My Story
I first discovered acupuncture when I was in college dealing with chronic pain that just wouldn’t get better. I wanted something affordable, so I went to a community clinic and was amazed at how much it helped—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too, during a very stressful time in school. That experience planted the seed for everything that came after and eventually led me to pursue Chinese medicine professionally.
I earned my master’s and doctoral degrees in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, Oregon, where I spent hundreds of hours seeing patients, learning herbal medicine, and refining my approach to care. I also completed externships at behavioral health and recovery-focused centers, which helped me develop a strong foundation in trauma-informed, community-centered care.
Outside of the clinic, I spend time quilting, cooking, reading, hiking, and tending my garden. Milo, my cat, is a constant companion through all of it. These simple, everyday practices are what keep me grounded and inform the way I approach care—balancing attention to the body with attention to life as a whole.
To learn more about me, please send me an email @ prairiestaracu@gmail.com or give the office a call at 618-633-2026.
I’ll be more than happy to tell you anything you’d like to know.
Thanks for visiting…and have a great day.
The story behind Prairie Star Acupuncture & Healing Arts
Following my graduation and national exams for NCCAOM certification, I walked the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain. This 40-day journey gave me time to reflect, slow down, and consider what kind of practice I wanted to build when I returned home. It inspired me to open Prairie Star in Illinois, where I could combine my roots in the prairie with everything I learned on my path—both academically and personally.
The name Prairie Star Acupuncture & Healing Arts has a lot of meaning for me. The prairie represents my Illinois roots and the grounded, resilient landscape I call home. The star symbolizes guidance and new direction, inspired by the way-markers of the Camino and the many people I met along the way. The colors in the star represent the Five Elements of Chinese medicine (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) while the wildflowers remind me of the fragility and abundance of life, shaped by the experiences I’ve gathered living and studying out west.
Healing Arts speaks to the many forms this medicine can take. Each person’s treatment plan looks a little different because each person’s story is unique. Whether through acupuncture, herbal medicine, movement, or gentle shifts in daily rhythm, I draw from a full toolkit to support balance and reconnection to your own natural state of harmony.
National Certification & Illinois State Licensure
Dr. Debra Kraner is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) and a state-licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in Illinois.
As a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, she has met the national certification requirements for both acupuncture and Chinese herbology, reflecting a considerable professional achievement. NCCAOM certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that Dr. Kraner has met rigorous national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine. For additional information about the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine designation, please visit the NCCAOM Website.
Her Illinois state licensure, issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), authorizes her to provide acupuncture and East Asian medical care in the state. This licensure ensures that all treatments at Prairie Star meet Illinois standards for safety, professionalism, and patient care. Her practice upholds the highest ethical and clinical guidelines, offering trusted, compassionate care to the local community.
Clinical & Herbal Experience
Dr. Debra Kraner completed her clinical training in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, Oregon. During her time at OCOM, she served as a clinical intern at both the Hollywood Clinic and the Old Town Campus, completing over 590 hours of supervised practice and treating more than 300 patients. Her training included the formulation of nearly 200 individualized herbal prescriptions, reflecting comprehensive study in both acupuncture and herbal therapeutics.
In addition to her on-campus experience, Dr. Kraner completed externships at Cascadia Behavioral Health Center (Garlington Campus) and Fora Health Treatment & Recovery Center, where she provided acupuncture within community and recovery-focused settings, deepening her commitment to accessible and trauma-informed care.
Alongside her clinical training, Dr. Kraner has extensive experience in herbal dispensary operations and product formulation. At the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Lair Hill Health Center Medicinary, she served as a Medicinary Specialist, accurately dispensing provider-prescribed herbal and nutritional products, compounding custom formulas, and managing inventory and special orders. Previously, she worked as a Work Study Student at the OCOM Old Town Campus Herbal Medicinary. These experiences gave her a strong foundation in both the practical and clinical aspects of herbal medicine, which she integrates seamlessly into her patient care at Prairie Star.
Educational Background
Dr. Debra Kraner earned both her Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) and Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (MACM) from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, Oregon. Her four-year East Asian Medicine education included over 2,500 hours of academic coursework and 1,100 hours of supervised clinical training, integrating classical and modern approaches to East Asian Medicine.
Her studies encompassed a broad range of subjects including Five Element and Orthopedic Acupuncture, Herbal Therapeutics, Western Clinical Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Tuina, and Qi Gong, as well as advanced topics in behavioral health, community medicine, and integrative medical research. Dr. Kraner has completed additional training in Applied Channel Theory, Teishin Therapy, and Military Cultural Competency, and holds certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid.
Prior to her doctoral and master’s studies, Dr. Kraner earned her Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems with a Minor in China Studies from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. During her undergraduate education, she served as Lab Manager and Research Associate in the Food and Health Lab within the Department of Health and Human Development, where she developed and validated research protocols, trained student researchers, and coordinated with community partners on food systems and health-related projects.
She also served as a Teaching Assistant and Peer Mentor for Measuring Innovation in the Food System (SFBS 327) through the Undergraduate Scholars Program and as a Teaching Assistant for Elementary Chinese (CHIN 101) in the Department of Modern Languages.
Her academic leadership and scholarship were recognized through multiple honors and awards, including Outstanding Senior in Sustainable Food Systems, and the Award for Excellence – Top 40 Seniors of Montana State University. She was also a Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Scholar and a Visiting Scholar at the School of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China in Beijing.
Dr. Kraner began her academic journey at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science and received numerous distinctions, including the Distinguished Scholars Award, membership in the Phi Delta Epsilon Honors Society, and recognition on the President’s List for Academic Achievement.
