Acupuncture Northwest

first visit was great. The minute you walk in, you know you will get better. Only had one treatment so far, but have high hopes.

Like all of the other 5 star reviews, I just can’t say enough good about Acupuncture NW. After seeking treatment for sciatica through 2 chiropractors with limited results, I was referred to Sarah for treatment. Unfortunately, because she is so good, she books up quickly. Fortunately, her friendly and compassionate staff helped slip me in right away. Sarah factored in everything about my condition (not just the acute and chronic pains and physiology behind it, but all of the realities of my life that affected or were affected by the condition) before recommending a treatment plan. In discussing my situation with her, I felt completely at ease because of Sarah’s nurturing energy (and their spa like atmosphere helps too) while we discussed my situation, allowing us to best get at the whole picture before treating. Also, she deciphered all of my imaging reports (including a half-​completed MRI) in order to best target the treatments. In addition to acupuncture, Sarah thought I could benefit from treatment with a TENS unit to relax some of the muscles causing pain. The combination of acupuncture and TENS has worked wonders with my sciatica. Previous to finding Sarah, I had pursued a myriad of exercises, workouts, chiropractors appointments, dietary changes, etc. enduring several months of the worst chronic pain I’ve ever had without finding significant relief with any of the other modalities. Now, with just a month of Sarah’s combined acupuncture and TENS unit treatments, I’m 90% better and am confidant that I’m quickly headed towards 100%. I have had a variety and plethora of alternative care treatments in Portland with varying success, so I speak with experience when I say Sarah definitely had an impressive level of success treating me for sciatica. I would very highly recommend her to anyone with acute/​chronic pain issues, or just anyone who needs/​wants amazing acupuncture (and/​or TENS) for whatever ails them.

I don’t think I can do justice in expressing how much I love Acupuncture NW. From the lovely office, to everyone that works the desk (all SO nice and helpful), I just feel so lucky to have found them. I have been seeing Sarah Hayes for 4 months now and she is beyond incredible. She is SO good at what she does and is by far the most caring medical professional I have ever worked with. She has managed to take care of and alleviate all I went to her for, and all along the way has been so interested, caring, and kind. She always has time for my questions and concerns and I always leave feeling so much better physically and emotionally. 5 stars isn’t high enough, I give them a 10 :)

I’m giving Sarah a 5 plus. She’s wonderful! Super nice, really took the time to take a thorough history and listen to all that ails me (insomnia), and had a wonderful acupuncture space. Fluffy pillows, zen music, lavender oil– what more could you want. As for acupuncture itself, I’m willing to try anything that involves not taking meds. My friends rave about acupuncture and how relaxing it is so I thought why not. For myself personally acupuncture did not work. I found the very small needles (they’re barely needles really) disconcerting and painful in certain locales. Sarah would move the needles around if it was particularly painful (I’ve had a few surgeries and have a pretty high pain tolerance) but I never really enjoyed the experience or found myself relaxing. Also laying in there for 30 minutes waiting for the magic to happen was not the most pleasant experience.
Sarah once again was awesome and tried to make it work, but alas it was not meant to be. I never walked out feeling relaxed and my sleep unfortunately didn’t improve (I’ve realized the key is not working overnight and swing shifts– brilliant observation on my part if I do say so).
I hate to see my own patients spend unnecessary $$, but I do think any type of complimentary and alternative medicine is definitely worth a try if it means taking less/​no meds and can truly improve your symptoms. If you’re tossing around the idea of acupuncture for whatever ails you I highly recommend Sarah. Its certainly worth a try and I’m thrilled I gave it a chance.

Sarah and her crew are amazing — they can fix your torqued body, your displaced psyche, and everything inbetween. To put it succinctly (rare for the internet, I know, I know), quoth a friend who is also a patient here — «I love that woman. She keeps me sane.»

As an Ironman age grouper (45 – 49) I usually get some type of tendinitis or other ailments every year. I have tried many many therapies to alleviate hamstring ligament tendinitis which usually takes up to six months to heal. I grew tired of the long recovery in traditional therapies and saw acupuncture being administered during the Winter Olympics so figured it was worth a shot. I looked on Unilocal and Google and found Sarah who treats a lot of athletes.
I went in and gave Sarah my history and my recent struggle with hamstring ligament issues. She looked me in the eye and said «I totally got this! You will feel 30−40% better after the initial treatment and should be back in shape after 4 – 5 treatments.» She was spot on and even underestimated my recovery time. Most recently I had significant pain in my right calf a couple weeks after the Portland Marathon and for the first time in many years I had to walk and hobble in the last mile and a half of a regular 6 mile run. After 2 treatments I am back running with no pain. Sarah is my savior and I consider her a very important part of my training regiment. She is truly a professional and has delivered outstanding results for me while taking the time to cover my physical and emotional well being

I’ve been going here for nearly seven years following two motor vehicle accidents and countless physical therapy and chiropractic sessions that didn’t seem to provide much long term relief. After nearly giving up hope on returning to my quality of life, I met Sarah and have never turned back. Following my accidents I never imagined living a life free of pain before I met her.

By having a profession as an athlete and trainer, the wear and tear on my body is tremendous — especially after major surgeries and car accidents.
Stephanie and Sarah have been one of the few constant things I can depend on when my body is struggling to make it. Not only do they help restore me to good health physically, but also mentally and emotionally. My body is always relaxed (in less pain), and my brain is more calm (anxiety) after every session with them. They take the time to get to know their patients, and you can tell they love what they do.
Acupuncture NW is a good constant in my life, and for that I am grateful. It’s a place not only for restoring health, but also great for promoting and maintaining it.

