Prior to his studies in acupuncture Jim was a Respiratory Therapist at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. In 1980 he began his studies in acupuncture and attended the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 1981 through 1983. In 1984 Jim was an Intern at the First Hospital, Chongqing, Sichuan, Peoples Republic of China. He returned to Seattle continuing as a Respiratory Therapist while taking his Board examinations and beginning his practice in acupuncture.

Jim is a leading acupuncturist in WA and currently is the Director of Clinical Services for Seattle Acupuncture Associates, maintaining busy acupuncture clinics in downtown Seattle, and on the eastside in Kirkland and Renton. He has lectured, written and published on acupuncture in the clinical setting.