In today’s confusing and challenging times, it more important than ever to take a moment to assess what is really important to each of us and those around us. In his adult life, it has become clear to Joel that health and wellbeing top the list.  Driven by a love of nature, science and a desire to create a better world, Joel pursued and received a degree in Biology from UC Santa Cruz and followed with a teaching degree from Santa Cruz State University.  During his time as a high school science teacher he was encouraged by his physician to study and practice Qigong to mitigate the stresses of his work.

The study and practice of Qigong had a profound effect on his health, psychology and awareness.  This also introduced him to the paradigm of Chinese medicine, which galvanized a decision to change career paths.  Joel continued his study of Chinese medicine at Five Branches University receiving a Master’s degree with an emphasis in Sports Medicine and a National Diplomat of Oriental Medicine.   

Joel’s background in western science and eastern medicine has led him to an integrated and collaborative approach to helping his patients achieve their health goals.  Over the past 15 years he has had an opportunity to work closely with yoga instructors, naturopathic physicians, physical therapists, massage therapists and nurses, all of which has increased his knowledge of what these other modalities have to offer and how best to collaborate for his patient’s optimal healing. 

Joel has come to specialize in Orthopedic and Sports Acupuncture.  This approach incorporates orthopedic assessments and an anatomical focused technique without compromising the paradigms of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  During his career he has had experience working with elite athletes, injured workers, car accident victims, chronic pain sufferers as well as people at the end of life.  This experience has led him to an understanding of what specific techniques lead to the fastest recovery and improvement in quality of life for his patients. 

Joel prides himself on listening to his patients and meeting them where they are as this can hold the key to better, swift improvements. He believes in the healing potential of all of his patients and helps guide them so they can become “their own best doctor”. 

When Joel is not in the clinic you can find him enjoying time with his family or in the mountains biking, hiking, snowboarding, paddle boarding or on the coast surfing, tide pooling or building sand castles. 

Deciding to end my 15-year career as an English as a Second Language teacher in Wisconsin and around the world to become a natural health practitioner was a long, interesting journey. The idea first came to mind when I was 28-years old, battling Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Upon diagnosis, I was told I would never run again and that the disease could leave me permanently disabled. I was prescribed methotrexate, a type of chemotherapy medication, indefinitely. Rather than continuing down this toxic path, I chose a different route. After much research and experimentation, I was able to put my disease into permanent remission under the direction of the world-renowned Dr. Joseph Mercola using food as medicine. 

Not only did I beat the disease, I became healthier than ever before and a better athlete. After two months of beginning my diet, my pain began to diminish. Within one year, I returned to training and won my first triathlon. In two years, all traces of the disease were gone and never returned.

Beating RA was one of the most empowering accomplishments of my life and inspired me to help others. My passion for natural health continued to grow. A decade later, I was introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine while teaching in Brazil for treatment of a sports injury. I was amazed to discover that as well as alleviating my pain, acupuncture had a great effect on my entire body. I slept better, felt better, and had more energy. Even my immune system grew stronger. I found acupuncture so effective, I began recommending it to colleagues and friends, two who proclaim it changed their lives. 

At this pivotal point, I decided to sacrifice my teaching career and pursue a Master of Oriental Medicine with certifications in acupuncture and herbology from Miami, Florida. My passion in this field led me to further my education and I later achieved a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with a specialization in Integrative Health from Pacific College of Health Science. 

Throughout my career, I have dedicated my time to expanding my skills and education. I also hold certifications in clinical nutrition, massage therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and am currently enrolled in a functional medicine certification program. Combining my skills, education, and experience, I have developed a unique multi-modality approach to address the physical, emotional and psychological needs of my patients. I work to help my patients uncover and treat the root of illness and ultimately obtain optimal health. Utilizing food as medicine continues to be my greatest passion and my personal belief in the foundation of health. Autoimmune conditions and musculoskeletal pain are my primary specialties, but I treat a wide range of conditions. 

It is my mission to inspire, educate, and empower and help others heal naturally as I have healed myself. I am honored to serve my patients and will forever learn and grow to be the best practitioner I can be.

Dr. Sarah Allen is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Oregon. She speaks English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. When she is not working you may find her pursuing her love for travel, adventure, and being active in the great outdoors. 

