Sierra Abate, LAc, Board-Certified Herbalist

Sierra Abate LAc

Sierra is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Board-Certified Herbalist. She graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) where she studied for 4 years, completing over 3,500 hours of rigorous didactic and clinical training including Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Western medicine, and the treatment of hundreds of patients.

Her extensive training has provided Sierra with the skills to treat patients of all ages, as well as an array of ailments including but not limited to pain/injury, digestive issues, sleep problems, stress/anxiety, allergies, weight control, and fatigue. Her training has also provided her with the skills to offer gentle acupuncture approaches, trigger point muscle treatments, and needle-free techniques. She has been thoroughly trained in Traditional Chinese cupping therapy and will often incorporate this into her treatments.

Sierra is passionate about learning new ways to enhance the treatments and experience for her patients. Through this learning she has obtained a special unique skillset for pain relief.

In her free time she enjoys cooking, being in nature, spending time with her animals, and traveling.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Oregon State Licensed Acupuncturist
• California State Licensed Acupuncturist
• Diplomat of Oriental Medicine, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
• Clean Needle Technique Certification

What Is Acupuncture And How Does It Work?

Acupuncture the art and science of placing tiny little filiform needles, no thicker than a hair, in strategic areas of the body, called acupuncture points. This is done to manipulate the natural energy of the body, which Chinese medicine calls “chi”.

The goal is to get this energy to flow smoothly and in balance throughout the entire body. A balanced flow of chi is analogous to optimal health at all levels, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

There have been many theories offered to explain how acupuncture works. Generally speaking there are three basic theories.

The first one is termed “meridian theory”, which states that meridians are pathways throughout the body, and energy flows along these channels. Together they connect and regulate organs and all bodily systems.

The second theory states when you insert acupuncture needles at specific points in the body it stimulates the brain, which in turn produces endorphins, the natural painkillers of the body.

The third theory is acupuncture works together with the nervous system by triggering signals that interrupt pain messages being sent to the brain.

The most exciting current research on acupuncture comes to us from a consortium of Korean scientists. They’ve re-discovered microscopic thread-like anatomical structures that correspond to the traditional layout of acupuncture meridians, or channels.

These meridians, or channels, are no longer imaginary pathways but actual anatomical structures, which until now haven’t been recognized by the medical community.

They’ve been discovered inside blood and lymphatic vessels. They’ve also been seen to form networks, which overlay the internal organs of the body. All-in-all this is just what acupuncture has been pointing out for thousands of years.

One of the reasons these structures have remained in the dark for so long is they’re so small they’re all but transparent, and so thin you can barely see them using a standard surgical microscope.

Make an appointent today and experience the benefits of acupuncture for yourself!