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Portland Five Element Acupuncture & Wellness Blog

Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture
Water - Winter

Nothing to Fear But Fear: The Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture

Fear and Fearlessness: The Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture The Water Element in Five Element acupuncture theory embodies the season of Winter and the will to endure through hardship, both in nature and in the human spirit. A robust Water Element within gives us the resolve to face unthinkable fears that threaten our basic survival. The legendary phrase, “Nothing

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castor oil
Health Tips

Easy & Safe Pain Relief at Home with a Castor Oil Pack

What is a Castor Oil Pack? A castor oil pack is a safe, comfortable and inexpensive home treatment for relieving many kinds of pain. It is often recommended for premenstrual pain, digestive problems, and joint inflammation. To make a castor oil pack, soak a piece of wool or cotton flannel in castor oil, and place over the affected body region.

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Image of a woman lying on the couch with stomach pain related to GERD.
Acupuncture

Heartburn: Acupuncture and Wellness Methods to Heal the Gut

If you experience frequent or chronic gut or intestinal issues, you’re not alone. Approximately 50% of Americans suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most people believe these conditions are caused by the overproduction of stomach acid, but they are actually the result of the back-up of stomach contents and acid into the esophagus. Unfortunately, most prescription and over-the-counter

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Image of two cups of herbal tea, used for avoiding colds and flu and serve as effective prevention and wellness helpers.
Health Tips

Avoiding Colds & Flu Naturally

Here are some practical ways to stay healthy and avoid colds and flu, during the winter season and throughout the year. These immune-boosting strategies will undoubtedly serve you well and help you recover faster if you do come down ill. Slow Down & Stay Warm The best way to set the stage for overall health is to listen to your

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Image of a woman receiving Zero Balancing bodywork as treatment for motor vehicle accident trauma and injury.
Health Tips

Treating Motor Vehicle Accident Trauma & Injury with Acupuncture, Herbs & Bodywork

If you’ve ever been in an automobile accident, you know that aches and pains may manifest after the initial shock wears off and can persist for months or even years afterward. What can you do when you must return to your daily activities and responsibilities but are still plagued by chronic pain? Acupuncture, herbs, and bodywork may be the solution

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A smoky landscape, like that of the Columbia River Gorge this summer during the massive Eagle Creek fire.
Earth - Late Summer

Fire, Ash, Earth: Late Summer in Portland & the Eagle Creek Fire

Five Elements, Portland and the Eagle Creek Fire Late Summer in Portland (the Earth Element) has brought us face-to-face with the Five Element cycle in the rawest form. As the Eagle Creek fire in Columbia River Gorge continues to burn, we see at play the fundamental energy of the creation or “sheng” cycle of Five Element theory. The ancient Chinese saw the Wood

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Image of a woman receiving acupuncture on her back as a treatment for chronic back pain.
Health Tips

Acupuncture & Non-Drug Therapies: First-Line Treatment for Chronic Back Pain

If you’ve suffered from back and neck aches or other types of chronic pain, you’ve likely tried pharmaceutical drugs to alleviate your symptoms. These short-term solutions and their side-effects can be just as frustrating as the condition causing your pain. Furthermore, their potential long-term effects, such as addiction, drug resistance, or liver damage, might actually be worse than the pain

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Food & Recipes

7 Whole Foods for Natural Allergy Relief in Portland

Allergy season in Portland begins in the spring but often continues well into summer, shifting from tree pollen to ragweed and grass. If you are still experiencing the frustrating effects of seasonal allergies, here are some healthy foods you may want to incorporate into your diet for natural allergy relief. The key is to eat anti-inflammatory and immune-balancing foods, which

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An image of a typical oyster mushroom found in the Portland area.
Food & Recipes

The Mighty Oyster Mushroom in Portland’s Forests: Culinary, Medicinal, Cleansing

Portland’s Local Chinese Herbal Medicinal Mushroom: the Oyster Mushroom There’s a mighty mushroom that Chinese herbal medicine has used from ancient times, growing right here in Portland. Most people associate Spring in Portland with blooming azaleas and rhododendrons. This fantastic forest native gets overlooked – the oyster mushroom! On your next forest hike, take a closer look at dead logs and

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Wood - Spring

Cosmic Reboot: Spring and the Wood Element

Part I: The Essence of Wood Energy There’s a special, sensual delight when the first signs of Spring appear. Light returns and life awakens. The darkness and dormancy of Winter departs. Trees bud out. Seeds burst from their pods. Birds return. Young creatures are born. The transition from Winter to Spring – from Water to Wood – is perhaps the

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  • The office of Inner Works Acupuncture will be closed from September 5 to September 14, 2020, for a week holiday.

    If you send us a message, please excuse a delay in response. We will respond after Sept. 14.

    Thank you for your patience.