The Qi Spot

I just got done with my first ever acupuncture/​cupping appointment and I feel fantastic! Wade was super helpful and explained everything so even a newbie like me understood what he was doing while he did it. My back feels better than it has in awhile. I’ll definitely be back!

I’ve been seeing Wade for over two years and notice a difference every time I visit. He makes me feel comfortable and listened to. I’ve come to find that he is truly passionate about his practice and the wellbeing of his patients always comes first. I’d highly recommend Qi Spot.

This is a great spot, right above Yoga on Yamhill by a max stop. I really don’t know how I feel about the process other than ambivalent. Have tried to contact to get insurance authorization but to no avail. The visit was OK. Was a Groupon which, well, is what it is. Maybe it would have gone differently if I knew what I was getting into a bit more as I had never gotten acupuncture before. I appreciated getting more info on my insurance’s health benefits and to be honest something fierce was tapped into when I was there. But I am just not sure it’s in the cards for me to go back.

My physical therapist at Therapeutic Associates recommended Krista at the Qi Spot to help loosen my tight muscles. Krista was very personable and listened to what I needed to be worked on. The location is great since it’s right by the waterfront, and the facilities are very feng shui. I will definitely continue going to see Krista as a supplement to my physical therapy.

I have suffered from chronic UTI’s and bladder infections for what is now over a decade. Even when I was little, I remember telling my mom «my vagina hurts,» and being taken to numerous doctors (once on a family vacation in Australia!) However, the doctors could not ever find anything wrong with me. When I was older, my symptoms became recognizable: my doctor was quick to diagnose me with «Honeymoon cystitis» (bladder infection, UTI, etc.) My GP prescribed me an antibiotic I would take EVERY DAY to prevent UTI’s (standard practice for many of his married female patients.) At the time, I had no idea why this would be an extremely bad idea. Well, fast forward a few years (I’m divorced and in another long term monogamous relationship) and my GP (a different one) prescribed me an antibiotic for my UTI. At the end of the course of antibiotics, I was still in just as much pain as before. I am fairly certain that I am now resistant (or the bacteria is resistant?) to most of the antibiotics used to treat UTI’s. So for the last two years (since that last visit with my GP), I have been attempting to prevent UTI’s with natural herbal remedies– apple cider vinegar, Oregano oil, Uva Ursi. .. you name it. I recently went on the copper IUD, and while I love this form of birth control, it also can increase the risk of UTI’s. Since getting the IUD about two months ago, NOTHING has worked. I have been poring over HWHF– I have cut out dairy. Sugar. Meat. All animal products except for bee pollen and wild honey. I have added in all of the foods that are good for the TCM diagnosis of «damp heat»: mung beans. Adzuki beans. Cooling, drying vegetables. But when it comes to the pulses and tongue diagnosis of TCM. .. well, I have no idea. Is my pulse rapid? Thready? TCM is VERY complicated. It’s metaphorical (and scientific, and in conversation with Western medicine, as Pitchford explains so well) but at this point in my life, I’ve done as much on my own as I can. I need an expert to help me READ Pitchford (and thus help me re-​read my body and my health.) So yesterday, I FINALLY checked to see if my insurance (regence) covers acupuncture (yes.) Then I googled «Regence» and «Acupuncture» and «Portland» and The Qui spot came up. I called and left a long, rambling voice mail that included the words «Tremendous pain» and «UTI» and «Today.» Wade called me back within a half hour and asked me if I could be there in 45 minutes. Within a half hour I was sitting in a chair in one of the rooms, telling Wade some of this information while he typed into his laptop (to be e-​mailed to me! YAY! Some text about me that would provide a lens with which to re-​read Pitchford!) Then he felt my pulse (strong in the stomach– which was interesting to me, because I had been noticing a strong pulse in my stomach– especially at yoga. I had no idea how to read that information, of course, because Western medicine just doesn’t cover things like a strong pulse in your belly.) and made a few other observations about my lungs and my liver (I’m glad he took notes!) Then he put a needle around my third eye («to bliss you out a bit,» he said) and proceeded to put in needles in between my feet and the insides of my calves, around my bladder line, and one near my heart. As he did so, I told him about my trip, back in first grade, to the Aussie doctor– my complaint that «my vagina hurts.» «Awwww,» Wade said. «That’s exactly how a little kid would describe it, too.» Just feeling his empathy– his validation of my experience– was enough to sort of make me tear up a bit. «Do you know how to meditate?» he asked, and I said «Yes,» (finally, all those years of yoga paying off!) and left me in the room. I could feel this sense of tremendous sadness as he was putting in the needles, and when he left, I cried a bit (if you have done EMDR or had a nonverbal release in yoga, say, you will know the sort of mild, wordless, disassociated feeling that comes up – it’s sort of like the beginning of orgasm, except you want to cry instead of come.) Then I meditated, and afterwards, he said his typical procedure with Chronic UTI’s is 10 visits and herbs, added in (one a week.) Like writing, like yoga, like happiness (like EVERYTHING) healing is a process– not an event. I am looking forward to a productive relationship with Wade that will help me re-​read HWWF, my body, my diet, my life (not to mention the possibility of integrating the herbs into my already substantially overhauled diet.) I was exhausted for the rest of the afternoon, and still a bit «hangover» said (grief moving through me, perhaps?) And, given what I said about healing being a process, not an event. .. this morning? NO PAIN. Seriously. Another review says, «Wade is a Healer.» I agree.

