Acupuncture

Simply put, acupuncture is inserting tiny tiny little needles on very precise points on the skin that stimulate the body to correct imbalances and improve functioning in the body.

When you come to To The Point PDX, leave what you know about medicine at the door. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine views the body in a different way than your chiropractor, massage therapist or primary care doctor. We see the body as if it's made up of 14 different channels, 365 acupuncture points and we strive to bring balance to your body.

Let us give it to you straight: science proves that it DOES work, but it cannot prove HOW it works.

Some theorize that inserting needles stimulates your immune system. Many studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause biological responses that can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain and in the periphery.

Considerable evidence supports the claim that opioid peptides are released during acupuncture.

Stimulation by acupuncture may also activate the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Single Treatment

$255 per visit for first-time patients to To The Point PDX

$210 for follow-up acupuncture treatments

Package Pricing

Pack of 6 acupuncture treatments: $1,050.00

Pack of 10 acupuncture treatments: $1,700.00

All our providers are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and PacificSource.

Christina Lambert, LAc. is also in-network with Aetna.

We can provide superbills for reimbursement from other insurance companies.

If you have questions or want us to check your benefits, please call 503.705.6637 or email fara@tothepointpdx.com

What’s the difference?!?!

Good question. While both dry needling and acupuncture involve the use of needles, they differ in their underlying principles and applications.

Dry needling is a technique that focuses on targeting trigger points in muscles to relieve pain and improve muscle function. It works by inserting a thin filament needle into the trigger point to stimulate a twitch response and release tension in the muscle.

On the other hand, acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and aims to restore the balance of energy, or qi, in the body. It involves inserting needles into specific acupuncture points along energy channels to promote healing and alleviate various health conditions.

Dry Needling

Goal of the treatment: to release trigger points (active or latent) that inhibit normal muscle movement.

Points are identified by physical exam or by specific palpation.

Needles: To The Point PDX uses the gold-standard of needles for dry needling procedures. These solid, stainless steel needles are sturdier than typical acupuncture needles and are tripled polished to ensure a smooth insertion experience for the patient.

In a dry needling treatment, there is no needle retention. The procedure does not call for a needle to sit in the skin.

The needling techniques used by the To The Point PDX providers in a dry needling treatment are specific to dry needling techniques taught by Myopain Seminars.

To The Point PDX providers are certified to treat all body parts, including muscles of the neck and chest muscles.

Dry needling appointments last 20-30 minutes.

Conditions may take 6-10 treatments to resolve.

Acupuncture

Goal of the treatment: to restore the energy of the body using “Qi”.

Points are defined by the texts of Chinese Medicine. All 365 acupoints are found on the body by using a measurement length called a “cun”. A “cun” is proportionate to the width of the patient’s thumb.

Needles: To The Point PDX uses Serin needles — solid, stainless steel needles that are much thinner than dry needling needles and often coated with silicon to ensure painless insertion.

The providers at To The Point PDX are trained and licensed acupuncturists with doctoral degrees from Chinese Medicine educational institutions.

Acupuncture appointments are 40 minutes long and include 20-40 minutes of resting with the needles inserted.

Acupuncture is the best used for the following conditions: digestive upset, stress reduction, smoking cessation, fertility irregularities, menstrual pain.

If you feel like you are “sensitive” to needles, an acupuncture treatment will suit you better than a dry needling appointment.

Conditions may take 10-20 treatments to resolve.

Acupuncture is not dry needling. Dry needling is not acupuncture. Acupuncturists are not taught the dry needling technique during their 2,000 hour training requirements. Dry needling is not acupuncture. Physical therapists and chiropractors are not taught acupuncture techniques in their educational programs.

To The Point PDX houses the top experts at dry needling in Portland. Our providers are also locally and nationally recognized as top providers of Chinese medicine and dry needling.