About Sharon Rose

Acupuncturist, medical massage specialist, scientist, roadtripper, historian, cat herder, gamer, belly-laugher.

Upcoming Educational Events

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Sharon Rose

I’m so excited! Michelle Fleming, who I met in Nicaragua earlier this year, is coming to Beaverton to teach! Let me back up… I have a background in weightlifting, rock climbing, and other physical pursuits, but I’ve never been able to get into yoga. In February I attended a continuing education seminar that had Michelle’s classes built in every morning – and suddenly I *got it.* She made it accessible for my round body and tiny T-Rex arms. She made it truly about getting in touch with our bodies and exploring what they could do, that day, at that moment in time.

If you want a more local taste of what this incredible powerhouse of a woman has to offer, you have two options:

RETHINKING YOGA: Movement for Every Body (open to all)

This workshop will focus on the hips and lower back, and is designed to relieve pain and tension and to give students a simple, yet highly effective practice to restore optimal structural balance. Class will end with guided relaxation. YOU WILL LEAVE FEELING GREAT, and with the knowledge to keep healing! NO previous yoga experience required!

Friday night, 9/27/24, 6-8:30pm. Early bird $40, after 9/15 $50

2. Intro to Neuro-Vascular Manipulation (for professional bodyworkers)

In Osteopathic medicine there is a saying: “The true skeleton of the body is the arterial tree, because everything grows around its blood supply’. When we shift our view to a more holistic view of the body, we find it is the nerves, arteries and veins that connect the pieces, that bring every system, from bone to blood together. Working with these often overlooked structures are frequently the “missing piece” that enables the muscular-skeletal system to finally find, and maintain balance.

In this one day workshop we will learn to work directly with the nerves, arteries and veins from the skin layer, to the dural layer. This is a hands on class and all students will have the opportunity to both give and receive the work for optimal learning.

This class will focus on training bodyworkers of all disciplines and there will be an emphasis on working with the brachial plexus and the vertebral artery to treat our overworked and often strained tissue of the neck and arms.

Saturday 9/28/24, 10am-5pm. Early bird – $150, after 9/15 – $175

Michelle is a Yoga Therapist, a Thai Bodyworker, a Nerve and Artery specialist and a Board Certified Structural Integrator in the lineage of Ida Rolf. She is the owner of Sanctuary Wellness Studios, Director of Orthopedic Yoga and Transformational Yoga Therapy and founder of Equilibrium, a non-profit dedicated to bringing breath, movement and nutrition education to young people with anxiety and mood disorders.

No more daily masking!

Posted on April 28, 2024 by Sharon Rose

I took some huge steps today. I made masks optional – rather than encouraged – and I eliminated the vax requirement. It’s been so long, and everyone has been exposed so much, they should have natural antibodies by now. I understand that some of my more fragile patients & friends may be concerned about this. I assure you, I will still be running my air cleaner. I am happy to wear a mask if you prefer (there’s a box you can check on my contagious disease screening email, which I’m still using for every appointment). If you want the first slot of the day, let me know and I’ll make that work.

Chronic Pain – So much more than just physical pain receptors!

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Sharon Rose

Acupuncture license renewed! This year the Oregon Medical Board required everyone to take an online course on “Changing the Conversation on Pain,” which was as cheesy and awkward as you’d expect a state government-produced video to be, but contained excellent information on how mood, nutrition, movement, social contact, and cultural factors (stress / bad care from racism, etc) can impact chronic perception of pain. They even covered neuroplasticity (how the brain changes) and becomes “better” at creating pain. This is all stuff I’ve learned before, but I’m super excited the OMB is forcing ALL practitioners to hear it, because based on what my patients tell me, most docs are still just pushing drugs and PT.

I’ve lived this – you feel lousy, so you quit moving, eat garbage, and watch TV. Then you feel worse and the cycle continues.

Instead, making small incremental changes (some stretches, an apple instead of chips, shifting your internal monologue) can literally reduce how much pain you experience… which frees you up to move a little more, cook something, see a friend… and you feel slightly better! I’m NOT saying smile and ignore it – pain is real! But making these adjustments will retrain your brain. Every little bit helps.

