Through the application of hair-thin, sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture affects change in the body. General and immediate benefits include relaxation, pain relief, and improvements in circulation, sleep, and digestion.
For the best outcomes and patient-centered care, I practice a non-dogmatic blend of classical, traditional, and contemporary acupuncture techniques.
Traditional Chinese medicine
Classical Chinese medicine
Ear acupuncture
Scalp acupuncture
Facial acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine
Classical Chinese medicine
Ear acupuncture
Scalp acupuncture
Facial acupuncture
Electroacupuncture
Orthopedic/sports medicine acupuncture
Trigger point acupuncture/dry needling
Five element acupuncture
Your acupuncture treatment may include several of these techniques, as well as cupping, gua sha, hands-on bodywork, heat therapy, herbal therapy, and lifestyle recommendations.
What does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are effective in treating a vast range of conditions. If you don’t see your specific concern listed here, please schedule a free consultation.
- Tension
- Headaches and migraines
- Whiplash
- Pinched nerve
- Muscle pain (sprain, strain)
- Chronic pain
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bursitis
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis and fasciitis
- Repetitive use injury (carpal tunnel, tennis elbow)
- Post-surgical pain
- Bulging and herniated disc
- Numbness and tingling
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Perioral dermatitis
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis
- Stress
- Tension
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Bloating and discomfort
- Acid reflux, Heartburn, GERD, Ulcers
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease
- Food allergies
- Hemorrhoids
- Nerve pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Carpal tunnel
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Shingles
- Post-stroke symptoms
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Parkinson’s, migraines
- Bell’s Palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vertigo
- Stenosis
- Tinnitus
- Frequent or chronic infection,
- Seasonal allergies/hay fever
- Asthma
- Cough
- Common cold
- Chronic sinus infections
- Recurrent ear infections
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Raynaud’s
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
- Dry eye
- Blurry vision
- Floaters
- Eye pain and inflammation
- Painful periods
- PMS/PMDD
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids
- Menopausal symptoms
- Pregnancy care
- Pre and post-partum support
- Erectile dysfunction
- Prostatitis
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Hernia
- Incontinence
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Myofascial pelvic pain
- Vulvodynia
- Bladder dysfunction
- Interstitial cystitis
- Thyroid disorders
- Hormone imbalance
- Diabetes
Testimonials
FAQ
Yes, acupuncture is safe when performed by a fully trained and licensed practitioner. Top medical institutions around the world endorse acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for many conditions.
The most common side effects are a slight lingering ache at an acupuncture point after a needle has been removed, or a small bruise. More significant side effects are few and extremely rare.
I say no, acupuncture doesn’t hurt when applied by a practitioner who prioritizes a gentle technique, using the smallest gauge needles possible. There is often some sensation: heaviness, pressure, a fleeting sting, warmth.
Your sense of comfort and safety is really important to me.
When coming for acupuncture in my Portland clinic, I typically I recommend 3-6 visits to address relatively new concerns, and 8-10 visits to address more chronic concerns. If you’d like a better idea, I recommend scheduling a free consultation. I’ll gladly discuss what kind of treatment plan I might recommend.
I do. Read more about that here.
Absolutely. I can help you assemble a care team, make referrals if needed, and collaborate with other providers.
A long history of practice and extensive research demonstrates acupuncture is an effective treatment for many conditions, but I’m not here to say “acupuncture treats everything!” Check the lists above, and schedule a free consultation if you’d like to discuss your specific condition.
My acupuncture clinic is centrally located off I-84 in Northeast Portland, easily reachable from Beaverton, Gresham, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, and surrounding areas.
Read more about acupuncture in Portland OR
Acupuncture blogs and articles, by Betsy Gordon Acupuncturist
How can acupuncture help painful periods?
Dysmenorrhea affects as many as 90% of women and can have a significant and detrimental impact on their quality of life. Cramping ranges from mild to severe and may last for a fleeting moment or several days. A 2014 review reported as many as 29% of women studied experienced severe dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is thought … Read more
Acupuncture speeds recovery from the common cold
It’s never a good time to have a cold. Research has shown that acupuncture limits the progression of the common cold and is highly effective in treating the unpleasant lingering symptoms. How does acupuncture help treat the common cold? Acupuncture potentiates the cellular immune system by increasing levels of T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8), interleukins, … Read more
Acupuncture for cancer-related pain
The study included a total of 31 randomized controlled trials. Seven of these trials were sham-controlled, and acupuncture was associated with reduced pain when compared to sham acupuncture. These findings call for additional research to identify which types of cancer pain are best treated with acupuncture, and to integrate these findings into clinical practice to … Read more
How acupuncture can help anxiety
Whether mild or as part of bipolar disorder, anywhere on the spectrum, anxiety almost always pairs with a set of physical manifestations. Over time as our emotions affect our physiology and vice versa, the nervous system falls into a habit. Even if the source of anxiety disappears, the body may remember and be entrenched in … Read more
Harvard study finds acupuncture quiets cytokine storm in mice
Research has demonstrated how acupuncture can reduce inflammation in the context of chronic asthma, pain, Parkinson’s disease, and more…
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture releases blockages and restores harmonious flow. Traditional Chinese medical theory helps us understand how acupuncture points..
Acupuncture and Holistic TCM Dermatology: Itch (pruritis)
A systematic review and meta-analysis (1) concluded acupuncture successfully reduces the intensity of itch.
