Practitioners

Dr. Jamie Ellis

Dr. Ellis has worked in the alternative health care field for over 11 years, first as a licensed massage therapist and most recently as a chiropractic physician. Her in-depth understanding and years of experience with the musculoskeletal system aid in her practice as a chiropractic physician. She has worked with many patients with varying needs and especially enjoys working with auto and work injuries and with athletes--particularly the weekend warrior. Her treatment style is evidence based using the newest and best techniques to suit her patients’ individual needs. She often incorporates exercise, stretching, nutritional supplements, Kinesiotaping, physiotherapy and other modalities to ensure the best possible outcome for her clients. Her caring nature fosters an ideal environment for lasting positive changes in her patients’ bodies and lives.

Dr. David Higginson

As the child of two native Oregonians, Dr. Higginson always felt a strong connection to the Rose City. Although he was born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, he knew Portland was where he wanted to plant his roots and pursue his passion in chiropractic.

After graduating from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Higginson joined a local practice to extend the great chiropractic education he had received. After owning and operating Highland Chiropractic Clinic in NE Portland he has most recently worked in the Outpatient Clinic at the local chiropractic college. As an associate chiropractor and clinic assistant he was able to learn from doctors with many years in the profession. This experience gave him a chance to try many different chiropractic techniques and determine which methods best suited his patients.

Chiropractic has been a huge part of both his and his wife’s life for many years. He has seen what is possible when a patient is in the hands of a skilled and compassionate chiropractor and feels fortunate to be able to offer this service to others.

Dr. Higginson and his wife are the proud parents of 3 boys!

Dr. Melanie Brown and Dr. Jason Brown

Dr. Melanie Brown is a dynamic and compassionate healer who enjoys the variety of options that chiropractic care offers. Along with manual adjusting, Dr. Melanie utilizes therapies such as cranial manipulation, cranio-sacral therapy, reiki, physiotherapy, whole food based nutritional supplements and much more. She combines the evidence based education she received at Western States Chiropractic College with an intuitive approach to patient care. Dr. Melanie is a great listener and is able to find creative ways to bring balance to her patient’s bodies and lives, resulting in positive and permanent changes in their health. This has created a very loyal patient following for years.

Dr. Jason Brown graduated in 2006 from WSCC in Portland. Since his days of being a competitive athlete in his youth, he has understood the benefits of chiropractic care to balance the body and enhance performance. His undergraduate degree was in Exercise Sports Science and he worked as a personal trainer before becoming a chiropractic physician. His technique is thorough and contemplative, he is always looking for the best mix of treatments to create the "well-oiled machine" a body should be. He is excited about creating a clinic where patients can recieve a variety of treatments that complement chiropractic care such as acupuncture, massage and excercise therapy. His caring and compassionate spirit serves his clients well. He goes above and beyond to assure that his patients are getting the care they need and deserve. He believes that when the body is in balance, quality of life will improve, thus allowing his patients to experience the fullness of a pain free life.

Dr. Melanie and Dr. Jason were married at Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge in 2006. They also started Pure Life Clinic in 2006 and are excited to be a part of serving the local community. They have 3 children and love doing family outdoor activities, always appreciating the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. They also regularly travel to the Midwest to visit family and recognize the importance of balance within families, profession and wellness.

Maura Dawgert, LAc

Maura’s path to alternative medicine was a winding one. After finishing her BS in Anthropology and Peace Studies from Loyola University in Chicago, her love of adventure took her through many countries and cities while working in the fields of primatology, acupressure, massage and medical assistance. Yet, it was not until watching her cousin’s and aunt’s struggles with breast cancer that Maura’s value of holistic medicine fully developed. This not only includes treating the whole patient, but also extending treatment to the entire support system for that patient. Having already studied shiatsu, tuina, and acupressure at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA, she decided to increase her understanding of internal medicine by furthering her education in acupuncture and herbal medicine.

After finishing her Master’s degree at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, and Qigong Teacher Certification with Ling Gui International Healing School, Maura continued her studies at Nanjing University in China. Here she worked with “Flying Needle” Dr. Wang who specializes in post-stroke recovery, GI disorders, and pain. She also worked with a pediatric doctor who combines tuina, acupuncture, and herbs in the treatment of cerebral palsy, asthma, digestive disorders, and vision issues.

While Maura loves treating all patients, she especially enjoys women’s health, mental-emotional issues, pediatrics, and oncology support. She uses acupuncture and herbs with various complimentary modalities, such as rice-cone moxa, essential oils, and qigong exercises, to address each of her patients' individual needs.

In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, gardening, meditation, qigong, exploring new places, and playing her accordion.