Dr. Lori Carroll is a chiropractor in Bend, committed to providing gentle, effective, and compassionate chiropractic care to her patients. She enjoys working with families, children, and all types of athletes. Whether you have a work or sport related injury, are interested in sports performance enhancement, or would like to improve your overall health, Dr. Carroll will work with you to achieve your goals.

Dr. Carroll earned her Chiropractic Doctorate degree from the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon following completion of her undergraduate degree in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon. She has gained broad clinical experience as a chiropractor practicing internationally, first taking a position in Thailand where she had the privilege of treating a wide range of patients and conditions. Eventually making the move to Australia, she joined a sports med team in tropical North Queensland where she learned first hand what a huge impact the combination of chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation can make in her patient’s lives.

Dr. Carroll assesses the body as a whole for optimal diagnosis and treatment. As a chiropractor, she utilizes a thorough postural, soft tissue, and biomechanical assessment to formulate an individualized treatment plan for every patient. By treating both the soft tissue, joint alignment, and giving specific instruction on exercises and lifestyle modifications she works with her patients to get long lasting results. She primarily uses diversified adjustments for manipulation of the spine and extremities. Dr. Carroll also uses more gentle Activator and ArthroStim tools as needed for specific situations and for those patients who don’t like the sound commonly associated with a traditional adjustment.

Dr. Carroll is a certified Active Release Techniques (ART®) practitioner and was a member of the ART® team at the 2010 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She is also a certified provider of Graston Technique. Both ART® and Graston Technique are used to safely and conservatively treat scar tissue and fascial adhesions through detection and break down of scar tissue fibrosis. She is also Advanced Rocktape certified and uses functional kinesiotaping methods as another tool to support the recovery process and enhance performance. She has provided medical care at numerous sporting events, both locally and internationally.

In her spare time, Dr. Carroll enjoys working on her personal yoga and meditation journey, trail running, mountain biking, backpacking, nature photography, and creating delicious and healthy meals for her friends and family. She is grateful to find herself living in Oregon once again with the opportunity to serve the Central Oregon community.

“As a native Oregonian, I know that when you live in Central Oregon, it’s all about leading an active lifestyle. I strongly believe that leading an active life, complemented by healthy eating, is the key to maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. I’m passionate about helping people achieve their individual health goals and get back to enjoying the activities they love in the unique and beautiful playground we live in. As a certified Hatha yoga teacher, I love to incorporate yoga into the rehab regimen for my patients. Yoga’s ability to stretch, strengthen, and balance the physical body while calming the nervous system and quieting the mind makes it the perfect complement to chiropractic treatment for overall health and wellness.”

Dr. Aislinn Cassels-Hyde began her studies at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where she studied Biology, Chemistry and Musical Theater. She then went on to receive her D.C from Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida Campus where she focused on structural correction techniques such as Pettibon, CBP and scoliosis correction. Structural correction goes a step beyond pain relief and injury care. It focuses on the overall shape of the spine, and uses a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, traction and exercises to reshape the spine into its optimum positioning. By removing the interferences from the body, be they physical, chemical or emotional, the brain is able to send messages efficiently through the nerves to the body, telling it how to function and heal properly. Dr. Aislinn is passionate about treating a wide variety of patients, from the very young, to professional athletes, to the very old, and everyone in between, always customizing care to the individual and their needs and goals.

Dr. Aislinn is very fitness and health oriented and has a great respect for and love of science. She spent many years a dancer, primarily ballet, but also studied Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, African and Swing dancing. She spent 5 years as a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and is also an avid yoga enthusiast. This diverse history makes her very cognizant of the ways the body can be weak or strong, and consequently how it may become injured. It is her belief that injury can often be avoided with proper understanding of anatomy, proper technique and preventative treatment. These are the things she sincerely hopes to be able to provide to her patients

When not in the office, Dr. Aislinn spends much of her time outdoors, enjoying all that beautiful central Oregon has to offer. She loves and misses the beaches of Florida but has found a new love of the mountains and all the skiing, biking, hiking and other activities they bring to her door.

Dr. Aislinn is an Oregon licensed Chiropractic Physician and is looking forward to all she can do to help.