Skip to main content
New patients please call 541-535-5082
Book Appointment
New patients please call 541-535-5082

Acupuncture and Herbs

First Appointment

At your first appointment, we will conduct a detailed health history and evaluation to identify your health concerns and goals. During this first visit we allow extra time for us to become familiar with who you are, while also answering any questions you have and addressing your concerns. Our first interview typically is 45 minutes in length. We gather information from your health history, our personal interview, the techniques of pulse and tongue diagnosis, and body palpation to help us formulate an individualized Chinese medical diagnosis.

After determining your diagnosis, we develop a clear treatment plan that may include the modalities of acupuncture, herbal medicine, shiatsu or tui na massage, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle recommendations.

During your treatment, sterile, ultra-fine needles (about the width of a human hair) are placed at specific acu-points on the body. Our clinic uses only the highest quality, single-use disposable needles. It is typically not necessary to undress during a treatment, as most needles can be inserted with only an adjustment of loose-fitting clothing. Typically, some needles are inserted into areas of the body that are directly experiencing pain or problems, while others will be inserted in other areas of the body related to the overall pathology. Each treatment is different, but the needles are generally retained for 20-40 minutes.

During treatment, you will feel a light tap when the needles are inserted . After the insertion, you may experience sensations of warmth, heaviness, tingling, or pressure at the site of the needle, or along the energy meridian. These sensations are normal, desirable and typically come and go during treatment; eventually dissipating into a feeling of deep relaxation. This deep relaxation is a sign that the body’s natural healing mechanisms have been activated. Most people leave acupuncture feeling a improved sense of well-being and calmness.

Follow-Up Treatment

Follow-up treatments are an hour in length, and include a brief check in on progress, acupuncture, and other appropriate modalities.

In general, we consider a course of acupuncture sessions to range from 4-8 visits. The best results are achieved when sessions are scheduled close together and the given recommendations are followed. Acute issues are best treated 2x per week for a period of 1-2 months and more chronic issues can be treated once a week for 1-3 months. Our goal is to provide you with a clear treatment plan and to achieve our desired results within this timeline. At the end of a established treatment plan we reevaluate a patient’s situation and determine if we are achieving the desired results. If we are not meeting your health goals we will look to refer you to other health care practitioners who may be able to better address the problem.

A majority of our patients continue to come in for regular follow-up treatments. These “tune-ups” are typically recommended 1x per month or with the changing season. These treatments help to keep the body in optimal health and to treat the smaller things that come up, preventing them from becoming bigger issues. Periodic acupuncture is a very supportive therapy for prevention of disease and maintaining optimal health.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

chinese herbal medicineDuring your first visit we may recommend the use of Chinese medicinal herbs in addition to acupuncture. Herbs allow us to achieve better healing results, continuing the treatment beyond the clinic.

Chinese herbal medicine is a very ancient practice that has been developed over thousands of years. During this time, herbalists have carefully observed, documented, and educated others about their findings. This has allowed the ancient art to evolve and adapt with the changing times. Chinese herbal medicine continues to be an effective healing modality in today’s world.

Chinese herbal medicine is a completely natural, powerful, and effective form of medicine. It combines the use of various natural substances: roots, berries, flowers, seeds, bark, leaves, stems, minerals, and even some animal/insect components. The special combination of these substances is based on the careful diagnosis your practitioner makes based on your condition. This diagnosis allows them to refer to one of the many hundreds of herbal formulas that have been passed down through time.

After selecting the appropriate formula for you, a well-trained herbalist will then modify or tailor the formula to fit your exact condition. Formulas generally contain between 6 to 18 herbs, and are carefully balanced in their various properties to bring safe and effective results.

Herbal medicine offers an effective alternative to prescription medication without the high costs or side effects. Today this medicine is used to treat many common diseases, such as digestive problems, IBS, anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, menstrual complaints, hot flashes, allergies, cancer, and HIV. In our practice we use herbs to address the root cause of disease as well as any accompanying symptoms. Herbs are used to promote the body’s own healing capacity, enhancing immune system function, replenishing depleted reserves and promoting your overall well-being. Herbal medicine continues to provide humanity with a healing tool that employs the amazing power of nature. All of our herbs come from trusted sources, and are third-party tested to ensure the highest purity and quality available.

Herbs can be prepared and given in many forms. At Middleway we provide herbal medicine in the form of granules, capsules, and tinctures.

granule herbs

GRANULE HERBS

are powdered herbal concentrates. The herbs are cooked down and sprayed onto a starch (potato). The powdered herbs are mixed together into a formula that is created specifically for each individual patient. The patient mixes the powdered formula into hot water and drinks.

herbal pill supplements

PILLS

are pre-made formulas that come in the form of small, easy-to-take pills.
herbal tinctures

TINCTURES

are a solution of soluble plant constituents in a solvent (alcohol or glycerin). They are in a small glass bottle and are taken orally via a dropper.

Our other tools

In addition to acupuncture and herbs we also utilize the following techniques for the most effective treatment:
shiatsu massage for wellness

SHIATSU MASSAGE

is a Japanese form of bodywork, rooted in ancient Chinese techniques dating as far back as 5000 years. Long before the use of needles existed in Asian medicine, people used their hands, thumbs and fingers to press points in an effort to treat pain, imbalance, and disease. Shiatsu integrates the depth of Chinese medical theory with a healing touch. Shiatsu manually stimulates the meridian system using thumb pressure to relieve blockages.
tui na massage for wellness

TUI NA MASSAGE

works by creating movement and blood flow in places where blockages have formed. These blockages starve tissues of the nutrients they need to recover from everyday activities and traumas. Tui Na combines elements of massage with stretching and range of motion techniques, which can encourage bones to normalize their positions without fast-motion chiropractic adjustments. When our bones and muscles are in the correct position the blood flow in our joints and tendons is restored.
nutritional counseling to include rainbow of fruits and vegetables

NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING

We offer guidance on eating optimally for your individual constitution, based on Eastern and Western nutritional knowledge.
lifestyle guidance for wellness

LIFESTYLE GUIDANCE

Recommendations for exercise, stretches, meditation—whatever seems missing in the whole health picture.

If you are ready to feel healthier and more at ease, then call our clinic today so we can discuss your healthcare needs and set up your first appointment:

541-535-5082

Get Directions

“I had numbness on the outer aspect of my leg, as well as foot drop. I couldn’t lift up my toes. I had shooting pains in the back of my left leg and tingling. I also had digestive problems and some depression. I was drawn to Middleway Medicine, and then my physical therapist suggested I try acupuncture with Clark. My energy level increased dramatically, and I felt happiness I haven’t felt in years. Gradually over the course of my treatments my sciatica symptoms are resolving, and my digestion is better. I couldn’t be more pleased with my progress.”

R.W., Medford OR

MORE TESTIMONIALS