Wade is a healer. I saw him for back pain, as a result of stupidly wearing heels for three days at a conference. I don’t have chronic back pain issues, but it was bad enough to warrant seeing him. It was nice not to be prescribed pain medication and for a practitioner to examine the broader issues playing into the pain. After 3 sessions, I didn’t need to see him any more. You know someone is very skilled and confident when they are genuinely interested in your healing, rather than stringing you along for years with treatment while your bank account bleeds. I recommend meeting with him, and if you connect, proceeding with a treatment plan.

The acupuncturist I had been seeing had moved out of my area so I was looking for another acupuncturist that takes appointments on Saturdays. The Groupon deal seemed like a good way to meet the acupuncturist. Bad idea! Waht a waste of my time. I thought the point of a business to offer a Groupon deal was get new returning clients? Apparently not the case here. Wade, the acupuncturist, was rushed, appeared to completely uninterested in why I needed acupuncture and didn’t seem to care whether I booked a return appointment. He asked where I wanted treated so I stated my neck and upper back. He didn’t ask for any more specifics, didn’t feel around my muscles to find the tension spots. Just placed 8 needles and then told me this type of tension is treatable with 4 – 6 appointments. Maybe the level of attention and treatment is better as a full paying client. I’m not going back to find out. I’ll continue to search for another practitioner.

I cannot comment on their acupuncture skills. .. only their communication skills, as I decided against using their service. After difficulty making an appointment on their website, I left several voice messages requesting their advice — no call was ever returned. Their outgoing message clearly states that they «do not make appointments over the phone». It must be annoying for them to have to actually talk to a prospective customer. Ironically, their message ends with the line, «Have a blessed day.» Please.

I have had 3 visits with Wade thus far and felt that I should add a review since I have had such good results. I had been seeing a chiropractor on and off (mostly on) for about a year with major back problems that we could not work out. I would find myself barely being able to wait for my next visit and sometimes needing to call and get in last minute on some days. My husband referred me to Wade at The Qi Spot after he tried it out with a Groupon. Now we are both satisfied clients. After three visits, I have had lasting results. It is not painful, in fact, I fall asleep each time while I am left for a half hour after the needles are inserted. I am now convinced that acupuncture is a very effective wellness tool. I highly recommend giving it a try.

I’d been meaning to find a new acupuncturist since moving to town, so when a deal for the Qi Spot appeared on Groupon, I knew my opportunity had arrived.
I’d had some experience with acupuncture after ACL surgery a couple years ago, so I generally knew what to expect. It was easy to set my appointment online and fill out patient paperwork online, too. Excellent! The office is in a very cool, hip space with lots of natural light and calming elements. After a brief consultation, the needles went in, and I was left to meditate for 20 to 30. My session was almost over when I marveled at having made it through the session without hearing Enya on the overhead. Two minutes later, on comes «Book of Days»… *sigh*
Overall, I had a positive experience. The treatment was efficient and included a foot massage. If there are any specific issues you would like to address, you may need repeat visits to see real results. They take insurance, and if you don’t have any, there are discounts and deals to be had. As I fall into the latter category, I’ve since moved toward another acupuncture outfit that fits better within my budget, though not as conveniently located for me.

I had such a great experience here. I came in with severe, debilitating neck pain, and Wade did everything he could to put me at ease and help relax the muscles. I felt like he was making a genuine effort to help me, and went above and beyond what I was expecting. I would definitely come here again!

The Qi Spot rocks! Wade’s insights and knowledge are amazing! My first time with acupuncture and its been very gentle, relaxing and effective. Helped me with a lot of stress and over-​exposure to indoor office environment: static build-​up, carpal tunnel, weird back and neck pains. I not only got the immediate relief, but we also talked about a holistic approach to better health all around. You get personal 1-​on-​1 time with no hurry. I’ve gotten way more than I’m paying for! AND insurance is no hassle. I will totally travel from Corvallis for the 45 minutes a week :)

awesome! i had never been to acupuncture before, but wanted to see if it would work. I had been really sad and unable to shake it. I booked an appointment with Wade and it has helped so much! i love it. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and i can genuinely smile again. Plus he takes Kaiser insurance.
The needles are not scary and its does not hurt. I have been 4 times so far and plan on continuing my treatment until i am cured. :)