PATRICIA HALLAM, L.Ac.

Patricia Hallam, L.Ac., is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Oregon.  In addition to a master’s degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, she also holds a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in Genetics from UC Davis.

Active in the field of health and healing for over twenty years, Patricia began her career as a pre-medical student, but took a detour into health education when she realized that preventing illness was the best medicine of all.  During her last year of undergraduate work at UC Davis, she worked as a health educator on campus where she developed and facilitated a variety of workshops on nutrition, fitness and stress management for students.  Desiring to expand her involvement in the preventive medicine arena, she also volunteered as a perinatal health advocate at a local community clinic, where she worked to ensure that the migrant farmworkers and other low-income pregnant women the clinic served got the prenatal education and services they needed to have healthy babies.

 After graduation, Patricia’s long-time fascination with other cultures and deep desire to better understand the world around her and her place in it led her to serve as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand, where she worked with Thai government agencies to promote health and nutrition programs in rural farming communities.  Upon her return to the U.S. and completion of her first graduate degree, she spent the next decade of her life contributing to the public health at Kaiser Permanente in California, where she managed various research studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new pediatric vaccines before they received FDA licensure, as well as monitor and investigate the potential adverse effects of vaccines post-licensure

Having had a deep affinity for and special interest in asian cultures and spiritual philosophies for most of her life, Patricia’s interest in oriental healing methods first developed in the early 1990’s, as she completed a course of study in acupressure massage therapy at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley.  Soon after, she began volunteering at the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, a facility dedicated to providing complementary and alternative medicine services to low-income women battling cancer. Inspired by the relief and comfort this ancient healing modality provided to the women she treated there, she decided to seek treatment with acupuncture and herbal medicine for one of her own recently diagnosed health issues.    When these healing methods were able to restore endocrine system balance and eliminate a condition she was told there was only symptomatic treatment for, she knew she wanted to learn how they worked and be able to use them to help others.

Though her practice today is focused on women’s health issues (including things such as PMS, chronic yeast infection, menstrual disorders, fertility enhancement, pregnancy support and menopausal syndrome), she also enjoys working with patients who have a wide variety of health challenges from asthma, allergies and other autoimmune-related diseases, to digestive disorders, acute and chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other stress-related illnesses.  In addition to Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, she combines other oriental healing arts, such as Jin Shin Do acupressure, Zen Shiatsu massage, Taoist breathing techniques and Qi Gong, to create a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each individual.  She believes strongly that her role as a practitioner is simply to assist her patients in discovering and maximizing their own innate ability to heal.

In her spare time, Patricia enjoys the creative process of improving her home and garden, spending time in the beauty and stillness of nature, studying and practicing the spiritual discipline of mindfulness, and taking time out to appreciate and participate in a variety of creative endeavors.  She enjoys hand-crafting jewelry and various asian-inspired accessories and offers them for sale under her label, Eastern Spirit Designs. She also finds great pleasure in vocal music and has been a member of many types of choral ensembles throughout her life.  She is currently a student at the Transformational Voice Training Institute and helped to found the Portland Threshold choir, a group of women dedicated to providing the soothing, supportive and healing benefits of song and presence to people struggling with fear, pain and suffering at the threshold between life and death.  Patricia has also had a long-standing love and appreciation of dance in all its many forms.  She studied ballet for many years in her youth, danced in musicals and with modern dance troupes in high school and college, and currently enjoys taking dance classes and attending dance performances when she can.  It is her belief that participating in activities that give one joy is an essential part of creating and sustaining vibrant health.