There’s a website with tools for both practitioners and for patients, in English y español.

Check it out!

It’s that time again.

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Sharon Rose

My patient this morning just gave me a huge lecture. He noticed that I hadn’t raised my rates from 2023. He’s a fellow business owner and understands that costs have risen dramatically. And he’s right… not only has my rent and insurance gone up every year, but utilities and even needles have gotten more expensive. I haven’t given myself a raise in over 4 years. I’m always reluctant, because I don’t want people to forgo medical care due to financial concerns, but he’s correct that this isn’t sustainable. I need keep my doors open, so… Rates are going up May 1st. I think you’ll find that the new prices are still quite low as an industry standard for someone with my decades of experience and advanced techniques.

Any sessions or packages purchased before the increase will be honored going forward, so feel free to stock up! If you are financially challenged and can’t handle this increase, please message me. Let’s talk. I’m still doing smoking cessation treatments for free, and volunteering for the Returning Veterans Project.

New patient: 90 min, intake, acupuncture, medical massage, self-care instruction: $195

Followup: 60 min, acupuncture & medical massage: $150. A package of 4 hours is $40 off ($560).

Half hour of either acupuncture or massage: $95. A package of 5 half-hours is $40 off ($435).

Habit-building reminders

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Sharon Rose

I love teaching self care. I can do great work here in the office, but long term change usually goes better if you do your homework. Sometimes that’s stretching, postural correction, or checking in with your body and releasing tension (usually a combo of these). Of course, the trickiest part of learning a new habit is remembering to do it, so I like providing visual reminders. I have this fun selection of stickers for my patients to chose from. I recommend putting them at your work station or on a water bottle… anywhere you’ll see it frequently.

My newest one – arriving soon – says “I hope something good happens to you today.”

three piles of stickers on a table. "Breathe", "You are amazing," and "You - yes you - are awesome!"

Since some people are more tactile than visual, I also have pocket rocks to give you! Thanks to my friend Diana, I have lots of fascinating Oregon rocks she’s found and tumbled, in a variety of sizes. People like to give me rocks, and the ones I can’t use for jewelry often end up in the pocket-rock bowl.

bowl of smooth, polished stones, in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.

hand holding three small smooth rocks, with varied coloration

Oregon agates, jaspers, even some shell! Which one speaks to you?

Overactive Bladder

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Sharon Rose

When a patient arrives for an appointment, I always ask if they need to use the bathroom. It’s better to get that taken care of before they are undressed and full of needles! One lady responded “When do I ever NOT need to?” with a laugh. I giggled with her, agreeing wholeheartedly. Then it occurred to me… that’s not normal!

Over the years it snuck up on me, and I hadn’t even noticed… just cracked jokes about having the world’s tiniest bladder, etc. I was getting up to pee at least once a night, and up to three times on a bad one. Frequent urination is a pretty common situation with more mature women, especially those who are heavier or had children, but that doesn’t mean I had to be stuck with it!

There are two issues here – urgency and incontinence. I did some reading, and some thinking, and here’s what I came up with:

URGENCY:

There are two warning systems for your bladder. One triggers when it starts to fill: That’s the early notification, “Hey, start thinking about a biobreak?” Then there’s the demanding “NO, REALLY!! FIND A BATHROOM NOW!” when it’s completely full. Apparently if you always relieve yourself when the first alarm goes off, the two start to merge, and the urgency gets ramped up even at the early stages. The best way to combat this is to deliberately delay at the first warning. Distract yourself. Do something engaging so you forget you need to pee. When I first started doing this, I couldn’t put it off for long… maybe 5 minutes. But soon it became an hour, and then two! The trick here is to relax. When you feel that sudden NEED to go, the tendency is to panic, to squeeze your legs and try to hold it in while rushing to the toilet. Unfortunately, that’s just going to push it out! Instead, think about consciously relaxing your abdomen, pelvis, and thighs. Focus on your work or something else (maybe as you make your way to the bathroom, in the early stages). It can be a bit of a roulette at first, but keep with it! Retraining takes some time.

