A woman is lying on a massage table with her eyes closed while Jennifer Peterson of Current Wellness in Portland, Oregon is gently holding her with one hand on her chest. She is performing manual therapy on the patient.

Acupuncture

A well-researched therapy for pain, nervous system regulation, and whole-body support.

Acupuncture is one of the most studied integrative therapies available, with a clinical record spanning thousands of years and a growing body of modern research. At Current Wellness, it's applied with the same precision and individualization as every other modality, calibrated to your specific condition, history, and treatment goals.

How it Works

Fine, sterile needles are inserted at specific points along the body's meridian pathways to restore the smooth flow of qi (vital energy) and activate the body's own regulatory systems. From a modern physiological standpoint, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, reduces inflammatory markers, improves circulation, and prompts the release of endogenous pain-relieving compounds.

The two frameworks, classical and contemporary, aren't in conflict. They describe the same phenomenon from different vantage points. Jennifer draws on both to inform where she places needles and why.

A white stone with acupuncture needles inserted on or near it, with blurred white flowers and soft lighting in the background.

What to Expect

After a thorough intake, you'll lie comfortably on the treatment table while needles are placed at relevant points. Most patients feel little to nothing during insertion. What follows is typically 20 to 40 minutes of rest while the treatment works. Many patients fall asleep.

Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes for new patients, shorter for established patients depending on what's being addressed. Acute conditions may respond in a few sessions. Chronic or complex conditions generally benefit from a series of treatments over several weeks, with progress reassessed regularly.

Common questions about acupuncture are answered below.

Conditions acupuncture is commonly used for:

  • Acute and chronic pain

  • Migraines and headaches

  • Nerve pain and neuropathy

  • Disc herniations and spinal conditions

  • Post-surgical recovery

  • Fibromyalgia and central sensitization

  • Hormonal imbalance and menopause

  • Fertility support

  • Digestive complaints

  • Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions

  • Anxiety and stress-related patterns

  • Fatigue and adrenal dysregulation

This list isn't exhaustive. If you have a condition not listed here, reach out and Jennifer can help you understand whether acupuncture is appropriate for your situation.

Acupuncture at Current Wellness

Acupuncture rarely works in isolation. Jennifer often combines it with FSM, manual therapy, herbal medicine, and targeted supplementation based on what your health calls for. The sequencing matters: acupuncture opens pathways, FSM addresses tissue-level inflammation, and natural therapeutics support the internal environment where healing actually happens.

For patients with complex or chronic conditions, this layered approach consistently produces outcomes that a single modality doesn't.

QUESTIONS & RESOURCES

Acupuncture: Common Questions

Answers to the questions people ask most, and other helpful resources.

Want to find out if acupuncture can help you?

The first step is a conversation. Jennifer will review your history and help you understand what treatment might look like.