For more information on the services Patricia provides or to schedule an appointment, please call her at 503.421.9339, or contact her via email.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY

I highly recommend Patricia Hallam to any woman who is trying to get pregnant.  I tried for four years to get pregnant.  I had four IUI’s, two IVF’s, and four rounds of frozen embryo transfer, and nothing worked.  I had MRI’s and biopsies, and no one could figure out what was wrong.  So I took a year-long break and worked with Patricia.  She gave me herbs, discussed diet, and gave me deeply healing, relaxing treatments.  On my final embryo transfer, at the age of 43, I got pregnant.  On the last round, the doctors gave me only a five percent chance of getting pregnant.  And not only did I achieve pregnancy, I got pregnant with twins.  And so far they’re wonderfully healthy and so am I.  I firmly believe, and so do my doctors, that Patricia’s work with me and her herbs helped me finally achieve pregnancy.   Her mannerisms are calming, and assuring, and she is extraordinary at what she does.   – LHW

MIGRAINES HELPED WITH ACUPUNCTURE

I suffer from migraines and headaches. Within two visits I saw a dramatic decrease of my migraines.  Patricia has a gentle touch and presence.  She is a wonderful caregiver and very attentive.  I highly recommend her.   – HC

NATURAL FERTILITY IMPROVED WITH ACUPUNCTURE

After an ectopic pregnancy resulting in surgery and then struggling to get pregnant for several years after, my husband and I had tried many infertility drugs and treatment options.  All had been unsuccessful.  It had been an emotionally and physically taxing few years.  Our next step was going to be in-vitro fertilization (IVF).  We knew IVF was a stressful and costly financial commitment and we wanted to be sure we had exhausted all treatment options before resorting to the procedure.  In my research on infertility, acupuncture had come up several times as a means to counter infertility.  After checking with my insurance I was surprised to discover that acupuncture treatments were covered.  I must admit I was a bit nervous and apprehensive before my first appointment.  I didn’t know what to expect and was not all that familiar with Eastern medicine or acupuncture.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Patricia explained the treatments she proposed and answered all my questions.  She helped me understand the way acupuncture works and how it could help me to relax and hopefully enhance my fertility.  Patricia made me feel at ease.  The environment and treatments were very relaxing and I looked forward to my appointments.  I stopped taking all other fertility drugs and began seeing Patricia regularly.  After six months I became pregnant.  I fully believe that Patricia’s acupuncture treatments made the difference.  In July of 2010, we welcomed a beautiful, healthy son.  I whole heartedly recommend acupuncture and Patricia Hallam to anyone struggling with infertility.    – MZ

ARTHRITIC HIP:  HELPFUL, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND RELAXING 

My first experience with acupuncture is with Patricia. After trying several different types of treatment for an arthritic hip, I turned to acupuncture. During the first visit, I received more relief than with any other prior treatment. Patricia clearly explained everything to me, answered all my questions, and provided a calming environment. One year later I continue to see her and my hip continues to do well, including days where I have almost no discomfort.  –JR

INFERTILITY AND PCOS RESOLVED

Our story is not necessarily unique; in fact it is more familiar than it should be. My husband of nine years and I have suffered from infertility. We always dreamed of starting our family shortly after we got married, but month after month of disappointment soon flashed into eight years of sadness, self-pity, and deep sorrow.  So it may be surprising that infertility was not in my top three areas of concern when I first sought out treatment with Chinese medicine.  We had put enough money and heartache into our efforts that we had even mourned the loss of having our own children and were now focused on long-term health, accepting our inability to conceive. This is where our story changes…

My past experiences with western medicine have not been pleasant, as we have been shifted from doctor to doctor, then to a specialist for one thing, then onto another, with some sort of “new and exciting” pill that will solve all our problems. We were made promises and provided a false sense of hope. The worst was when the treatments were not working; we then became to blame, the scapegoat for a diagnosis that was incorrect. Our perseverance proved to be the turning point of our struggle and Patricia is the key factor in this change.

I truly believe Patricia has changed a significant part of our life. What I remember from my first visit was her demeanor. She was truly listening to me. I was not treated like just another patient. I was not shamed nor made to feel  as though my health problems were 100%  my fault.  Patricia’s empathetic attitude reminded me of a quote from an unknown author that truly personifies her character:

Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.

That day, Patricia reassured me that I am a real person. I instantly felt comforted and back in charge of my health knowing I had this amazing person willing to join up in this quest. Her words of compassion carried through all of my visits, even to this day.

