ABOUT US
What It
Means
To Be A
Patient At
Active Living
Chiropractic
DOCTORS
Dr. Guillermo Bermudez
D.C., C.C.S.P.
Dr. Guillermo Bermudez founded Active Living Chiropractic with the goal of helping people from all walks of life to live actively by achieving optimum health and peak performance. His enlightened approach involves educating patients and including them as partners in their treatment. Dr. Bermudez understands that active living isn’t just about putting on cleats and a uniform--it's about living life to the fullest.
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Dr. Bermudez is committed to remaining at the leading edge of the field of Chiropractic Medicine and regularly attends workshops, seminars and courses that enable him to provide the best possible care for his patients. Dr. Bermudez was chosen in Portland Monthly's magazine as Top Doctors by his peers in 2018, 2020 and Best of Beaverton in 2021. Dr. Bermudez is a past president of the American Chiropractic Association Council on Sports Injuries and Physical Fitness. Dr. Bermudez received his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from the University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College), achieved the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (C.C.S.P.) credentialing from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, and is a Graduate of San Diego Spine Research Institute in Brain Traumatology and Whiplash Injuries.
Dr. Bermudez is a native of Managua, Nicaragua and grew up in Miami, Florida. A former elite soccer athlete, he has sustained many of the same injuries which he is now able to help using his extensive training and personal experience.
Dr. Michael VanSooy D.C.
Dr. VanSooy's pursuit of science and medicine began with his premedical degree from the University of Portland. There he did research in botany and was awarded the prestigious Merdock Grant scholarship, which allowed him to conduct research on migratory shore birds in Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Driven by an unwavering desire for purpose and meaning in his daily life, he consciously chose to embark on a path in Chiropractic Medicine, attending the University Of Western States. Fueled by a profound passion for scientific exploration, Dr. VanSooy deeply appreciates the significant impact of research within the medical field. Motivated by this understanding, he remains committed to staying up-to-date with evidence-based practices and advancements. By constantly staying informed of the latest breakthroughs in chiropractic medicine, he ensures that his patients receive the highest quality of care aligned with the most recent findings.
Dr. VanSooy seamlessly combines his medical and scientific background to provide comprehensive and informed chiropractic services. As an identical twin, he possesses a unique ability to empathize and understand diverse perspectives. This enhances his ability to connect with patients on a deeper level, delivering compassionate and individualized care.
With dedication and a genuine passion for helping others, Dr. VanSooy embraces his role as a chiropractic physician, supporting patients on their journey to a pain-free and fulfilling life. By empowering patients through comprehending the root causes of their pain or limited mobility, he not only delivers effective symptom relief but also motivates them to regain control over their health and well-being.
During his leisure time, Dr. VanSooy enjoys engaging in a variety of hobbies that bring him immense satisfaction. Woodworking is one of his passions, allowing him to explore his creativity and build various items. He also finds relaxation and excitement on the golf course, where he can challenge himself and hone his skills. Spending quality time with his twin brother is important to him, as they share a strong bond. Recently, Dr. VanSooy has taken up sewing, exploring a new interest and acquiring new skills.
ACUPUNCTURISTS
John Shade
L.Ac.
John Shade, LAc (Shade) is a licensed acupuncturist practitioner, teacher of several styles of Qigong and Daoist yoga, and a Chinese herbalist of the classical style. Shade became an Acupuncturist because of a lifelong search to understand how the disparate parts of a human being are connected. After many years of travel, Shade settled in Portland. In seeking to become an acupuncturist, he graduated from NUNM with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine. Prior to enrolling at NUNM, he completed his undergraduate degree in classical Chinese literature from Portland State University. He wanted to have firsthand knowledge of the basic tenets oriental medicine. He has found that a clear understanding of these works can provide the various details governing the relationships between the different organs of the body that allow emotional suffering and chronic illness to be treated as efficiently and effectively as physical injury or common illnesses.
He believes that disease and suffering may only be diagnosed by looking at a person in the context of the life and the world that person occupies, and therefore every person must be treated as a unique individual, with their own specific set of circumstances. Each treatment is founded on the idea of bringing that person back into balance with themselves, and not some idealized normal. In addition to nutritional and herbal consultations, he incorporates a spectrum of techniques, both ancient and modern, in order to address the multiple layers of the emotional and physical person during treatment.
Shade believes the experience of feeling whole and healthy is the pinnacle of the human experience and being able to support others in their quest is his passion.
Kristine Nakasato
L.A.c
Kristine Nakasato (Kristie) is a licensed acupuncturist, who is nationally certified in Oriental Medicine. She interned under well-known San Francisco acupuncturist, Dr. Angela Wu, where she trained in meridian and abdominal massage. This Eastern approach was Kristie’s first introduction to a traditional holistic system of healthcare, and after working here she entered acupuncture school in order to offer those health benefits to others. Kristie graduated from Five Branches University with a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She worked in acupuncture clinics in the Bay Area, and in Hawai’i where she is from, before moving to the vibrant and friendly community of Hillsboro.
She looks at each person’s unique pattern, and draws from her knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine principles of balance and harmony, Japanese palpation, sports medicine, and electroacupuncture to optimize healing. She is known for her gentle, yet effective acupuncture style in treating a wide range of conditions including chronic and acute pain, migraines, metabolic disorders, side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, and stress and anxiety. She has also worked extensively with gynecological disorders and pregnancy.
REHABILITATION & EXERCISE SPECIALIST
Katy Harrington
B.S., CA, SFS
Katy joined the Active Living Chiropractic team as the rehabilitative specialist and personal trainer for the Active Living Human Performance Lab. She graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise sport science. With an educational background in athletic training and experience as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, Katy uses her knowledge and skills to help people achieve their individual needs and goals. Born and raised in the Portland area, she grew up in an active environment. She has always been involved in sports and has a passion for health and fitness.
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Katy was a student athletic trainer for the 2009 Western Oregon University Football and Volleyball teams as well as 2009-2010 OSU football and softball teams, where she was involved in the care, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. She has worked with and trained a diverse population with a wide range of fitness and ability levels, from student athletes to senior citizens. She focuses on educating proper form and technique, program design, and realistic lifestyle changes to help individuals meet their goals. She finds motivation in others willing to make positive changes towards a healthy lifestyle.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Trisstin McCallister
LMT, CA
Trisstin was born and raised in Portland and grew up playing many different sports. Accompanying those sports were injuries and with those injuries she received all different kinds of treatment. What resonated with her the most was massage therapy and how much it really helped her heal and get back on the field quickly.
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Trisstin received her Bachelor of Science from PSU and then attended Pioneer Pacific to get her massage license. Trisstin is great at understanding what each individual needs and tailors the massage specifically for each person. She specializes in Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, and Swedish massage.
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Trisstin is a mom to an energetic little boy. She spends her free time enjoying him and loves watching him grow and change every day. In the off chance she has other free time she enjoys running and hiking; anything that gets her outside to appreciate the beautiful surroundings Oregon has to offer.