Acupuncture: A calming and healing tradition
Acupuncture is one of many healing modalities that comprise Chinese Medicine’s individualized treatment approach. Acupuncture works by treating specific points along meridians in the body with thin, pre-sterilized disposable needles and/or other adjunctive modalities to alleviate symptoms and promote constitutional health and vitality.
Acupuncture and adjunctive modalities
Circulation of Qi
It is based on the ground that a blockage or disturbance in the flow of the body’s energy, or “qi,” can cause health issues. Acupuncture works by treating specific points along meridians in the body with thin, pre-sterilized disposable needles and/or other adjunctive modalities, to promote health, and alleviate medical problems. Although the use of acupuncture is our primary method of treatment, our licensed acupuncturists may customize other modalities to your treatment to fit your specific health needs.
Moxibustion: Warming the channels
Moxibustion (also referred to as Moxa) is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves the burning of a spongy herb called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris, Ai Ye). Moxa can be used either indirectly or directly along certain channels, points, and various body surfaces. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture needles.
The purpose of moxa is to help strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health. The use of Moxa can help relieve many symptoms including arthritis pain, digestive disorders, gynecological/menstrual disorders, musculo-skeletal pain, insomnia, turning breech babies, internal cold, and many more.

Cupping therapy
Cupping therapy is a practice long used in Chinese Medicine. It can be combined with acupuncture in one treatment, but it can also be used alone. Special cups are placed on the skin creating a suction. The suction creates a negative pressure causing your skin to rise and turn light red-purple as your blood vessels expand. Cupping can loosen muscles and encourage blood flow. Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pain, stiff muscles, muscle spasms, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism/arthritis, improves circulation, and can help relieve bronchial congestion caused by asthma, allergies or colds.
Food as a medicine: a healthy lifestyle
Nutrition has long been held in Chinese medicine as more important than herbal intervention when treating many conditions. Sun Si Miao, a renowned Chinese medicine doctor who carried the title of China’s King of Medicine famously said, “When treating illness, the first step should be dietary therapy. Only when this is unsuccessful should one try herbs.” Along with your treatments, we will discuss the foods that are most supportive of your wellness and metabolism. Drawing on scientific knowledge, we will also discuss how to select and prepare meals based on how they can help your body maintain optimum health.
Traditional manual therapy: pinch and pull
Tuina is a manual therapy that uses Daoist medicine and martial art principles to balance and improve circulation in the body. Tuina is based on the 8 principles of yin, yang, hot, cold, interior, exterior, deficiency or excess. Tuina is similar to deep tissue massage with the added benefit from stretching exercises and concentration on the affected meridians and acupuncture points. It also includes the use of topical pain relieving analgesics and linaments made with chinese herbs and extracts to promote circulation and healing.
Stimulating the acupuncture points
Electro Acupuncture is a technique that combines acupuncture with a small device called an electro machine. This machine produces a micro current using two needles at a time so the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. The machine generates a continuous micro-current where the frequency and intensity can be adjusted. There is only enough stimulation to feel a slight pulsating, tapping or buzzing sensation. Electro Acupuncture can be used to treat neck and back pain, sciatica, knee pain, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder pain, elbow pain, sports injuries and most chronic pain conditions. It is also effective for relieving muscle spasms, neurological disorders, inflammation, swelling and edema.
Some common conditions we treat
Acupuncture has shown to be effective in treatment as well as reducing flair ups in many conditions:
- Insomnia
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Menopause
- Kidney Stones
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Jaw Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Infertility
- Indigestion
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Vertigo
- Cold & Flu
- Colitis
- Arthritis
- Menstrual Disorders
- Fatigue
- Depression
- More..
Testimonials
Motor vehicle accident treatments
“After the car accident, my two daughters and I were in… everyone takes great care to communicate and decide on the best course for optimal healing- tailored for each person, even children. Everyone is great here! Have to say- best acupuncture by far I have ever had. All the massage therapist are wonderful, felt exceptional relief today after my massage with Chad!”
Painless and pain-free
“I have been meaning to try acupuncture for a very long time. Honestly, I have been scared of the idea of the needles. I am so glad I finally decided to try it. Tara was so understanding and took time to ease me into it. I could barely feel the needles once they were in and fell asleep during my treatment. I had such great results and I wish I had tried sooner but better late than never!”
Telling friends
“I found Therapia through my coworkers who go here. They told me how beautiful and relaxing the place is. I began with massages and finally just tried acupuncture for allergies. For the first time since I moved to Portland, I have not been miserable and congested all through Spring! I am recommending this place to everyone now and all the providers and staff are extremely nice and very skilled.”
Natural fertility support
“My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 2.5 years. I came to Therapia feeling hopeless and mostly looking for emotional support around not being able to conceive. I am so happy to say that I am now sitting here writing this with my 1 year old sleeping next to me. I am so grateful for the care, support and help with regulating my cycle. I believe that acupuncture and herbs helped me finally get pregnant!”
Now I can rest
“Thank you for the wonderful acupuncture treatment, I am sleeping so much better since starting acupuncture. I feel better throughout the day and am so much less anxious and stressed out about sleep. I am less agitated and irritable with my family and my digestion issues are a lot better now too that I am sleeping.”
Just what the doctor ordered
“Acupuncture is now my go to for the common cold and body pain. Therapia has changed the way I view health and healing.”