FAQs
ACUPUNCTURE
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Acupuncture carries with it a wide range of sensation, from nothing at all, to a sensation of pressure, to deep, dull, and achey, to a radiating zing. Many patients who are new to acupuncture report that it just feels "weird." Some patients find the sensation to be pleasant, like the massage they've been longing for in just the right spot. Acupuncture should not feel like you expect a needle to feel - it should never be sharp or pokey for more than a second or two.
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Acupuncture is an effective treatment for a wide range of health concerns including (and not limited to) chronic and acute pain, low energy, mood issues, sleep disturbance, digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating, menstrual issues such as pain, irregularity, premenstrual mood disturbance, hormonal transition during perimenopause and menopause. Acupuncture is also used as a preventative medicine that strengthens immunity, regulates the nervous system, and often results in a greater sense of well-being with regular, maintenance care.
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Some patients decide to stop treatment once their main complaint has resolved, and some patients continue to come in because of the ongoing benefit they experience in overall health.
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Acupuncture works by unblocking areas of stagnation and allowing for unhindered circulation of blood, vital fluids, and energy. When everything is flowing smoothly, the body is able to heal itself, we experience less pain, and a greater sense of health and well-being. Modern research shows that acupuncture has beneficial effects on the immune system, the circulatory system, the nervous system, metabolism, and pain receptor systems, which helps to explain its wide-reaching health benefits.
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Patients often experience results within 4-6 sessions. It is common to experience improvement in symptoms, especially pain conditions, after 1-2 sessions. Longstanding chronic health issues can take longer to resolve.
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Yes! There are so many different styles of acupuncture and treatments can really vary practioner to practitioner. It is worth experiencing a variety of approaches before deciding that acupuncture doesn't work for you.
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Dry needling often refers to the insertion of fine needles into trigger points or tight, painful areas of the muscle or connective tissue. It is a therapy used by various healthcare professionals (physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors, and also acupuncturists) to relieve pain. Dry needling is based in Western diagnostic methods and principles, and does not employ the use or knowledge of specific acupuncture points, channels, and connections between these and the internal organ systems like acupuncture does. Traditional acupuncture includes its own "dry needling" techniques that involve inserting needles into tight and tender points to releive pain and often address deeper, constitutional imbalance.
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Acupuncture has very minimal side effects. Occasionally bruising or soreness at the site of insertion will occur.
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Yes. Each needle is a single use, sterilized, disposable needle.
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE
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Cosmetic acupuncture is often compared with neurotoxins like botox as it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, however, the primary advantage of face acupuncture is that it does not diminish or paralyze your facial muscles (like such injectable treatments can). Cosmetic acupuncture relaxes muscles and softens tension in a much more gradual, natural way. You will still be able to engage your muscles and maintain tone, and you will continue to look like yourself!
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There is no downtime for cosmetic acupuncture. This is a great treatment to do right before an event because of the minimal downtime and glow it will leave you with.
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Microneedling rejuvenates the surface layer, revealing smoother, plumper, tighter skin. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, microneedling can result in more toned, youthful skin overall. Cosmetic acupuncture is a holistic treatment that works with the deeper scaffolding of the face and body. Cosmetic acupuncture can transform tension and stagnation in the muscles and fascia that underlie wrinkles, sagging, and puffiness. Cosmetic acupuncture treatments will also include body acupuncture points to balance constitution, support the nervous system, and overall health.
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A typical course of cosmetic acupuncture consists of 10-12 sessions scheduled 1-2x/week. Patients often begin to see results after 4-6 sessions, but it is recommended to complete the full course of treatment for best results.
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With maintenance, results can last 3-5 years after the initial course of cosmetic acupuncture. Maintenance sessions are recommended every 4-8 weeks.
HerBAL Medicine
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Herbal medicine can help with such a wide variety of health complaints such as (but not limited to) muscle pain and tightness, arthritis and joint pain, chronic inflammation, digestive, menstrual and hormonal imbalances and changes, insomnia and anxiety, fertility support, coughs, colds, flus, and mood and energy support.
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Patients often experience results within 4-6 sessions. It is common to experience improvement in symptoms, especially pain conditions, after 1-2 sessions. Longstanding chronic health issues can take longer to resolve.
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Some patients decide to stop treatment once their main complaint has resolved, and some patients continue to come in because of the ongoing benefit they experience in overall health.
MICRONEEDLING
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Microneedling rejuvenates the surface layer, revealing smoother, plumper, tighter skin. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, microneedling can result in more toned, youthful skin overall. Cosmetic acupuncture is a holistic treatment that works with the deeper scaffolding of the face and body. Cosmetic acupuncture can transform tension and stagnation in the muscles and fascia that underlie wrinkles, sagging, and puffiness. Cosmetic acupuncture treatments will also include body acupuncture points to balance constitution, support the nervous system, and overall health.
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Microneedling involves a motorized microneedling device fit with a cartridge complete with many very fine needles to shallowly penetrate the skin. This creates controlled microinjuries in the skin initiating a wound healing process that encourages the body to create fresh, new skin. Nanoneedling uses the same motorozed device fit with a cartridge with silicone pins that do not penetrate the skin in the same way microneedling does, but create many microchannels in upper surface of the skin. Both treatments increase circulation and stimulate collagen production resulting in smoother, plumper skin and more even complexion. Nanonneedling is a gentler treatment that requires no downtime or healing. Microneedling is more effective at treating fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and loose skin since it penetrates beyond just the surface.
