portland acupuncture

Tips for before and after vaccination

Tips for before and after vaccination

As vaccines become more widely available, we are seeing more of the natural medicine community weighing in with tips on how to prepare the body for vaccination and reduce side effects.

Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!

Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!

Astragalus, or Huang Qi, is a tonic herb that is useful for a variety of conditions characterized by Qi deficiency and sinking Qi:

  • Fatigue, foggy thinking

  • Allergies, including skin conditions and food sensitivities

  • Frequent infections, lowered immunity

  • Diarrhea, loose stools

  • Heavy menses, or depleted blood

  • Poor appetite, weak digestion

Self-Care on the Weekdays

Self-Care on the Weekdays

While I’m sitting here in the office at 5pm on a Monday, the sun is down and city lights are glowing through the window. It makes me realize that I haven’t taken the time today to give myself any attention.

Acupuncture for Migraines

Acupuncture for Migraines

Acupuncture can help redirect blood flow to reduce these patterns of vascular instability.  Acupuncture can also help balance hormones, reduce stress and the inflammation that is an underlying cause.  Then, perhaps with the help of other interventions such as herbs, identification of triggers, and some lifestyle adjustments, migraines can be a thing of the past, or at least greatly reduced. 

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

I remember the first time I learned about the Chinese zodiac and the 12 animals that represent a 12 year cycle.  I had gone to a small Chinese restaurant, sat down with my parents and noticed a bit of information about each of the 12 animals on my paper placemat.  This stuck in my head and returned to me when I began learning more about them once I entered acupuncture school.

For the record, we didn't really learn much about these 12 animals as we studied acupuncture and Chinese medicine.  However, we did learn a lot about '5 element theory', which is the basis for much of the knowledge and prediction made through the Chinese zodiac.