Holistic Acupuncture & Integrative Healing Modalities in NW Portland
Explore Our Offerings
At Alexis Lively Acupuncture in NW Portland, we offer integrative acupuncture and holistic therapies designed to support the nervous system, restore balance, and align the body with its natural healing intelligence. Each modality is thoughtfully selected to address physical concerns while supporting deeper regulation, clarity, and resilience, creating results that are both tangible and long-lasting.
-
Acupuncture is a manual therapy that involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points along the body to achieve therapeutic results. Acupuncture activates the nervous system to release endorphins, increases blood circulation, and treats many health conditions.
-
Cosmetic acupuncture is an all-natural, non-toxic procedure that reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves facial elasticity, and brightens the complexion. Facial gua sha, Micro-current therapy and LED light therapy are included in these comprehensive treatment sessions.
-
Holistic micro-needling is an elevated aesthetic treatment that stimulates the body’s self healing response and nourishes the skin from the inside out. Micro-needling is performed with pure hyaluronic acid serum and deeply hydrating apple stem cell serum.
-
Facial gua sha is a sculpting technique that tones facial muscles, eases tension, and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Using our signature tool, the face is gently massaged to enhance circulation and encourage a naturally refreshed, contoured look.
-
Facial gua sha is a sculpting facial massage that gently tones and refines the facial muscles, softens fine lines, and releases deeply held facial tension. Using our signature tool and intentional technique, this treatment increases circulation, encourages a lifted appearance, and leaves the face feeling relaxed, open, and visibly refreshed.
-
Glass Fire Cupping is a manual therapy that promotes healthy blood circulation, relieves muscular pain and tension, increases muscle recovery speed, promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, releases toxins from the body, and improves immune system and respiratory function.
-
LED light therapy stimulates the skin’s production of collagen, naturally. The results are smooth and plump skin, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and reduced redness and discoloration. LED light therapy can also help reduce pain and prevent acne breakouts.
-
Microcurrent therapy is a gentle, low-level electrical treatment that works by sending subtle electrical impulses into the skin and underlying facial muscles. These currents mimic the body’s own natural bioelectric signals and help stimulate cellular activity, circulation, and muscle tone without discomfort.
When microcurrent therapy is paired with hyaluronic acid, the treatment becomes even more effective. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that attracts and holds water, helping to deeply hydrate and plump the tissue. During microcurrent treatment, the gentle electrical currents help encourage better absorption and distribution of hyaluronic acid into the skin, supporting improved hydration, elasticity, and a smoother, more luminous appearance.
Together, microcurrent and hyaluronic acid support the skin on a cellular level by encouraging collagen and elastin activity, improving circulation, and enhancing moisture retention. The result is skin that looks more lifted, refreshed, and hydrated, while still feeling natural and subtle rather than overdone.
-
Electro-stimulation, often called e-stim, is a technique used in acupuncture where a mild electrical current is applied to the needles after they are placed. The current is very gentle and rhythmic, and most people experience it as a soft pulsing or tapping sensation rather than anything painful.
E-stim enhances the effects of acupuncture by providing continuous, consistent stimulation to specific points and muscle groups. This can help deepen the therapeutic response by encouraging circulation, relaxing tight or spasmed muscles, and supporting the nervous system’s ability to regulate pain and inflammation. Because the stimulation is sustained, e-stim is especially useful for conditions involving chronic pain, muscle tension, nerve-related symptoms, and areas that benefit from longer activation.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, e-stim helps move qi and blood more effectively through the channels, particularly in areas that feel stuck or resistant to treatment. From a biomedical perspective, it can encourage the release of endorphins, improve local blood flow, and support neuromuscular communication.
Overall, e-stim allows acupuncture to work more deeply and efficiently while remaining gentle and well tolerated, making it a valuable option for both physical healing and nervous system regulation.
-
Moxibustion is a traditional therapy used alongside acupuncture that involves the gentle warming of specific acupuncture points using moxa, an herb made from dried mugwort. The warmth penetrates deeply into the tissues, creating a soothing and therapeutic heat that many people find deeply relaxing.
In Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used to strengthen and warm the body, support circulation, and encourage the smooth flow of qi and blood. It is especially helpful for patterns involving cold, deficiency, fatigue, digestive weakness, hormonal imbalance, and chronic pain that improves with warmth. Rather than stimulating with needles alone, moxa adds a nourishing, restorative quality to the treatment.
From a modern perspective, the heat from moxibustion can help increase local circulation, relax muscles, and calm the nervous system. It may also support immune function and overall vitality by gently signaling the body to restore balance.
Moxibustion can be applied in several ways, including warming acupuncture needles, holding the moxa near the skin, or using it over larger areas such as the abdomen or lower back. Treatments are always carefully controlled to ensure comfort and safety, creating a deeply grounding experience that supports both physical healing and overall wellbeing.
-
Sound therapy with crystal singing bowls is a meditative healing practice that uses the pure tones and vibrations of quartz crystal bowls to gently influence the nervous system and the body’s energy field. When the bowls are played, they produce sustained frequencies that can be felt not only through hearing but also through subtle vibration throughout the body.
From a nervous system perspective, crystal bowl sound therapy helps shift the body out of stress and into a parasympathetic, restorative state. The sound waves encourage the brain to slow down, often moving into alpha or theta brainwave patterns associated with deep relaxation, healing, and emotional processing. Many people experience a sense of calm, spaciousness, or clarity during and after a session.
When paired with acupuncture, sound therapy becomes especially powerful. Acupuncture works through the meridians and nervous system to regulate the body from the inside, while sound therapy helps soften mental resistance and deepen relaxation. As the body settles into stillness with the needles in place, the vibrational frequencies of the crystal bowls can help the treatment sink in more fully, allowing qi and blood to move with greater ease.
Together, acupuncture and crystal bowl sound therapy support both physical and emotional layers of healing. The combination can enhance stress relief, support nervous system regulation, and create a more immersive, restorative experience. Many patients find that pairing sound therapy with acupuncture helps them feel more grounded, open, and deeply supported, leaving the session feeling calmer, clearer, and more integrated.