Each new patient acupuncture visit is 90 minutes long. We have you fill out an intake and medical history form ahead of time. This allows us to spend the entire 90 minutes focused on your health concerns.

We spend the first 30-40 minutes doing a thorough intake and assessment. The remainder of the time is reserved for acupuncture.

We talk through everything before we perform the treatment so you know what to expect. You are laying on a comfortable, warm table during the treatment, and draped with comfortable sheets and blankets. It’s very similar to going in for a massage, except you are often completely clothed.

If we are working on a larger area like your back, or leg you are draped with a sheet to ensure your comfort. The treatment is very comfortable to receive and most patients experience deep relaxation once the needles are inserted. If you are comfortable you are left in the treatment room to rest for 15-25 minutes. Needles are removed, and we save time at the end to discuss follow up recommendations, home care, and any herbal medicine prescribing if appropriate.

Acupuncture is almost completely painless. The needles are extremely small, and nothing like the needles used in other medical procedures.

The insertion feels like a tiny pinch, comparable to a mosquito bite, and then once inserted there is no more discomfort. If you have very tender trigger point areas it can feel mildly achy when the needle first goes in, and then the pain begins to rapidly dissipate.

We are experienced working with children and very needle sensitive patients and use very gentle methods. We also offer treatments with no needles!

You can read more about this topic on our blog.

Our main location is in Tigard, near the Bridgeport Village Shopping Center. We are located in the Tiburon Office Park in Suite 102. We are approximately halfway between Durham and Bridgeport Road, on the East side of SW Upper Boones Ferry. Look for the brown Tiburon Office Park sign. We are in the building that is perpendicular to the road. Ot houses suite 102. You may park anywhere, as there are sidewalks, and walking paths that will take you right to the front door from anywhere in the parking lot.

Ancient Fern Medicine NW office is located inside of Studio Blue Pilates at NW 23rd and Pettygrove. There is parking underneath the building that is free for up to 2 hours for patients with appointments.  This lot has a tendency to fill up but there is also on street parking that is metered.

There is a comfortable waiting area with spa water and restroom, and the Studio Blue staff will greet you when you arrive.

The address is 2232 NW Pettygrove, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97210.

Studio Blue is inside of the Pettygrove Medical Building. 

We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to your acupuncture appointment.

Acupuncture is often performed mostly clothed, as long as you are wearing clothing that is easily shifted around to expose the arms and legs. We sometimes perform treatment on the abdomen or back if it is appropriate for your condition.

If you do need to remove any articles of clothing, you are covered with a sheet similar to during a massage session.

We often incorporate a short session of body work such as cupping, gua sha, craniosacral therapy, or massage into your acupuncture sessions.

If more bodywork is desired in conjunction with acupuncture this can be arranged by booking an “extended acupuncture” session that is 90 minutes. This longer session allows more time for these additional modalities.

This is a common question and the answer varies for each individual. We do our best to give you an estimate after your initial visit.

The number depends on many factors like :

• How long have you had this condition?
• Is it a recent injury or a long term chronic condition?
• What is your overall state of health?
• What is your level of commitment to home care and lifestyle changes to address underlying causes?

Acupuncture does produce fast results, but much of it depends on these things.