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Plan to look and feel sunburned for about 24 hours following a microneedling session. For the first few days following treatment, it is possible that your skin looks a bit blotchy and peels slightly before a fresh glow is revealed, often starting about 3-5 days after the treatment.
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Please plan to wash only with water, use gentle products such as hyaluronic acid, and avoid face makeup and SPF for the first 48 hours. During the first 48 hours, please avoid the sun - hats and shade are great! After this, for the first two weeks following treatment, please be extra careful with sun exposure since your skin is healing and more susceptible to sun damage during this time. Wear a clean, mineral SPF daily!
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A typical course of microneedling is 6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Patients will often begin to see improvements in their skin texture, tone, and hydration within 1-2 sessions.
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After a series of microneedling, results can last up to five years with good skincare, sun protection and a healthy lifestyle. Many patients choose to do a seasonal maintenance treatment after a series of sessions.
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We use the AcuLift MicroPen, a professional microneedling pen sold to acupuncturists only.
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Most patients find the microneedling experience to be somewhere between tolerable and relaxing. Expect your skin to feel a bit sunburned as soon as the treatment is over. Numbing cream is optional if the sensation is too much.
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Yes. Unlike lasers and many chemical peels, microneedling carries minimal risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making it a safer option for medium and darker skin tones.
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Yes — scalp microneedling stimulates circulation and growth factors at the hair follicle level, encouraging less hair loss and new growth. We offer dedicated hair regrowth sessions and most patients see improvement within 12 weeks.
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Every session is tailored to your skin and goals, and includes Celluma red light therapy and full-body infrared mat treatment as part of the experience. The combination accelerates healing and improves results. We are also highly trained medical professionals! As acupuncturists (each with 4+ years of schooling on the art and science of using needles to promote health!), we bring a holistic perspective to skin health. which means we're thinking about what's happening constitutionally, not just treating the surface. We are available to work with you from this lens also, if you wish.
YOUR APPOINTMENT
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Feel free to arrive in your regular, comfortable clothing. Linens are provided if disrobing is necessary.
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My training in Chinese medicine was a four year, full-time masters level education. Since graduating with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR in 2012, I have pursued various continuing education related to practicing natural medicine.
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We are in network with:
Regence BCBS
Moda
Providence
CareOregon
MVA / Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance
We may be able to bill out of network for:
United Healthcare
Aetna
If you plan to use insurance, please enter your plan info when prompted at booking.
Feel free to contact us if you have specific questions.
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Insurance will not cover cosmetic services. If you have insurance benefits for acupuncture, we may be able to bill insurance for a partial cost of the cosmetic acupuncture visit - please inquire for details. We are unable to bill for microneedling.
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Please contact us or cancel or reschedule via the links in your email with 48 hours notice, but more notice is sincerely appreciated. Your card on file will be automatically charged for late cancellations or schedule changes.
Given the nature of the one-on-one care we provide, availability is tight, and we often have a list of folks who we cannot fit in. Unfortunately, over the past few months we have seen an increase in late cancellations and appointment changes. A late cancel or schedule change disrupts our scheduling and does not give us time to fill those holes and get everyone the care that they need. Thank you for understanding the need to charge a fee for late cancellations.
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There is ample street parking in the area, and also a pay parking lot across the street from the building on 10th and Division. You will need to download an app to use this lot.
Please do not park in the lot on the SW corner of the building off of SE 11th Ave and avoid parking or driving on 11th - there is a high likelihood of getting stuck on your way in or out of this lot if there is a train. If you park here, you risk getting stuck for hours.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT TRAINS RUN FREQUENTLY THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PERIODICALLY WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC TO STOP FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR.
Plan accordingly and follow these recommendations to avoid getting stuck: If you are coming from south of Powell, please take Powell to 20th and come back down (head west) Division so that you stay on the north of the tracks. If you are coming from north of Division, please avoid driving or parking on 11th as this one-way street will come to a halt if there is a train and you risk getting stuck. We cannot be responsible for late arrivals or missed appointments due to the train. We want for us all to be able to avoid the stress that the train can cause, and it is possible with a little planning and strategy!
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Our office is located in the Ford Building in SE Portland at 2505 SE 11th Ave Suite 272, Portland, OR 97202. Directions here.
From the main entrance on 11th use the code *2182 to enter the building (don’t forget the asterisk), take the stairs or elevator to the second floor. From the stairs, take a left and follow the hallway all the way down past the bathrooms, and continue winding down the hallway until you can't go any further. We are the last office on the left. If you take the elevator, take a right off of the elevator and do the same.
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Oregon has lifted the mask mandate in healthcare settings as of April 3, 2023, therefore masks are optional so long as you are not exhibiting signs of respiratory illness.
Please continue following the current CDC guidelines if you have been exposed to COVID or tested positive for COVID. We ask that if you have recently recovered from an infectious respiratory illness of any kind, please wear a mask in our office for 7 days after symptoms have resolved to help protect our community.