Practitioner Bio
Janet L. Borges
Janet L. Borges is nationally certified to practice acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She was originally licensed by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) in 2003, before relocating to Virginia, where she has been in private practice since 2004 as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.).
Janet graduated in 2002 with a master’s degree of science in traditional Chinese medicine (MSTCM) from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco, California. See: http://www.actcm.edu.
Comprehensive training included TCM theory and diagnostics, background theory in anatomy and physiology, and TCM nutrition. Chinese herbal medicine was studied and clinically practiced throughout the program. Four years of hands-on, supervised clinical experience at ACTCM’s clinic, as well as off campus internships, were integral to her training.
Licensed acupuncturists in Virginia are licensed by the Board of Medicine, and ongoing post-graduate continuing education is required for maintaining licensure in Virginia. Recently, Janet had the opportunity to study in depth with two leading teachers in the field, which transformed her clinical practice.
During 2015, Janet completed a sports medicine apprenticeship training program with the renowned Whitfield Reaves to further her skills in localized “trigger point” needling for acute and chronic pain. See: http://whitfieldreaves.com.
In May of 2016, she completed a 2-year clinical integration-training program in Stockbridge, Massachusetts with master teacher Lonny Jarrett, a leading scholar in the field for over 30 years, and an expert in pulse diagnosis. This program teaches practitioners to deeply integrate the diagnostic methods of Five Element acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine.
Over the past 20 years, Janet has also completed coursework with other leaders in the field who specialize in areas such as esthetic facial acupuncture, musculoskeletal pain management, and herbal medicine for a wide range of internal medicine complaints.
Janet has over 40 years of personal history as a patient of TCM, beginning in 1980, when she chose TCM as her primary means of healthcare, after facing some health challenges for which she sought alternate care other than conventional treatment. This motivated her to return to school after other career endeavors in order to help others find the benefit of this medicine.
In addition to private practice, Janet is a representative for the U.S. based Chinese herbal company, Mayway Corporation, with whom she has worked since 2000 as a representative and consultant. See: https://www.mayway.com.
Her educational background prior to TCM includes psychology, homeopathy and Buddhism, as well as artistic pursuits such as music and theater. She is a great lover of animals and has a rescued retired greyhound, and volunteers with a center that works with rescued horses to benefit children and adults. See: https://www.labyrinthtrainingcenter.org/
Her service to the profession of acupuncture and east Asian medicine includes holding the position of Secretary from 2009-2012 on the Board of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), and as Legislative Liaison for the Acupuncture Society of Virginia (ASVA) from 2012-2014. In 2014, she was appointed to the Acupuncture Advisory Board by Virginia’s Governor Northam, and served as Chair until the end of 2024. Janet is currently a member of the Professional Ethics Disciplinary Committee of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Janet is well known in the community for her professional, straightforward communication style — which includes an abundance of humor and empathy. This fosters compassionate treatment guidance as you navigate your path to radiant health. Her practice is always complementary to conventional medicine treatments, and she is happy to work with other medical providers to provide the best care for you.
