DAWN-STARR CROWTHER, L.Ac., L.M.T.

Read Dawn-Starr's Blog

Dawn-Starr Crowther, L.Ac., L.M.T., founder and owner of Jade River Healing Arts Center, graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2003, from the East-West College of the Healing Arts in 2000, and practices in Oregon as both a Licensed Acupuncturist and Licensed Massage Therapist.

In 1992, Dawn-Starr was diagnosed with a serious "incurable" illness. Desiring options other than the limited ones offered by conventional medicine, she sought treatment through Complementary Medicine. When Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Qi Gong turned her life around by providing healing, she knew she had to "pay it forward," by studying, and then practicing, Oriental Medicine. Her medical practice is informed by her deep commitment to - and personal knowledge of - the radical transformation and healing this medicine can offer.

Dawn-Starr views her practice as a creative collaboration between patient and provider, and believes that health challenges - especially serious ones - provide opportunities for deep transformational healing, saying:

"There is nothing more meaningful than simply being present with people who are in pain or suffering, and then acting with compassion and skill to help foster the re-emergence of health and balance for them."

In addition to Acupuncture, Massage (including Esalen-style Massage, Tuina, and Swedish) and Oriental Herbal Medicine, she utilizes modalities such as Moxibustion, Cupping, Diet Therapy, Nutritional Supplements, Guided Imagery, Meditation, Breath Work, Qi-Gong, and Aromatherapy to assist her patients in achieving vibrant health.

Areas of specialization in her practice include the following:

Women's Health Care, including menstrual disorders, such as painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids, cycle irregularities, PMS, migraine headache, bloating, and digestive upset; fertility enhancement and regulation; birthing/labor support; and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and mood changes.

Acute pain, such as that occurring after auto accidents or trauma, and especially treating men and women with a history of previous injury, severe trauma and/or multiple health issues.

Chronic pain and illness, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, auto-immune disorders, allergies, digestive problems, and mild to moderate depression. She especially enjoys working with patients who have complicated health issues and helping them re-establish health, balance and a positive outlook.

Additionally, she has a specialty in Post-Trauma Recovery, serving with compassion those who have survived physical, mental or emotional trauma. She works in this regard with patients and their other providers, coordinating treatment plans and strategies with their therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, primary health providers and others in the patient's health care team.

She also offers classes and individual instruction in meditation, guided imagery, and stress control/relief.

She has had a life-long interest in medicine and healing, and as an undergraduate was a dual pre-med and anthropology major at the University of Utah. Her first career as an archaeologist inspired her passion and respect for other cultures' medicines and lifeways. To further pursue her fascination with the human-altered environment, she completed a Master of Fine Arts degree, and taught fine art photography at several institutions, including Arizona State University, College of the Atlantic, and the Oregon College of Art and Craft. For the past 20 years, her artwork has focused on gardens and plants, and how they enrich our lives and environments, including the use of plant materials as medicine. She has also volunteered for many years in various healthcare settings, including hospice work, prison work, and in women's reproductive care in low-cost or free clinics.

A dedicated student of Tibetan Buddhism and meditation for more than 15 years, she enjoys yoga, Tai Qi, Qi Gong, snorkeling and scuba diving, and taking long walks with her Labrador Retriever, Grace. She is also a passionate gardener, and continues her photographic work and exhibits her art nationally and internationally.

To reach Dawn-Starr to schedule an appointment, or to ask questions about her services, please call 503.422.7455 or contact her.

What patients have to say about Dawn-Starr:

• Oriental Medicine has been nothing short of a miracle in my life.  After years of suffering from severe PMS and endometriosis symptoms, I have finally found the light at the end of the tunnel.  I decided to try Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine after Western medicine failed to help me.  I am so grateful to you as my practitioner, as you have healed what I considered to be incurable pain.  Your warmth, compassion, and excellent skill make you an invaluable healer.  -S.B.H.

• A friend recommended Dawn-Starr to me when I was physically at my lowest, and completely frustrated with my regular doctors.  I have found Dawn-Starr to be extremely knowledgeable, professional, and persistent.  She is a warm and caring practitioner who spends quality time getting to know each individual.  Dawn-Starr has helped me to heal not only physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  Every time I come in for an appointment, I feel like I am at home.  She has created a comfort zone for those of us who need to focus on our own healing.  I highly recommend Dawn-Starr to everyone.  -K.J.

• I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you from the very depths of my heart and soul for helping me with your healing ways.  I thank the goddess and the forces of the universe that has allowed us to come together.  You are a great and wonderful blessing to me as well as so many others that you share your gifts with.  It makes me so relieved and happy that with your help I can overcome my times of depression as well as further the growth of my spiritual self.  Thank you so very much!  I look forward to always seeing you again!  -T.R.

• We are so happy that we had your amazing assistance at our birth.  Thank you so much for helping us in so many ways.  We are eternally grateful.  -J.H. & A.M.

• I truly feel my life has improved significantly because of you and the work you are doing with me.  I sincerely thank you and look forward to our next appointment.  -J.O.

• I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for the awesome experience I have had with your treatment in acupuncture.  Every treatment is as thorough as the first one and I appreciate that!  I feel blessed to continue treatment, but also to see your practice grow and prosper!  May you continue to grow and prosper, and may I continue to learn and become healthier.  -I.G.

• I just wanted to let you know that I am thankful to have known you.  You helped me so much!  -A.O.

• You are truly a gift in my life.  I'm so grateful to have found you!  -S.K

• I appreciate your many gifts and look forward to more healing by your hands in the future.  -R.W.

• Thank you for all you have done for me-physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually.   You are certainly one of God's special workers and great at it. -S.D.

• Thank you so much for everything you have done for me over the past several months.  You have truly made a profound difference in my overall health & well being.  I look forward to each visit with you!  -A.F.

• A thousand thanks for how you have helped my family!  -J.B.

• Thank you for all you have done for me throughout the year.  It is such a treasure to know you and visit with you.  You truly are a very wonderful person!  -M.R.

• Thank you so much for all you have done for me.  You have a gift to mend and heal and I will always be grateful.   -K.J.

• I appreciate the blessing you have been in my life.  -B.W

• Thank you for helping us to attain and maintain good health. - K., R., & E. W.

• Thank you for working with me and connecting with me in such a healing way.  -J.O.