Secondly, I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to always be in a hurry. I was squeezing and firing off a pressurized firehose out of some misguided attempt to “be efficient.” This led to a buff bladder that was prone to “going hard” when activated. Instead, I made a conscious effort to relax when peeing, and just let it stream.

INCONTINENCE:

Pelvic floor health is super important. We’ve all heard of Kegels, and some docs recommend doing them while brushing your teeth, just to make it a frequent habit. Likewise, sexual activity and orgasm (alone or with a partner) can help get those muscles strong and healthy.

Absorbent “period panties” can be useful for containing small leaks. Thinx, TomboyX, and plenty of other brands make use of new fabric technology. These garments are machine washable (hang to dry) and, while the crotch panel may be slightly stiffer than usual undies, they are comfortable. They can be useful in the training period while challenging yourself to hold out. In worst case scenarios, if you are unable to retrain, they are a more dignified option than adult diapers. In the long run, they are cheaper, too.

RESULTS:

Obviously, your mileage may vary, but I started seeing changes pretty quickly. A month after I started my experiment, I slept through the night! It’s now been three nights in a row, and one was a 10 hr lazy sleep-in over the weekend. Sleep is sacred, and anything you can do to improve your slumber will have a positive impact on the rest of your day.

Another important benefit to reducing overactive bladder symptoms is the freedom to have a drink of water. I know far too many women who stay perpetually dehydrated because they are nervous about their frequent urination. Take your control back by learning to relax… it may sound counterintuitive, but it’s working for me. Let me know how it works for you!

UPDATE 12/23/22: The retraining held until I rediscovered tea. It turns out caffeine brought back the frequent pit-stops for 24-48 hrs. I do just fine on herbals and still sleep through the night! :)

Postscript 4/6/23: It occurs to me that there’s a connection between general stress / anxiety and overactive bladder issues. If you find yourself in “fight or flight” mode often, it’s worth taking a slow, deep breath… one more… give yourself a moment to relax. We weren’t meant to be on high alert all day. I do a lot of “rest and digest” mode coaching with my patients. Please let me know if I can help you with that!

Heroes wear masks, not capes!

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Sharon Rose

Covid isn’t going away, at least not anytime soon. So it’s time to sign on to wearing a proper mask whenever you are interacting with people outside your pod.

The Oregon Health Authority put this out (see below for their full text):

It’s important to note that not all fabric masks are the same. You want tightly woven cotton: Knit fabrics and anything you can see through are not as useful.

Also, they should fit tightly around the edges. Your mask should have a wire across the nose that you can adjust for your face shape. If your glasses are fogging up, air is escaping out the top: Find a mask with a better fit, or use medical tape along the top edge. If your mask is falling off your face and you find yourself adjusting it constantly, the straps are too loose. For the ear loop type, try twisting them, or using a short strap with buttons on the ends on the back of your head. More tips here!

Yes, wearing a properly fitted, actually filtering mask will be warmer and feel like it’s harder to breathe – you are still getting PLENTY of oxygen (just ask all the doctors and industrial workers who wear them all day). Most people* will get used to it pretty quickly. I hardly notice it anymore – I’ve been wearing N95s this whole time.

N95 / KN95 / KF94s are meant to be worn about 8 hours. If you only did a quick trip in one, you can set it aside and use it again. They don’t last forever though – if your mask gets soaked or soiled, throw it away.

Stay safe!

*For those with sensory issues, I’m sorry. It really stinks. But please try to endure them when you should, or reduce your exposure by using curbside delivery, etc.

