About John Blank and Mia Neuse

We (John Blank, L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M, and Mia Neuse, L.Ac., M.A.O.M) first started to look for a place to practice together in the Montavilla neighborhood in late 2006. John had been working in a clinic in SW Portland, while Mia was practicing further east near SE 122nd and SE Stark. We both wanted a “mixed” clinic—one that offered both community acupuncture and private treatments. John had a long history of working in a community acupuncture setting, while for Mia it would represent a new opportunity. We wanted to work in the community in which we live, and fortunately, the commercial district of Montavilla had a wonderful space available in a portion of the former Dickson’s Pharmacy.

Please read John’s bio and Mia’s bio to learn about us and our experience in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

John Blank, L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M.

I’ve been a licensed acupuncturist since 1991, earning a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1994. For the next 15 years, I worked as a public health acupuncturist in high-volume clinics in Multnomah and Washington County. In these settings I had the opportunity to treat a very wide variety of conditions; perhaps more so than a typical acupuncturist in private practice. Having given over 70,000 treatments to address everything from headaches to hepatitis, I think I have earned the tile of “general practitioner” acupuncturist.

However, I have a special interest in using acupuncture for pain management. I’ve treated almost every kind of pain—both acute and chronic—from back pain to menstrual cramps, stomachache, chest pain, diabetic neuropathies, headaches, sports injuries, dental pain, and surgical recovery. After all the treatments I’ve given, I’m still amazed at how a well-placed acupuncture needle can make a pain vanish almost instantaneously.

In acupuncture school, I learned traditional Chinese acupuncture styles and herbal medicine. In addition I’ve learned and use a wide variety of acupuncture styles, including the I Ching-based styles of Dr. Tan and Dr. Chen, Soo Jok (Korean) hand acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and ear acupuncture. As a long-time clinical supervisor at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM), I have tried to pass my experience in these styles on to my students.

Because I’ve always felt that acupuncture treatments were unaffordable for the average person with an average income, I was excited to team up with my colleague, Mia Neuse, to form Montavilla Community Acupuncture in February of 2008. Our goal is to make this incredible form of medicine accessible and affordable to folks in our local community.

Mia Neuse, L.Ac., M.A.O.M

I first became interested in shiatsu and Chinese medicine in the early 90s when an injury I had didn't respond to conventional Western medicine. I was living in Japan at the time, so while there I studied shiatsu, Japanese acupressure massage, with a Master practitioner. Both shiatsu and Chinese medicine have the same roots and are based on the same principles of “qi,” or vital energy, and meridians, the channels of “qi” throughout the body. I decided to return to the US to study acupuncture and Chinese medicine and received my Master's in Oriental Medicine (M.A.O.M) from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

My continued interest in Chinese medicine stems from a desire to offer a safe and effective form of medicine. Having experienced the remarkable effects of Chinese medicine both as recipient and practitioner, I am constantly impressed by its ability to facilitate healing. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, whether over the counter or prescription, it doesn't “add” anything to a person's system; yet people get better from a wide variety of complaints, ranging from low back pain to insomnia and headaches. Moreover, instead of having the adverse effects that many medications do, it often has positive side effects that improve a person's overall health and well being.

In my career, I have given numerous talks on Chinese medicine in Oregon at various senior communities, including Courtyard Plaza, Heights at Columbia Knoll, Summerplace, and others. In fact, last fall I had the honor of presenting at the Oregon Geriatric Society's annual conference sponsored by OHSU at Sunriver. I was the only non-allopathic presenter at the conference. I have also presented as part of New Season's Wellness Classes, an educational series that focuses on well being by living a healthy life.

I live in the Montavilla neighborhood with my husband, a blacksmith who owns Kartmazov Knives and Kitchenware, and my daughter. We can often be seen around the neighborhood walking our dog, riding our bikes, visiting the Farmer's Market, or playing in the park.