If you've had a car accident, Acupuncture can also help reduce the post-accident pains associated with whiplash.
From Fall into Winter: How the Seasonal Elements of Chinese Medicine Affect Health, Part 1
… Fall is moving to Winter, Metal to Water. With the seasonal transition of Metal to Water, we have to be aware of the Yang side of the emotion that water will bring if we are not in balance, which is fear. My key personal wisdom about fear is that it’s the projection of negative outcomes onto what is yet unknown. The human mind is wired to be aware of negative possibilities to help it navigate life and remain safe. Because the body only knows threat or non-threat, when the mind’s overrun with too many possibly-negative unknowns, the body begins responding to untrue outcomes. During this seasonal transition, help yourself understand you are safe by…
Tao te Ching: Stanza 23
Easy Habit: Drink 8oz of Water When You Wake Up in the Morning
Women's Health
The practitioners at Acupuncture Center of Portland have a great deal of experience in helping women bring their reproductive system back into balance. This help is available at all stages of a woman’s life using acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Menstruation for some women can be a source of difficulty, inconvenience, or pain. Some of the menstrual problems that can be treated include:
- periods that come too close together or very far apart
- periods that are absent or nearly so
- painful periods
- menstrual flow that is too heavy
- premenstrual symptoms of painful or swollen breasts, abdominal bloating, cramping, or emotional changes such as irritability
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life. But when issues such as morning sickness, low back or hip pain become a problem, we can usually offer significant help.
When becoming pregnant is an issue, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help optimize one’s chances of becoming pregnant and also balance a woman to help those that tend toward miscarriages.
When a woman is near or at the end of her reproductive time, some women expedience difficulties. When menstruation is starting to become irregular and a woman is in perimenopause, she can sometimes have problems of increased pain or bloating, increased premenstrual syndrome, or hot flashes or night sweats. When a woman is fully in menopause, some of these symptoms can persist or become heightened. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help alleviate these symptoms.
Women can also experience unique urinary problems such as frequent urinary tract infections or interstitial cystitis that can also be treated effectively with Acupuncture.
We are well-versed in treating these conditions and would be happy to discuss your concerns and endeavor to help you with your women’s health concerns.
Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Acupuncture® is a specialty within the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Traditional Oriental Medical theory (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc.) is grounded in a system of energetics. Sports Medicine Acupuncture® brings an emphasis on the muscles and other structures, their injuries, and specific treatment. The year-long certification program involves cadaver examination and dissection, study of specific structural and postural patterns as well as coursework in muscular and other injuries, treatment protocols, and aftercare exercises. And then one passes practical certification examination in order to become a Certified Sports Medicine Specialist®.
Dr. Stephens has found this set of tools and techniques to be very valuable in identifying and treating pain, limited movement, and dysfunction for those who are elite athletes, weekend warriors, as well as those aches, pains, or spasms that come upon us suddenly or are insidious and chronic.
You can find out more about Sports Medicine Acupuncture® here.
Pain
Whether you have headaches, back, neck, hip, knee, shoulder wrist, hands feet or any other part that hurts, Dr. Stephens has likely seen it and treated it successfully. Dr. Stephens keeps up on new and innovative techniques in the acupuncture and Oriental medical treatment of pain in addition to studying crossover material from a Western medical understanding of structure and function through his attendance at continuing education workshops, seminars and certification programs. Since receiving his doctorate, he has taken a year-long certification program in Sports Medicine Acupuncture®, and is a Certified Sports Medicine Specialist®. He has taken coursework in manual therapy, and Dr. Stephens uses Neurokinetic Therapy® to help heal recurring patterns of muscular dysfunction.
“I started seeing Eric in 1995. I was having trouble with severe forearm pain and I’d lost the ability to write with my right hand. I’d been to several neurologists including the department head at OHSU. All I got was shrugs and offers of botox injections which had never been tried on forearms at that point. I found Eric in the phone book by chance because he was close to my office. I’ve been a regular patient ever since. He’s treated all my self-induced pains and the effects of aging... I see him at least monthly to let him work his magic.”
Neurokinetic Therapy
Neurokinetic Therapy® is a specialized system of uncovering the patterns of dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system. It’s a window into the motor control center that can keep dysfunctional patterns locked in until the system of imbalances is revealed. Using specialized Manual muscle tests in specific patterns of testing reveal the underlying patterns of dysfunction and NKT points to the structures that need to be treated and in the manner in which they would best respond. This diagnostic process further elevates the abilities of Dr. Stephens in order to help you to feel better.
Learn more about Neurokinetic Therapy®.
Digestion
Digestive problems are a frequent concern, and acupuncture and Chinese herbs can often help significantly. Some of the concerns that are often well treated include stomach problems such as indigestion, bloating, or reflux. Elimination issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), loose bowels or constipation also often respond well to treatment.
Sleep & Mood Disorders
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the foundations of good health and well-being. Unfortunately, many people have chronic issues with sleeping well. Some have trouble with getting to sleep, others can’t stay asleep and find themselves awake in the middle of the night for prolonged times, and there are those who have both types of sleep difficulties. Other difficulties individuals may experience include overly vivid or disturbing dreams on a regular basis, restless leg syndrome, or night sweats. All of these issues can be approached with acupuncture and Chinese herbs to help improve them and get one on the path to a restful night’s sleep.
““ Eric Stephens has helped me over the years with a number of health issues including back pain and energy. He is currently helping me a great deal with insomnia, and that is not because he is a boring person who puts me to sleep! Nothing could be farther from the truth. He manages to keep me laughing while helping me stay healthy.””
Immune Support
People can have various problems with their immune system. Some people seem to be prone to frequent colds and other infections. Helping people boost their immune system is a traditional use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Other individuals have issues with a dysregulated immune system and may have autoimmune disorders such as lupus or scleroderma. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be of help for many individuals who are dealing with these types of issues.
Well Person Care
After experiencing the help they receive from Dr. Stephens' treatments, many patients elect to continue to receive periodic tune-ups at the Acupuncture Center of Portland. People tend to get out of balance periodically and regular well-care helps them feel their best. People who come in for this service come in for a visit most typically once a month, but for some it may be every two or three months. We regularly give our cars tune-ups. Dr. Stephens believes we all deserve care at least as good as we give our cars. Dr. Stephens has many people that have been seeing him regularly for this type of traditional care for many years, even decades, and they remark that their health is the envy of their friends.
Preventative Care: An Interview with Dr. Stephens
View additional video interviews with Dr. Stephens here.