Angela Adamski

A graduate of BodyMind Academy, Angela has been practicing massage since 2003. Originally from Seattle, she is now growing a practice in Portland at the Pure Life Clinic. Angela has always had a great interest in health and movement, and massage is a natural profession for her. She takes pride in facilitating the healing that massage and bodywork can bring into peoples lives. Specializing in Deep Tissue and Swedish techniques, Angela also practices gentler modalities such as Acupressure, Reiki and Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Whether you are looking for relaxation or treatment massage, Angela would love to assist you in receiving the results you need.

Bryan Miller

With nearly a decade of experience in bodywork, Bryan’s approach to both massage and Yoga is geared toward the needs of the individual. Bryan trained with the Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, New York in the summer of 2000, which has one of the more rigorous massage programs in the U.S. He worked extensively with David Palmer, Chief of Operations of the Touch Pro institute and patent holder of the modern massage chair. Through these experiences Bryan has also become well practiced with Shiatsu, Anma, Myofascial release, Deep Tissue, and Swedish techniques.

Recently he has practiced sports medicine techniques and pre/post medical massage while working at West Portland Physical Therapy Clinic and volunteering with the Oregon Ballet. Combining his passion for body work with his personal Yoga practice he completed his 200 hour Yoga teaching certification with Prananda in North Portland. He emphasizes proper alignment through specific instructions and hands-on adjustment. Today he is steadily building a Portland based massage and Yoga instruction practice.

Nealy Pearson

I am a graduate of East West College in Portland, Oregon where I completed the 800 hour program including , specialties in Trigger Point, Myofascial Therapy, PNF, Deep Tissue, and Shiatsu Therapy. Prior to my travels to Oregon, I attended Heartwood Institute in Northern California where I mainly focused on Swedish, Deep tissue and Thai Massage. While attending Heartwood, I quickly embraced the importance of holistic healing, nutrition, and alternative methods of health care as it complements my belief of our own abilities to employ self-empowerment towards “feeling better” on the physical and emotional level! I have also received training in Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute which is geared toward facilitating balance of the fluid within the spinal cord. Before my journey towards massage, I was on the path towards nursing working as an assistant in the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. There, I realized that my true healing potential to assist others along their unique journey towards ultimate well being and my loving intentions was best expressed through the healing power of touch. There are many avenues towards healing which makes alternative health care so intriguing and the art of integrating modalities with various techniques an endless journey!

Shawn Kinsella

Early on in his studies Shawn discovered that he has a natural gift to connect with his clients on the most subtle levels, this in addition to his extensive knowledge of anatomy physiology and years of experience with repetitive stress injuries and sports injury rehab creates a session unique to each individual and their needs. He was originally drawn and influenced by the healing properties of Yoga in 1997 while suffering from many syndromes and multiple injuries as a result of living an unbalanced lifestyle. This began his quest for healing for himself and has since expanded to the healing of others.

With over 1,300 hours of study in bodywork alone; Shawn is a graduate of IPSB’s 550hr program, has over 500hrs of study and multiple certifications in Thai Yoga Massage through Lotus Palm, and has studied Cranio Sacral therapy with Garry Straus of Polarity Healing Arts. He is also a certified Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, and holds an IYT500 Yoga Therapy certification through Integrative Yoga Therapy. Shawn has also studied and developed a meditation practice since the age of thirteen, and has consistently studied martial arts, Yoga, and human energy systems for his entire adult life. He is very passionate about his work and feels he is answering his true calling by bringing healing to his clients students. 

Daniel Flynn

Daniel Flynn, LMT and Registered Yoga Teacher, has a life-long passion for health and wellness. He focuses his therapeutic work on getting functional and noticeable long term results. His modalities focus on reducing pain and increasing range of motion so you can get back to enjoying your life to the fullest. He uses Swedish, Deep Tissue, Breathwork, Hot Stone Therapy and Yoga-based stretching techniques to restore balance in the body. Sessions can range from relaxing to focused therapeutic deep work depending on the needs of the individual.  He creates a safe relaxing space so that you can grow and heal. Daniel graduated from East West College of the Arts in 2008 and since then has seen his clients receive consistent benefits. He also teaches yoga (www.flynnyoga.com) having studied in both India and the US. He's taught yoga and done bodywork in the US, Japan, and the Caribbean.

April Busenbark

April is a chiropractic assistant at Pure Life Clinic. She supports the doctors by preparing the patients with heat, physiotherapy, traction and massage. She is studying to be a Liscensed Massage Therapist at East West College. April grew up in Portland and enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking in the Columba River Gorge.