not only physically — but mentally and emotionally as well.
We also employ and continue to study evidence-based herbal and nutritional medicine; and we find that by integrating botanicals and nutrients with the other three modalities above we are able to reinforce, support and enhance the process whereby the individual achieves optimal health.
We are both students and practitioners of Donald Yance's Eclectic Triphasic Medical System (ETMS). In the words of Donald Yance: "To enhance response rather than dictate functionality is a fundamental core concept of the Eclectic Triphasic Medical System. The ETMS emphasizes the practice of "healthy medicine", which is aimed at the root source of ill-health, with the primary focus being to bring about harmony and balance throughout the body. When approaching a disease such as cancer, it is important to formulate a balanced protocol that addresses both the characteristics of the disease (tumor) as well as the energetic weaknesses of the individual (host)."
John and I have been working closely with Donald Yance since March 2009 as practitioners of the Integrative Healthcare Consulting Program he has established and we find it has helped our patients immensely. We recently completed the Level One Professional Clinical Training program from April 26 - May 1, 2010 and the Level Two Advanced Clinical Applications of the Eclectic Triphasic System in Cancer Therapies from September 27 - October 2, 2010 with Donnie in Ashland, Oregon. Please refer to our Integrative Oncology Consultations article to find out more about how we work with cancer.
We love to sing together. We love to cook— and we have a very healthy and nutritionally based approach to food. John and I enjoy researching, writing articles and giving talks on health and healing. We both enjoy yoga, qi gong, cycling and walking. We are both licensed acupuncturists and have been in practice for over fourteen years.
We are located at 4501 Valley Forge Rd., Durham, NC 27705. You may email us or phone us at (919) 309-7753 if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment.
John & I get excellent results treating the following conditions using acupuncture along with craniosacral therapy, hara visceral work, evidence-based herbal and nutritional medicine.
• Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nerve Disorders such as arthritis, migraine headaches, balance disorders, low back, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, tennis elbow, facial and mandibular problems, whiplash injuries, after-treatment of accidents and sciatica.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders such as food allergies, peptic ulcers, constipation, chronic diarrhea, indigestion, anorexia, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, and influenza.
• Urogenital Disorders including incontinence, urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction.
• Gynecological Disorders such as irregular, heavy or painful menstruation, uterine fibroids, menopausal symptoms, morning sickness, infertility in women (and men) and PMS.
• Respiratory Disorders including the common cold, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis.
• Circulatory Disorders such as hypertension, stroke rehabilitation, angina pectoris & arteriosclerosis.
• Emotional Disorders including stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness and insomnia.
• Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders such as tinnitus, toothache and sore throat.
• Cravings and Addictions such as substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), smoking and eating disorders.
• Miscellaneous Disorders: such as lowered immunity, inflammatory disorders, painful peripheral neuropathy and other painful conditions, and Raynaud's Syndrome.
• Chronic Debilitating Disorders: supportive therapy for cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• To find out more about the many conditions treatable by acupuncture we invite you to browse the database we have compiled on Research on the Health Benefits of Acupuncture.
• To find out about the many conditions treatable by herbal medicine and nutritional supplements we invite you to browse the database we are in the process of compiling on Research on the Health Benefits of Herbs and Supplements.
