Chronic Pain Institute

Researchers Background

Kristen Sparrow, MD

Clinical Acupuncture in Sonoma County California

Secretary Treasurer Director -Basic Research of The Chronic Pain Institute

Received her doctorate degree from Tulane University. She practiced her specialties of both Pediatrics and Anesthesiology for an extensive period of time often dealing with chronic pain which played a part in her decision to specialize in its management through Acupuncture.

Dr. Kristen Sparrow is a native of the Bay Area. She completed her undergraduate degree at University of California at Berkeley, graduating with High Honors in Biochemistry. She chose to pursue her interest in research rather than go directly on to medical school after graduating, so worked as a Research Associate in the Biochemistry of Dr. Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. She then went to Medical School at Tulane University in New Orleans, went on to complete a residency in Pediatrics at UCLA Harbor Hospital. She then completed a residency in Anesthesiology at UC Irvine. She obtained her Board Certification in both Anesthesiology and Pediatrics. For nine years she practiced Anesthesiology at Kaiser San Francisco, a tertiary referral center, with a particular emphasis on Pediatric and Neonatal Anesthesia. Her practice was interrupted because she was diagnosed with a respiratory latex allergy.

With the enforced break in her career, she and her family moved to Spain. Anesthesiologists have traditionally had a role in pain management, so with that in mind, she undertook an intensive acupuncture study. Her intent was to learn a few therapies to be able to use on her return. She became fascinated with the entire system of acupuncture, however, and was especially intrigued because it seems to treat many conditions ill-treated by western medicine. Also of particular interest were conditions with a strong emotional or stress component. She finished the acupuncture course and on returning opened her own acupuncture practice. It is her opinion that even if a small portion of the claims made by traditional Chinese medicine are valid, it warrants serious study and substantial investments of time and energy. With this direction in mind, she helped to form the "Chronic Pain Institute." Her research interests center around acupuncture and our ability to establish objective indicators of its effectiveness.

She is a member of the AAMA, The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. This is an organization of medical doctors certified and trained in acupuncture as well as conventional medicine.

*Do you know someone with chronic pain or interested in the subject, but who may not be 'on line' yet? Why not print and send them a copy of this page?

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