Acupuncture in Portland OR

Gentle, effective healing & pain management

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.

Acupuncture in Portland OR

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.

Acupuncture for pain and injury recovery
  • 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
Acupuncture for skin conditions
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Perioral dermatitis
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Acupuncture for mental and emotional health
  • Stress
  • Tension
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Panic attacks
  • Insomnia
Acupuncture for digestive health
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Bloating and discomfort
  • Acid reflux, Heartburn, GERD, Ulcers
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease
  • Food allergies
  • Hemorrhoids
Acupuncture for neurological pain and conditions
  • 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
Acupuncture for autoimmune and Immune health
  • 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
Acupuncture for eye health
  • Dry eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Floaters
  • Eye pain and inflammation
Acupuncture for reproductive health, metabolic, and urogynecological health
  • 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

Is acupuncture safe?

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.

 

Does acupuncture hurt?

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.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need?

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.

Do you bill insurance?

I do. Read more about that here.

Can acupuncture be combined with medication and other therapies?

Absolutely. I can help you assemble a care team, make referrals if needed, and collaborate with other providers.

Can you treat ___?

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.

Where is your acupuncture clinic in Portland?

My acupuncture clinic is centrally located off I-84 in Northeast Portland, easily reachable from Beaverton, Gresham, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, and surrounding areas.

acupuncture Portland

Read more about acupuncture in Portland OR

Acupuncture blogs and articles, by Betsy Gordon Acupuncturist

Woman in pain from period
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...
common cold
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,...
Acu-for-cancer
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...
Anxiety
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...
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Acupuncture and Holistic TCM Dermatology: Itch (pruritis)
Itch (pruritis) is a common manifestation of eczema (atopic dermatitis), hives (urticaria), acne, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, fungal infection (tinea), lichen planus, and other skin conditions. A systematic review and meta-analysis (1) concluded acupuncture successfully reduces the intensity of itch. Researchers have identified potential explanations for this positive effect: The kappa opioid receptor is active throughout...
Holistic TCM Dermatology
Acupuncture and Holistic TCM Dermatology: Lichen Sclerosus
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dermatology provide a wealth of resources for relief and complete healing of lichen sclerosus, especially in its early stages. How do I know if I have lichen sclerosus? Lichen sclerosus is an autoinflammatory condition which most often affects skin in the anogenital area. The cause is not well understood...
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Could you use a late summer posture check?
Beyond neck and shoulder tension, prolonged poor posture can contribute to sciatica, dizziness/vertigo, TMJD, carpal tunnel, headaches, and even digestive changes. I treat a lot of neck pain and downstream musculoskeletal complaints! Acupuncture is wonderfully effective in these cases, but when our working posture consistently triggers pain or numbness, it may be time to consider...
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How does acupuncture relieve allergy symptoms?
Preliminary studies (1, 2, 3) and two randomized controlled trials (1, 2) have found acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. How does it work? Interleukin-1 receptor-α (IL1R1) is an encoded protein our body produces during an inflammatory immune response. Newer biologic medications target this receptor in the treatment of inflammatory,...
Can acupuncture treat systemic inflammation? | Portland Acupuncture
Harvard study finds acupuncture quiets cytokine storm in mice
Exciting new research! We've seen how acupuncture can reduce inflammation in chronic asthma, pain conditions, Parkinson’s disease, and more. Now, a team of neuroscientists have used acupuncture to calm acute systemic inflammation in mice. Cytokine storm is associated with an array of diseases and many of you will recognize this term from your own recent...

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My acupuncture clinic is centrally located on NE Broadway Street in Northeast Portland, easily reachable from North, SW, and SE Portland. You’ll find easy neighborhood parking.