I have been involved in the practice and teaching of cranial osteopathy for over 30 years. My medical career started with graduation from the University of Michigan Medical School, followed by a residency and becoming board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Osteopathy came into my life just before I entered medical school when I first met my great mentor, Rollin E. Becker, DO, who from the start was a great inspiration to me. Because of this meeting with Dr. Becker, I went through my medical school studies knowing that osteopathy would be a part of my professional life.
Early in my practice years, I worked in a rehabilitation hospital while I also deepened my osteopathic studies and began my first private practice of osteopathic medicine in 1983. I was greatly influenced by my osteopathic mentors: Rollin Becker, Anne Wales, Edgar Miller, and the faculty of the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation. In 1986 I began teaching cranial osteopathy and have been privileged to be able to teach post-graduate courses across the US and abroad ever since.
A Letter to My Patients
April 13, 2021
It has been a long year since I stopped seeing patients in person. I have been well and now that I am vaccinated, I am beginning to see a limited number of patients. I am writing to let you know where things stand with my practice and how you can be in touch with me.
MY PRACTICE: As for my practice, I do not yet have a clear schedule or plan in place. Prior to the pandemic I had tapered my hours and was working just three half-days a week. Now, after a year off and with my husband moving further along towards full retirement, I am not yet sure what kind of schedule I will maintain—though I do plan to see patients for some years to come.
*** If you are having long-haul COVID symptoms, osteopathy can be helpful, and I will prioritize seeing you. The same is true if you have any particularly difficult or prolonged reaction to the vaccine.
SCHEDULING: For now, due to the irregular nature of my schedule, I am doing my own scheduling. If you wish to schedule an appointment, request a formal telehealth appointment, or just speak to me, you can call and leave a message.
INSURANCE BILLING: If you have insurance, we can bill them for payment. If you wish to schedule a telehealth appointment, please contact your insurance prior to scheduling to determine whether they are still covering telehealth. There are coverage changes pending for all payers. I can also provide telehealth services on a cash pay basis. [See the full informed consent form here.]
CONTACT INFO:
My Office Voicemail: 503-232-4780 Call to leave a message on my voicemail.
Answering Service: 503-415-4600 My answering service is also still available. You can call them and they will get a message to me.
OTHER ITEMS:
New Address:
This past fall I moved from Kelly St. to a ranch-style house about a mile away, near Reed College Campus. The new address is: 3440 SE Harold Ct. 97202
Accessibility:
At my new house, there is a flight of stairs to get down to the daylight basement office.
COVID Precautions:
I will wear a mask and require the same of you. Patient scheduling will be spaced out to avoid waiting. Windows and a fan will be used to increase ventilation.
Availability:
With my limited schedule, I will obviously not be able to meet the needs of all my patients. After nearly 40 years in practice, this is uncharted territory for me. I value the relationship I have with each of you, and we will see how this will look going forward.
Warm Regards, Rachel Brooks, MD
INFO and UPDATES Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) :
PREVENTATIVE and SUPPORTIVE CARE
NOTE: These approaches are NOT intended to replace needed medical care.
: An Osteopathic Home Treatment for the Lymphatics :
Osteopathy uses a number of hands-on treatments for assisting lymphatic flow. One that I often teach to patients is called the “Pedal Pump”. Here is a YouTube video from one of the osteopathic schools, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
One thing I would say differently from the video is that I find it often takes a minute or two to get the most benefit. You can do this daily or a couple of times a day.
: Acupressure :
Another helpful home treatment approach is using acupressure. It is beyond the scope of this website to prescribe specific points to use—and many different protocols can be found on the internet.
If you are seeking out areas to work on for system support, common points for effecting overall movement and flow in the body include:
Large Intestine (LI) 4;
Stomach (ST) 36;
Liver (LV) 3;
Bladder (UB) 40;
Spleen (SP) 6.
For the lungs you could consider trying Lung (LU) 1 and Stomach (ST) 14.
One description for how to work with an acupuncture point on yourself or someone else is to “Rub with firm pressure, feeling for muscle tightness or soreness. You can do just one side, or both sides… Use enough pressure to connect with the tightness or soreness. Hold for 1-2 minutes as you breathe slowly and deeply.”
Thank you for taking time to tend to yourself and your loved ones during this critical time. Please feel free to communicate as needed. We will take this day by day. Let’s all strive to support our health now, for the future.
* * *
Dr. Brooks’ medical practice is in Portland, Oregon
New Patient Info
Currently Dr. Brooks is only taking on a very limited number of new patients, and there are extended periods in which she is not taking any new patients. There are a number of practitioners in the Portland area who practice osteopathy using similar approaches that she refers to.
Teaching
Rachel Brooks, MD has been involved in teaching cranial osteopathy since 1986. She is currently teaching a series of courses entitled: The Power of Presence.