Mac Barrett, LAc
Licensed Acupuncturist
I believe that mind, body, and spirit are so deeply interconnected that they are almost the same thing. Imbalance in any one of these aspects will naturally appear in the others. Emotions and thoughts affect our physical wellbeing, and our physical balance or imbalance affects how we look at ourselves and the world around us. The beauty of this interconnectedness is that when we improve the balance and free movement of energy within our physical bodies, it can lead to improvements in the rest of our being. Whether imbalance presents as pain, discomfort, digestive issues, or chronic illness, together we can move you in the direction of balance and ease.
Pain is hard to live with. I won’t pretend to be a magician who will make it all go away. I will, however, listen to you and your body so we can start the process of unwinding the patterns that lead to your [GU3] pain and discomfort. This process starts with listening to your story and investigating the ways that pain manifests in your body. A thorough physical exam will help us understand the structure and soft tissue of your body as we come up with a treatment plan. With the tools of acupuncture, bodywork, and classical Chinese herbalism, I can offer moments of ease so your body can harness its ability to restore itself.
A typical session with me will feature one or more of acupuncture, bodywork, and direct moxibustion. My bodywork is informed by my training in shiatsu massage, myofascial release, and yin sotai. With these methods, I can both diagnose and treat structural and soft tissue misalignments. Sometimes deeper issues are better addressed through herbal medicine. I am passionate about the power of classical Chinese herbs to treat imbalances in ways that are long lasting and effective, and I am glad to discuss your options for herbal treatment.
I received a Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM) from the National University of Natural Medicine, graduating with a Certificate of Shiatsu. I am currently an adjunct professor of shiatsu at NUNM. I feel so lucky to be able to give back to the community that first brought me up in this amazing medicine. In my spare time I like to attend Timbers and Thorns matches and spend time with my partner. Although I enjoy the outdoors, I might be the one person in Portland who isn’t on a hike every weekend. I’m more likely to be out dancing or catching up with friends.