I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which has contributed to our infertility issues by not allowing me to properly ovulate and has caused me to have to endure severe menstrual pain. My treatment has included acupuncture and herbal supplements that targeted cyst reduction, all with the intent to focus on my overall health and not pregnancy.  Our lives have been truly impacted from her treatments and those few sincere words beyond what we ever imagined for ourselves. After only six weeks of treatments and herbs we experienced the surprise of our lives. We were finally pregnant!

Patricia has given us a gift that we never thought was possible. Our son was born July 2010 and my pregnancy was a happy and healthy one.  Anyone who has experienced infertility, negative experiences with previous doctors, or just wants someone to truly listen to you would be pleased to receive the services Patricia Hallam provides.  More importantly, Ms. Hallam has that rare gift of compassion and sensitivity to the needs of others.  She is caring and thoughtful as she evaluates issues and situations from all sides before making a decision.  Patricia is an excellent

NECK PAIN BETTER ON FIRST VISIT 

It was amazing for my experience. Patricia truly makes you feel comfortable and I can't wait until my return visit. I was able to move my neck a little further then I could before.  After talking to my kids about my venture they would all like to go.  I would not hesitate to recommend Patricia to my friends.  – PB

INFERTILITY, ANXIETY, PMS

My husband and I tried to conceive for a year and a half. I was thirty years old and was a healthy weight, ate wholesome foods, exercised regularly and lived a healthy lifestyle. I started charting my menstrual cycles by taking my basal temperature every day during the months we were trying to get pregnant. After a year of not being able to conceive I scheduled an appointment with a gynecologist who specialized in infertility. They glanced at my ovulation charts, did blood tests to check hormone levels, tested my husband’s sperm sample and determined that everything looked normal.  I also had an HSG, an X-ray to see if my fallopian tubes were blocked, that came out normal as well.

I became increasingly frustrated, very anxious and emotional. I was still charting my temperatures, and my charts appeared to follow a pattern that indicated ovulation, but I had trouble predicting when I ovulated based on the slow rise in temperatures.  Because I also had a history of emotional PMS symptoms, I suspected that the same hormones that caused my PMS could be affecting my ability to conceive and wondered if alternative medicine may be able to address both. I sought out an acupuncturist that had expertise in infertility and reproductive health.

I found Patricia at Jade River Healing Arts Center and made an appointment.  She reviewed my whole health history and took time to listen to me and address my concerns.  She looked closely at my ovulation charts and detected the same slow rise in temperatures that I had seen.  She treated my anxiety and validated my hope that if I could restore balance I could get pregnant. I got pregnant after one month of receiving acupuncture treatments and taking herbal medicine. Patricia continued to treat me for nausea during the first trimester of my pregnancy.  I wish that I had looked into acupuncture and found Patricia sooner.  I am so grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and caring provider and I highly recommend her to anyone interested in trying acupuncture for fertility challenges.  – RP 

HERNIATED DISC

Since I am the son of a doctor and was raised in a “conventional medicine only” household it may have taken me a little longer than most to consider acupuncture.  I am very glad I did because it works, especially for me.  My wife spent three years in pain management working through a myriad of pain-reducing drugs after having lumbar fusion surgery.  Having developed my own disc related back problem, I searched for solutions beyond epidural steroid injections or pain management drugs.  Acupuncture has been a godsend and allows me to function at about 80% without drugs or surgery.  Give acupuncture a try!  It can’t hurt and does help.  Patricia Hallam is very patient and will work with you to alleviate your particular symptoms.  –DM

INFERTILITY, ADENOMYOSIS, MORNING SICKNESS, HEARTBURN, INSOMNIA 

I tried for years to get pregnant. We did everything. Then I started seeing Patricia, and within eight months I was pregnant. She first helped me with my adenomyosis. For the first time in ten years I was not sick for three days out of the month. Then she helped get my system toned, and at the age of 43, I got pregnant naturally! Now she is helping me through my pregnancy. First she helped with morning sickness. Now she helps with heartburn and insomnia. She is a calming, intelligent, thoughtful soul.  –LH