For the past 20 years, I have been on what seemed like a never ending journey to find the ONE practitioner in the Portland area that would first, truly listen to me, and secondly, have the skills necessary to help me achieve my health and wellness goals.
I found that and more in Sarah Hayes. She is unquestionably, the most caring, gifted, thoughtful, and über talented practitioner in this entire area. I feel beyond blessed to have begun working with such an amazing healer. I would gladly give her 10 stars if I could.

Somewhere between looking for the next great brunch spot and a reasonably priced pedicure, a die hard Unilocaler is searching reviews for acupuncturists, I suppose. Hence, this ramble.
if you’re already entertaining the notion of acupuncture you fall into one of two camps: You’re either an experienced patient or you’re new to this.
For the indoctrinated, I can assure you these practitioners know their stuff. They are thorough, thoughtful and professional. I’ve arrived to the table with multiple injuries incurred through a car accident, cross fit and age (not all at once, thankfully). Each time, my pain has subsided, inflammation has decreased and my mobility has increased.
For the newbie (or skeptic), there is no bigger whiner than I. If something is going to hurt, I’ll be nervous about a week and a half before. If I sense discomfort, I will swear like a sailor (although I always envisioned sailors as much more refined). All this to say, I get it if you’re a bit apprehensive about someone sticking needles into your fleshy parts. The feeling itself is subjective, but even pain is not something that lingers in a skilled practitioners hands. At Acupuncture NW, pain is quickly replaced with powerful muscle release and oftentimes, a sense of relaxation and euphoria. At most you’ll feel a momentary prick or muscle ache, but that’s worth the relief that sustains well past your time on the table.
I’m giving Stephanie and Sarah five stars because they take their role as healers seriously and that means creating connections with the souls who inhabit each body that walks through that door. And that’s enough for me to keep showing up.

So thankful for the wonderful service I receive here! Sarah has helped support me through pregnancy, pre-​pregnancy, and overall well-​being. Highly recommended!

My emotional and physical well-​being has benefited from acupuncture and I have Acupuncture Northwest to thank. I have been treated by both Sarah and Stephanie over the last 5 years and they have helped me with a number of ailments and have improved my life in more ways than I can properly describe in a review. I have been helped with digestion, muscle pain, emotional issues, sleep issues, allergies and all the way through a pregnancy and post-​partum recovery. They both are super sweet, caring and knowledgeable. They know the right questions to ask and will get to the root of what can help you feel your best. The office is a great, calming environment and the treatment itself is so relaxing. I always leave the office feeling better than when I walked in and I feel the effects in every aspect of my life. Thank you Acupuncture Northwest!

Since I discovered Acupuncture Northwest four years ago, I’ve referred many people to their services. Friends and coworkers have all reported positive experiences. And Acupuncture Northwest has helped me immensely, with everything from stress and exhaustion to back pain and bone spurs. It’s worth noting that they’ve been able to help/​ease/​fix/​heal my ailments even when my primary care physician couldn’t. The team is professional and the office is relaxing — think private rooms, heated beds, nature sounds and lavender smells. After a session at Acupuncture Northwest, I feel rejuvenated, healthy and happy. I couldn’t recommend a visit more.

Oh Acupuncture Northwest, what would I do without you? I first started seeing Sarah for sciatic pain and was immediately impressed by her compassion towards my unease for taking oodles of drugs. Within three sessions I was walking with no pain and completely free of pain relievers. Being a bit of a skeptic, my doubts were relieved by the physical reaction I could actually feel when Sarah released the muscles in my hip and back. This is real medicine and it is powerful.
A little over a year ago after many, many doctor visits and countless labs, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I went from someone who rarely ever saw the doctor to a Kaiser regular overnight. After being prescribed a ridiculous amount of drugs, some with horrifying side effects, and seeing only a small improvement in my health, I knew I had to seek alternative treatment. Calling Sarah again was the absolute best thing I could have done!
Over the last year I have gone from not being able to make a fist or walk without a wobble, to kickboxing workouts and hiking. With Sarah’s help I have taken back my life and knocked down my long list of medications to only one. Sarah is a bit of a witch doctor, meaning her intuition is off the charts. She has helped me manage my RA in a way that I never knew was possible and I absolutely recommend her for anyone struggling with RA or other chronic pain.
The office is very clean and comforting and I appreciate the recent US Weekly always to be found. I may be into silencing my mind but I still want my gossip as well. Ha.
Bottom line: Give it a try. You’re only cheating yourself if you don’t.

I love Acupuncture Northwest! I have seen Sarah for about 6 months and couldn’t recommend anyone more. I had never been to an acupuncturist before, had no idea what to expect, but was intrigued and willing to try it out after I’d heard rave reviews about Sarah.
Initially, I had expected it to be much like a doctor appointment — straight forward, sterile, in & out. But, what I received was not only highly competent medical attention but an extremely supportive, understanding, and compassionate environment as well. I have complete confidence in Sarah’s abilities as a practitioner and an extreme sense of calm in her presence.
She has helped me immensely and I truly look forward to every appointment.

I do not review very often, but felt that Acupuncture Northwest deserved my time. They provide the highest quality care and I felt the need to share. I originally called to make a appointment after being asking a number of different people about who they went to for acupuncture.
Sarah’s name was brought up on different occasions by several different people (none of which knew each other). I sought out her services because I had been diagnosed with a bone spur in one of my vertebrae and it was causing me a tremendous amount of pain. The doctors had been recommending surgery, but everyone I spoke to who had the surgery talked me out of it. She took compassion on me and squeezed me in even though she really did not have any openings at the time. She helped (and continues) to help me not only with that but a host of other issues.
She is technically proficient and well as being extremely intuitive and caring. I literally cannot imagine my life without her. I know this sounds like a greeting card…
You will be very well taken care of and she can handle a number of different issues from both physical to mental (see stress). Do yourself a favor and go see her or Stephanie. Both are fantastic!!!