Suppose you have a friend or family member who sees an acupuncturist they love. In that case, they can be a good starting point for advice about how to find a licensed acupuncturist for pain relief, immune system health, stress management, menstrual cramps, facial rejuvenation, menopausal symptoms, and more.
If you are looking here in Oregon for a Portland acupuncturist, it’s time to consider acupuncture treatment and herbal therapies with me. As a licensed acupuncturist who has been seeing patients for the past seven years, I can become the beloved acupuncturist you tell friends and family about.
Why Consider a Portland Acupuncturist?
Acupuncture and other Chinese remedies, such as herbal medicine, can aid in treating many symptoms. Our wellness clinic allows massage therapy and acupuncture to work alongside functional medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (CMT) is an ideal complement to conventional Western medicine. At our clinic, you’ll find that acupuncture sessions can help with various health issues using this integrative approach, including:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Stress management
- Knee pain
- Muscle pain
- Auto accident injuries
- Digestive issues
- Sleep problems
- Menstrual issues
- Tennis elbow
- General injury recovery
- Accelerating your health goals
You may notice an improvement in a few weeks of treatment as you approach better health and lasting relief. Most patients experience improved health and well-being after their first visit for acupuncture or massage.
The body’s ability to heal is complicated, as is the body shift required for pain treatment. I use a combination of acupuncture, dry needling, Chinese herbs, soothing scents (aromatherapy), and massage therapy to help support:
- Calm energy flow in the body
- Reduction in pain
- Hormone balance
- Healthy pregnancy
- Facial rejuvenation
- Women’s health
- Chronic pain improvement
- Ability to fall asleep with peace
- Reduction of digestive issues
Here are four tips to consider when deciding which Portland acupuncturist is right for you.
1. Make sure that your acupuncturist has experience treating the condition you have
Ask if the acupuncturist has experience in the area you need. This expertise is significant if you have a complex chronic illness, an injury, a thyroid condition, fertility issues, or want help during or post-pregnancy. If you’re having headaches and migraines, you’ll want to ensure your clinical acupuncture specialist is well-versed in craniosacral therapy.
Finding a specialist means that your acupuncturist will likely have a treatment plan before you even walk in the door. Even with the right expertise, it is vital for you and your provider to remember that you are an individual – which leads me to my next tip.
2. Find an acupuncturist who is unafraid to change tactics or refer out when necessary.
Just because an acupuncturist has treated migraines 100 times before doesn’t mean your migraines will respond to the same methods as anyone else’s. You need to know that your practitioner is willing to build a partnership with you and will do what it takes (including referring you to a chiropractor, MD, physical therapist, LMT, or other relevant specialist) if you are not getting the results you want.
I want you to know that acupuncture works differently for everyone. As with traditional family wellness medicine, sometimes practicing acupuncture means trying a different point until we find one that works to reduce pain. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are arts and sciences, and I have learned that many patients come to the clinic without understanding the best acupuncture treatments and practices.
Your pain management and health are my primary concerns and should be to any Portland acupuncture practitioner. In your extensive research for your Portland acupuncture specialist, make sure to find one who, like me, is unafraid to change tactics or refer out.
3. Choose an acupuncturist with an active social media presence.
A provider who actively blogs and posts on social media sites is interested in sharing a treasure trove of important information with you. These media nuggets of expertise show they are likely to keep up with current research and techniques within the medical field.
If you’re looking for women’s health acupuncture or massage therapists, the same general rule applies to their social media presence. If you’re looking at a massage therapist, it should be clear whether they focus on women’s health, deep tissue massage, and if their facility also does acupuncture. In comparison, specialists practicing in cosmetic or facial rejuvenation acupuncture do not focus on deep tissue massage, general acupuncture, or pain reduction.
Furthermore, you should know the acupuncture procedure costs. The specialist should have that listed on their site or should be clear about it before your first acupuncture appointment. In some instances, this may require answering your acupuncture specialist’s questions about your health, pain, or other conditions you may need help with so they can give you a better estimated investment.
4. Be certain that your acupuncturist is licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
To become an LAc (licensed acupuncturist), one has to complete a comprehensive 4-year post-graduate Master’s degree program and then pass national board exams.
There is a big difference between the amount of education involved in getting a Master’s degree in acupuncture at an accredited school and in taking a weekend course in acupuncture. Your outcomes from acupuncture treatment will likely show in your wellness and pain reduction results.
Whether a busy practice, new practice, specialist, or generalist, make sure you feel comfortable with the practitioner you choose for acupuncture. You need to feel at ease sharing details of your health with them. Your conversations will help you know that you will be listened to and they take your health seriously before acupuncture begins.
So that you can decide whether they will meet your criteria, you should be able to speak with your potential new acupuncturist or acupuncture specialist (for free) via phone or in person before setting an appointment.
Should Acupuncture Hurt?
Generally, acupuncture should not hurt. Occasionally, it is not unusual to feel pain if you move after a needle is inserted. Bodies naturally move, and some muscles, especially during treatment, move involuntarily. Overall, you should not feel significant amounts of pain during treatment. If you do, it’s time to notify your acupuncture specialist to remove the needles and try something else or another acupuncture location on your body.
Some people seeking facial rejuvenation acupuncture, in particular, are nervous about visiting an acupuncturist. Still, the right acupuncture specialist will listen to you about your fears and create an acupuncture plan to help with pain reduction.
Most of the time, practitioners use acupuncture to complement other treatments. And remember, you can alternate acupuncture and a fantastic massage to enhance treatments for certain types of pain.
Learn More About My Pain Relief Acupuncture Treatments and Herbal Medicine Usage
Solstice Natural Health is my downtown southeast Portland acupuncture clinic. I am licensed in Portland, Oregon, and have practiced since 2007. I have treated a vast array of chronic and acute health concerns in my practice with great success using acupuncture. If you’re looking for the best Portland acupuncturist, call 503-442-1205 to set up your free initial consultation. Please visit my website and my Facebook page, or feel free to jump right into an acupuncture appointment.
