
Frequently Asked Questions
Acupuncture & Elemental Reset™
Portland Traditional Acupuncture | 97221
This is a relationship-based, outcome-focused practice, not a high-volume clinic.
You receive:
Care from one experienced practitioner from start to finish
Longer, unrushed sessions
Treatments that regulate the nervous system, not just manage symptoms
A calm, private environment designed for restoration
Rather than quick visits or standardized protocols, care here is personalized, precise and built for lasting results.
This practice is ideal for people who:
Feel burned out but still functional
Are tired of short-term fixes
Value quality, calm and personal attention
Prefer fewer visits with deeper results
Want care that addresses stress, emotions & the body together
Most clients include:
Women 40–70
Retired and semi-retired professionals
Caregivers
Creatives, educators, healthcare workers & executives
Men & women managing high stress or physical demand
Yes — absolutely.
Many patients are men who live with chronic stress, physical strain or demanding work schedules.
Aja regularly works with men who:
Hold high-stress leadership or executive roles
Are entrepreneurs or consultants working from home
Travel frequently for work & struggle with sleep or fatigue
Serve as firefighters or police officers
Are in addiction recovery & rebuilding physical and/or emotional resilience
Care is direct, grounded and results-oriented — focused on restoring function, sleep and nervous system balance.
Care focuses on injury recovery, stress regulation & whole-person wellness.
Aja Ngo commonly treats:
Repetitive strain injuries
Sports injuries (runners, dancers, performance athletes)
Work-related physical stress (musicians, firefighters, police)
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) rehabilitation
Women’s health & menopausal transitions
Cancer care & oncology symptom support
Addiction treatment & early recovery
Burnout, chronic fatigue & emotional imbalance
Five Element acupuncture for work–life harmony
You do not need a clear diagnosis to begin — feeling depleted, stuck or out of balance is enough.
Yes. This is a core specialty.
Common clients include:
Surgeons and medical professionals with hand, neck or shoulder strain
Musicians with wrist, elbow or upper-back injuries
People in the building trades with chronic joint, knee or back pain
Long-standing tendonitis & nerve irritation
Treatment integrates acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion and movement-informed recovery to support long-term function, not just short-term relief.
The Elemental Reset™ is a signature, extended treatment designed to restore balance to the nervous system, body & emotions.
It is especially helpful if:
Stress is driving your symptoms
You feel exhausted even after rest
You are navigating major life or hormonal transitions
You want deeper, longer-lasting results
Sessions may include:
Scalp shiatsu
Facial gua sha
Foot reflexology
Targeted essential oils
Quiet integration time
Clients often describe it as:
“A full reset — like what rest was supposed to do.”
Five Element acupuncture focuses on the emotional & energetic root causes of symptoms.
It helps:
Reduce stress and overwhelm
Improve sleep
Restore emotional clarity & regulation
Support life transitions
Build resilience & balance
This approach is especially helpful for burnout, anxiety, emotional fatigue and people who feel “off” without a clear medical explanation.
Japanese needling is a gentle, precise style of acupuncture using:
Extremely thin needles
Light touch
Minimal sensation
It is ideal for sensitive patients, first-time clients, people in pain and anyone seeking effective treatment without strong stimulation.
Moxibustion is a warming therapy using the herb mugwort to:
Increase circulation
Reduce inflammation
Improve digestion
Support immune & hormonal balance
Speed injury recovery
It is especially helpful for fatigue, chronic pain, cold sensitivity and menstrual or hormonal concerns.
Gua sha is a hands-on technique using a smooth tool to:
Release muscle tension
Improve circulation
Increase mobility
Reduce inflammation
Break up stagnant tissue
It is commonly used for neck pain, shoulder tension, headaches and repetitive strain injuries.
Cupping uses gentle suction to:
Release tight muscles
Improve blood flow
Clear stagnation
Support detoxification
Speed recovery after physical strain
It is widely used by athletes, first responders, musicians and people with physically demanding jobs.
Targeted essential oil formulas based on Traditional Chinese Medicine are used to:
Support injury healing
Reduce inflammation
Calm the nervous system
Improve circulation
Enhance acupuncture effects
All formulas are natural, plant-based and selected for individual needs.
Yes. Aja has extensive experience treating:
Runners, including marathon athletes
Dancers (15+ years in Argentine tango)
Performance & endurance athletes
Tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain
Shoulder, hip & back injuries
Pre- & post-event recovery
Yes. These professions often experience:
Repetitive strain & overuse
Joint and spinal stress
Sleep disruption
Emotional fatigue
Treatments are tailored to support the physical and emotional demands of these essential careers.
Yes. Acupuncture can help reduce:
Nausea
Fatigue
Nerve pain
Digestive issues
Sleep disturbances
Anxiety & hot flashes
Care focuses on comfort, strength and quality of life, with coordination alongside oncology care when appropriate.
Yes. Natural support is offered for:
Hot flashes & night sweats
Sleep changes
Anxiety or irritability
Fatigue & brain fog
Hormonal shifts
Treatments may include acupuncture, moxibustion, bodywork and lifestyle guidance.
Yes. Aja has clinical experience in:
Urban addiction clinics
Correctional facilities
Detox & early recovery programs
Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, reduce cravings, improve sleep and support emotional stability during recovery.
Most clients feel little to no discomfort.
Techniques are gentle and well-suited for:
Sensitive patients
First-time clients
People recovering from trauma or chronic stress
Many patients fall asleep during treatment.
Your initial appointment includes:
Comprehensive health intake
Discussion of goals
Personalized treatment plan
Your first acupuncture session
Self-care or lifestyle guidance
First visits typically last 120 minutes.
Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes and may include:
Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Gua sha or cupping as needed
Essential oil applications
Ongoing nervous system regulation
Each session is adapted to your current needs.
Many clients notice improvements in pain, stress, sleep, mobility or emotional balance within 1 to 3 sessions. Long-standing conditions may take more time, but progress is typically steady.
Yes. Acupuncture is covered under Oregon PIP (Personal Injury Protection) for motor vehicle accidents. Full documentation and treatment plans are provided to support recovery.
Portland Traditional Acupuncture uses consistent pricing to reflect the time, expertise and individualized care provided during every appointment. Senior patients often require comprehensive intake, medication review and customized treatment planning, which are fully accounted for in our service rates. Instead of discounts, we offer value-based care plans designed to support long-term health, recovery and wellness.
Payment options are simple and transparent.
We accept:
Cash
Check
Venmo
Credit cards
A 3.5% convenience fee applies to credit card payments. Cash, check and Venmo do not incur additional fees.
Payment is due at the time of service.
If you are:
Tired of coping
Ready for meaningful, lasting change
Looking for calm, skilled, individualized care
Then this practice is designed to pay you back in energy, clarity and resilience.