Acupuncture for PTSD Support in Portland
PTSD isn’t just something that lives in your mind, it can sit deep in the body. It can shape how you sleep, breathe, react, and relate to the world. At Inner Sanctuary Wellness in Portland, we offer care that understands this.
Our trauma-informed acupuncture is gentle, grounded, and built around safety. Whether your trauma is new or something you’ve carried for years, we meet you with steady support—no rush, no pressure.
How Acupuncture Supports the Body After Trauma
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, trauma shakes things loose and locks things down. It can block circulation, unsettle digestion, keep your system on edge, and disturb rest.
Acupuncture helps shift that. Not by digging into the story but by guiding your body toward a calmer rhythm.
It can help by:
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Soothing your fight-or-flight response
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Easing panic or anxiety
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Supporting steadier sleep and digestion
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Helping muscles release long-held tension
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Restoring a feeling of connection to your body
It’s not meant to replace therapy but it can hold space for what your body’s been holding onto.
Care That Respects Your Boundaries
Trauma affects everyone differently. So we build care that stays flexible. You decide what feels safe. You can always pause. And you never have to explain anything you don’t want to.
Our approach includes:
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Choice in how we start, what techniques we use, and how long we go
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Gentle acupuncture, acupressure, or no-needle options
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A quiet space with soft lighting and warmth
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Practitioners trained in trauma awareness, emotional grounding, and body-based healing
Sometimes people come just to rest. That’s allowed, too.
What Symptoms Can Be Eased
People with PTSD often come to us with other symptoms, not always tied to the trauma in obvious ways.
We often support:
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Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
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Tension that won’t let up
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Mood swings, panic, or unease
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Gut issues that don’t seem to make sense
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A sense of being shut down or too overwhelmed to function
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Ongoing fatigue
You don’t need the “right words.” We follow what your body shows us and respond with care.
What Sessions Look Like
The first visit is slow and gentle. You share only what feels okay. We listen, then suggest a starting place together.
A typical plan might include:
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Weekly acupuncture to support emotional and nervous system balance
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Optional herbal blends for sleep or stress
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Gua sha or soft bodywork to help your body feel safe again
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Time to rest and regroup
Every session builds from the one before. Always at your speed.
Is Acupuncture Safe for PTSD?
Yes. When it’s done by someone trained in trauma care, acupuncture is a safe way to settle the body and build emotional steadiness.
Some people feel sleepy or tender after a session. That’s common and it usually fades fast. If you’re already working with a therapist or doctor, we’re happy to work alongside them.
Healing Doesn’t Have to Be Done Alone
Trauma recovery isn’t a straight path. It loops, it pauses, it stirs things up. But it can also soften.
If you’re looking for a space where your body is welcome just as it is — we’re here.
Reach out to schedule a session. Or just ask questions. No expectations.
Other Health Conditions We Treat At Inner Sanctuary Wellness
Services We Offer To Help You Heal
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