FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General FAQ's

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.

Pricing & Packages FAQ's

Billed rates for our services are informed by Oregon Workers Compensation Fee Schedule

Codes We Commonly Bill and Rates*

  • 97810 (Initial 15 mins of acupuncture without e-stim) $90.00
  • 97811 (additional 15 mins of acupuncture without e-stim) $55.00
  • 97813 (Initial 15 mins of acupuncture with e-stim) 95.00
  • 97814 (Additional 15 mins of acupuncture with e-stim) 60.00
  • 97140 (Manual Therapy) 40.00
  • Office Visit Codes according to Length of Visit and Complexity (99202, 99203, 99204, 99212, 99213, 99214)

If we are billing your insurance, the amount you will owe is based upon the specific contracted rate for your specific plan. This varies widely between companies and plans. 

For cash pay patients without insurance coverage, the cost of your visit is based upon the services performed. Services performed are billed according to the same fee schedule. 

We offer free 15 min consults to ask questions about services and billing. During these consults we can provide an estimate for the cost of your visit based on the expected level of service. 

We provide the highest quality holistic healthcare and stand firmly by our quality of care.

We do not offer refunds on services that have already been provided. That being said, if you enter into a treatment plan and are unable to complete the number of sessions you have purchased, we will work with you to find a resolution or partial refund.

We encourage you to communicate about any struggles you encounter throughout your treatment process.

We deeply want you to succeed and be well and happy!

We currently bill health insurance for acupuncture and some bodywork services. Coverage varies widely and depends on your specific plan. 

We DO Take the following Insurance Companies: 

-United healthcare, Regence BCBS, Moda, providence, OHP Care OR (for pain management only), MVA-motor vehicle claims, Worker’s Comp Claims, and some others listed here. 

We are NOT contracted with:

-Aetna, Cigna, American Speciality Health, Kaiser Permanente/CHP

*Please note that insurance benefits must be verified prior to your initial visit. Benefits quoted are NOT a guarantee of payment and patients are financially responsible for all services not reimbursed by their insurance plan. 

Schedule a free 15 minute consult to get all of your questions answered.

"Sarah has been the kindest and most caring soul I have ever met. I have been through many doctors with a complicated health situation.

The first visit I had she took me in and cared for me as if I were a family member. She is very gentle and listens very meticulously. I wouldn't go to anyone else after seeing her. Over the past few months, I've started to see improvement. She has been an incredible encouragement. I recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled and caring acupuncturist."

Tana

Hubbard, OR

I spent 10 years on birth control pills; hormone production did not come back when I discontinued using them. I took bio-identical hormones for a few years, but ovulation didn’t occur. Had my period in 36 days using only your herbal support. After less than 90 days (3 cycles) taking the herbs you provided, I conceived. I recommend this method to anyone.

M.F.

Manager of a Business Development Center (Overland Park, KS)

Tim Nelson, L.Ac. has been a godsend to me. As a cancer survivor and joint replacement recipient, I rely on regular visits for ongoing care and maintenance. He takes time to listen carefully to my words and their underlying currents and meanings. And I appreciate his ability and skill in both being able to offer a variety of treatments, and to explain how what he is doing is bringing balance to my body. Some of his treatments include acupuncture, cupping, Chinese herbs and salves, heat, massage, and meditation. I must say that I have never been in better health than these past few years of being under his care.

J.K.

Teacher, Portland, OR

"As an active trainer in the aerial arts and hand balancing I put my body through a lot on a daily basis. My visits with Sarah at Ancient Fern have become an absolute necessity!  Her needle work and cupping always calm my angry muscles and her herbal concoctions were a miracle worker on my angry digestion issues. She even helped me sort out some confusing insurance hiccups along the way! Appointments with Sarah always leave me feeling calm and grounded and I've already sent several of my friends her way!"

Sarah M.

athlete, circus and movement arts enthusiast

"I have some complex physical issues. The team at Ancient Fern have helped me skillfully navigate my path to health. They are extremely knowledgeable in acupuncture and natual medicine. They have supported me with my chronic knee pain, back issues and general health challenges. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone."

Ron

Owner of a Web Development Company, Portland, OR

"Tim Nelson is warm, intuitive and an incredibly good listener. That he is then able to parlay that into effective treatment makes his perspective on healing in actuality a blueprint for living. Lucky me!"

Michael

Child Advocate, Rancho Mirage, CA

"I have been seeing Tim off and on for the last year or so for various treatments. Every Spring and Summer I am pretty debilitated by my allergies. This season, with Tim’s help I didn’t have any major issues and was able to minimize the amount of medications that I would typically have to take. Additionally, Tim has helped me get back to work from a very painful neck injury. He does a great job of listening and asking pointed questions to get to the root of issues.

Tim takes time to talk to you about your concerns and expectations, and does a great job treating you holistically rather than just chasing symptoms."

Bill

Nurse, Portland, OR