The full text of the OHA post:

With the highly contagious Omicron variant still spreading across Oregon, some of our masks may not be protecting us as much as they did against previous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Recently, the CDC updated their masking recommendations: N95 and KN95 respirators provide greater protection than cloth or disposable medical masks.They are made to fit tightly to the face, and when worn properly do a better job than cloth or medical masks at keeping virus-carrying particles from passing through and around the mask.◌ N95 masks ideally filter at least 95% of airborne particles with the proper fit, and they are approved by the NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.◌ KN95 masks also ideally filter at least 95% of airborne particles but are not approved by NIOSH. They are manufactured in China and meet China’s standard of quality requirements.◌ KF94 masks ideally filter at least 94% of airborne particles, are made in South Korea and meet Korea’s standard of quality requirements. They are not approved by NIOSH.These types of respirator masks may not be necessary to wear in all situations, but the CDC recommends them in certain high-risk circumstances (http://ow.ly/h2Ng50HH7mr), such as if you’re caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19, traveling on public transportation or if you’re unvaccinated.To learn more about the differences between your mask options and how to spot a counterfeit or low-quality mask, visit our blog: http://ow.ly/SRNM50HH7mp

A brief medical leave…

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Sharon Rose

I’m having a total hysterectomy on Nov 10. I’ll be out of the office completely from Wednesday 11/10 until Monday 11/29 at least. After that I’m going to play it by ear. I’ll come back first just for acupuncture. Once I can engage my core again (about 6 weeks, towards the end of December) I’ll resume offering medical massage.

Feel free to use the WAIT LIST option at the top of the booking page to let me know you want an appointment when I’m ready.

If you already have an appointment with me during this time, I’ll be contacting you shortly. All dates are subject to change depending on how my recovery goes.

I still have some openings available before the surgery, so grab those if you need some care before I shut down. Also, let me know if you need to pick up more CBD / anti-inflammatory supplies, or gift certificates for the holidays.

CBD for you & your furry friends, too!

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Sharon Rose

First – the basics. There are two major types of active chemicals in marijuana. THC gets you high, and is federally regulated. CBD doesn’t, and isn’t. With CBD there’s no high or sleepiness, and with the sublinguals (liquid you drop under your tongue) you don’t get that weird feeling that edibles can create. It’s amazing for nerve pain and anxiety. Another reason I prefer the sublinguals to edibles is that they take effect within minutes, instead of hours. That also means it’s easier to dose: You can try a small amount and increase as needed with very quick feedback.

Bottles and tubs of Frogsong CBD products.

I did a lot of research before I decided which brand of CBD supplies to carry… The vast majority of products out there are low potency, low quality, and are in a cheap substrate (base) which means they don’t absorb well. Please don’t buy your medication at a grocery store, head shop, or gas station!

I started carrying Frogsong in 2018. This is a local family company run by some really terrific people. They actually derive their CBD from hemp. From them, I have:

Drops: Sublingual tincture, best for anxiety and all-over pain, like Fibromyalgia or widespread arthritis.

Drops for Pets: Frogsong is now offering a version for fur babies, too! You can put it in their food, or have them lick it from your hands. I used to dose my critters with Rescue Remedy by putting it on their ears for quick absorption with no hassle. I believe this will work for the CBD Drops as well. The packaging contains dosing instructions, and this information:

Body Balm: A light, lemony, aloe-based gel that absorbs quickly into the skin.

Rubbit: A heavier, moisturizing, minty salve. Fantastic for foot neuropathy or any place your skin needs a little extra help.

Earlier this year I added Kannaco to my line. They offer a topical CBD salve with menthol (nice for immediate pain relief) and Snooze Sleep Aid, a capsule with CBD and melatonin. My patients have been reporting excellent results with both.

Note: CBD is generally regarded as safer to combine with prescription medication than THC, but you should talk to your doctor if you have a question about drug interaction safety. I have a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, but I’m not a doctor and pharmacology is not my area of expertise.

If you prefer to avoid CBD, I still have the ever-popular anti-inflammatory Hai Tong Pi Tang, or “pancake spray” – named for its distinctive maple syrup scent. I’ve been using this for a decade on sore joints, sunburns, etc. and am always amazed at how powerful this ancient Chinese herbal formula can be. And if breakfast food perfume isn’t your thing, I also have a lavender version.

Feel free to ask me about any of these pain-relief solutions. I am happy to use the topicals on you during your treatment, so you can see if they work for you.