FIBROMYALGIA, AUTO ACCIDENT INJURIES

Patricia is highly skilled and very patient and sensitive to her patients' needs. I have reduced pain from car accident injuries and fibromyalgia issues under her care.  – AK

MIGRAINE HEADACHES

I have chronic migraine headaches and could not imagine existing on this earth without Patricia's very healing treatments. I trust her with all my health issues.  – LP

LOW BACK AND HIP PAIN FROM NERVE INJURY

Patricia Hallam is excellent in my opinion.  I have lived with a running injury–one that created what a trainer referred to as "drop foot"—for quite a few years.  The problem is nerve injury which weakened the left leg, leaving it less vigorous than the right leg.  The exact position of the nerve injury was never found.  Perhaps it was in the back or in the knee or hip.  In any case, the injury has affected the lower back often, creating pain and fatigue.  Patricia Hallam, through regular shiatsu massage—pressing on the acupuncture points—has helped to relieve the tiredness and the pain.  The sessions begin with questions about my well being and about physical stresses I have experienced since she has seen me last.  I plan to continue with these treatments so excellently given by Patricia.  –RD    

PLEASANT, COMFORTABLE, PAINLESS ACUPUNCTURE 

My first acupuncture experience was with Patricia.  She provided a very calm and relaxing environment and the acupuncture was painless.  She was very thorough with my medical history and provided a treatment plan of acupuncture and herbs to remedy my symptoms.  Her knowledge and recommendations have been very helpful and on point.  She recommended seeing my doctor to have symptoms tested and she was in line with my diagnosis.  Progress has been made and I hope to update my review soon.  –MM

GENTLE, THOROUGH, AND CARING 

My medical history is long and complex, so treating me is a challenge.  Patricia has the patience, knowledge, skills, and commitment to unravel even the most convoluted problem.  She also listens with sincere empathy and communicates her healing intent with her touch.  –SM

EXCELLENT CARE 

Patricia is a knowledgeable, effective, and incredibly professional acupuncturist.  An hour spent in her office is the best hour of my day, and I would recommend her to anyone.  –TK

MOST COMFORTING HEALING WOMAN 

The moment you come into her treatment room she is caring and professional.  She has the gift of emotional healing and I can't imagine the quality of my life without her.  –LP

EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE 

“Patricia is very knowledgeable and thorough, and I appreciate that she takes the time to understand her patients.  Being in her care was an excellent experience, and I will be returning and recommending her to others.  –TK 

VERY CALMING 

This was my first acupuncture appointment and I was a little nervous, but Patricia made me super comfortable and I really felt like she cared. I had a recent medical diagnosis and we went over my treatment plan and how the treatment works.  I felt so comfortable and she is just a calming person all around.  I will be going back to her for many more sessions.  –KS

DEDICATED, CARING, KNOWLEDGEABLE 

Patricia is the best! She keeps track of complex, inter-related health problems and finds a solution.  These days, her treatments are the only thing that help me feel better.  –SM

FEEL RENEWED

Patricia is knowledgable, skilled, caring, and patient. I look forward to my appointments and I always leave feeling refreshed and well-taken care of.  –LL

GENTLE TOUCH, THOROUGH LISTENING

I recommend Patricia Hallam:  she has a gentle touch and I appreciate her thorough listening.  My acupuncture appointments were made as comfortable as possible. I highly trust her.  Her location is also highly accessible. –AP

GENTLE, CARING, SENSITIVE

Patricia is gentle, knowledgeable, caring, and always open to new ideas.  Her innate sensitivity makes a huge difference in the healing process.  She will work with you to find what helps you most.  –SM

NEW PATIENT

I just started seeing Patricia but so far, she is awesome!  She is VERY thorough, knowledgeable and responsive.  I had a great feeling the first time that I left her office that she was going to be able to help me.  She seems committed to her work and concerned about my well-being.  I look forward to continuing to work with her. –KY

JIN SHIN DO

I had a great experience with Patricia recently when I saw her for a Jin Shin Do appointment.  I felt very comfortable in her presence and greatly appreciate her knowledge, sensitivity, and willingness to listen.  I felt wonderful after the treatment and look forward to working with her again.  –JT