SARA BOWES

I understand what it is like to feel stuck about your health.

I am a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified Chinese herbalist practicing in SE Portland, OR. I’ve been in practice for more than 14 years, and I’ve been immersed in studying natural medicine for close to two decades. My approach to the human body is rooted in the principles of classical Chinese medicine and tailored toward people like you and me: modern humans living modern lives in the western world.

The primarily lens through which I view the human body is classical Chinese medicine. I utilize customized herbal formulations in the tradition of classical Chinese medicine, classical acupuncture as well as trigger point style acupuncture and dry needling, cupping and gua sha, and practical lifestyle guidance and nutrition exploration to help people feel better in their bodies. I also have extensive training in mindfulness-based somatic therapy and interpersonal neurobiology, whole foods nutrition, female hormones, cosmetic acupuncture, and microneedling. My favorite things to treat are digestive issues, menstrual and hormonal issues in women, and pain. I particularly love working closely with women during the perimenopause and menopause transitions.

I work with humans to help identify the root causes and underlying patterns causing them to feel the way they feel. My training has taught me first and foremost to recognize patterns and locate blockages, and to treat accordingly. This way of working with the body can provide satisfying answers to the question of why you feel the way you do. Treatments are simple and safe and lasting (with minimal side effects), because we are treating the root cause rather than just suppressing symptoms.

I understand that many of us have a sense we could feel better in our bodies, but don’t know how to get there. Modern medicine is a godsend and saves lives all day long, yet it doesn’t teach us how to find and maintain health and optimal well-being. Traditional medical systems do. As modern humans, we are often strangers to some of the basic and crucial components that contribute to a healthy life and a comfortable, well-functioning body. Classical Chinese medicine offers a holistic and complete view of the body and guidance on how to care for them in ways that are sustainable and health-promoting. In working with patients for more than 14 years, I have found that much of the suffering we endure is unnecessary and often avoidable. Yes, bodies are mysterious and there is much that cannot be explained. That said, there are often real solutions to the conditions you are experiencing on a regular basis from chronic pain, fatigue, and hormonal issues, to digestive problems, insomnia, and a taxed immune system.

In my off time, I like simple things like blue skies, picnics, and fresh bodies of water to dunk in. I like to cook fresh food that I think of as everyday medicine, and because it gives me a creative outlet and helps me get into my hands and away from the screen. I like moving my body and appreciating small moments and exploring the world with my sweet dog, Osa, and my similarly sweet husband. I’ve recently taken up tennis as my first-ever sport, and I couldn’t be more motivated by the challenge.