Treatment Services

Treatment Services

Since 1983, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) has been committed to providing the highest level of affordable acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment to our patients. OCOM's three Portland clinics are training sites for our master's and doctoral interns, who are supervised by licensed acupuncturists. In Oregon, acupuncturists are not considered primary care doctors. Therefore, we highly recommend that all clients have a primary care doctor before seeking treatment; in certain cases, clients may be asked to see a doctor before being treated in our clinics. The information below is meant to aid prospective clients in making the best health care decisions possible.

OCOM's clinics do not provide care for clients seeking drug or alcohol treatment.

If clients wish to reduce or stop medications, they must first consult with their prescribing doctor and obtain written verification.

Clients seeking treatment for mental health complaints may be required to undergo assessment or release counseling or provide psychiatric records prior to treatment.

All pregnant clients must have an obstetric care provider during their pregnancy. Examples of acceptable providers include OB/GYN specialists, mid-wives and naturopathic physicians. Clients seeking services for initiating labor or with breech presentations will be referred to appropriate practitioners outside of OCOM's clinics.

Clients with diabetes-related complications — including uncontrolled blood sugar — are required to continue care with their primary care physician.

Treatment Modalities

While OCOM is best known for providing affordable acupuncture, our interns and licensed acupuncturists offer a wide variety of therapies at our on-campus clinic and additional community locations. Please see individual location pages to determine their clinical offerings.

Acupuncture – In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are acupuncture points on the body connected by pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists insert very thin needles into the skin at different acupuncture points to access and redirect the qi.

Chinese Herbal Medicine utilizes natural substances such as leaves, roots, bark, flowers, fruit and minerals. In TCM, Chinese herbs are usually administered as a formula to balance the patient's energy.

Tuina (pronounced twee_NAH) is a Chinese style of massage utilizing techniques like kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking and stretching to treat musculoskeletal problems and improve the functions of channels, internal organs, tendons, bones and joints.

Shiatsu is a Japanese style of massage that seeks to enhance the flow of qi by stimulating pressure points with fingers, hands and arms.

Moxibustion is an external heat therapy using the herb Aiye (mugwort), also known as moxa, which is used to heat and tonify the body.

Gua Sha involves stimulation of the skin by scraping it with a broad, flat instrument, increasing qi and blood flow to the area.

Electro-acupuncture – Electrodes are clipped to the acupuncture needles and a very low current is passed through the needles to stimulate the body.

Cupping is a suction therapy used to draw out pathogens and increase qi and blood flow to an area.