Evan Murao graduated in December 2019 with a Doctorate Degree in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Health and Sciences in San Diego. He is a graduate of the World Medicine Institute, with a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2011, with a B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Psychology. His background and experience enables him to have a keen sense of awareness by being mindful and attentive to policy, upholding the utmost priority of professional ethical standards, and discern proficiently in understanding the behavior, the mental health, and the psychosocial aspects of each patient.
He also graduated in 2014 with a Master’s degree of Science in Counseling Psychology, concentrating in Marriage and Family Therapy. He also is a lifetime member with the International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi), being in the top 10th percentile in his class of over 700,000 Psi Chi members and counting throughout the world. Evan has 60 credit hours of graduate training, and over 700 hours of clinical experience in family counseling. He has had over 600 hours of leadership education in neurological and related disorders under the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, working with families and multiple service providers within the community, to improve support systems and services for children with special health needs along with their family members. Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are children with disabilities or those at risk of neurodevelopmental delays, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, multiple handicaps, and other chronic illnesses and/or health conditions. Evan also has experience in crisis intervention, providing counseling and support services to children and parents, coordinating rehabilitation or placement services for neglected or abused children, in the Child Protective Services Department of Human Services, servicing families in the Mililani, Waipahu, Nanakuli, and Wai’anae districts.
With an understanding of family dynamics and comfortable working with patients whom have depression and/or anxiety, he is able to address a patient’s emotional or mental health issues that may be harming themselves and/or their family. He is prepared to handle stress in an efficient manner that does not interfere with helping his patients, nor hinder their choice, by working collaboratively for the sake of the patient’s best interest. By talking with patients, he seeks to address any disharmony and modify these issues within each treatment session, if need be.
Evan was introduced to acupuncture through an accident resulting in neck, shoulder, back, and hip injuries. In 2006 he was involved in a major car accident that almost ended his life. From a Western medicine approach, his only options were to live in the life of taking pain medication and cortisone injections. With not wanting to live a life of masking his pain, he stumbled onto an acupuncturist who introduced him to Chinese medicine. The treatments he was receiving quickly reduced the pain, muscle tension, inflammation and was at a level where it was manageable to have a fully active life. From his personal experience, he was intrigued by the approach of holistic and natural healing, and was inspired to do the same for others, to support people by helping them to achieve their healthcare goals within a framework of therapeutic counseling and Chinese medicine.
Evan has over 3000 hours of training in Acupuncture theoretical concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the practical application of the theoretical presentations in differential pattern diagnosis, treatment planning, needling technique and herbal formulation. Taoist Medicine consists of the unique disciplines and special techniques of Taoist diagnosis and healing. His training also includes the application of various needling techniques and complementary East Asian medicine modalities that specialize in acupuncture such as acupressure, medical qigong, cupping therapy, moxibustion, gua sha myofascial release, tui na chinese massage, electroacupuncture, Chinese herbs, scalp, auricular, and microsystem acupuncture.
Evan focuses on helping all who live an active lifestyle: from competitive athletes to the everyday physical person, at work, home, or at play. Specializing in acute musculoskeletal injuries and addressing the most chronic pain conditions, the goal is to enable each person to have a better quality of life and a plan of preventative care, at the end of each session. He also is passionate in addressing mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders, thyroid disorders, women’s health, digestive disorders and promoting surgery recovery. Beyond acupuncture, he incorporates lifestyle & family counseling, cupping therapy, trigger point release, electrotherapy stimulation, Acudetox, heat therapy, Aromatherapy, Medical Qigong, Gua Sha myofascial release, Tui Na Chinese massage, home exercises and stretches, Chinese herbal therapy and nutritional therapy. His unique approach in working collaboratively with each patient, by tailoring unique treatment plans to individual cases, facilitate the success in empowering patients to take charge of their health toward a better quality of life.
Dr. Evan F.J. Murao 