Astoria & Hillsboro, Oregon, 28th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, As chronic pain continues to challenge healthcare systems across the nation, one Oregon-based clinic has quietly led a revolution in natural, patient-centered healing.nLuna Acupuncture & Wellness, founded in 2015 by Dr. James Carter, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this fall. The milestone marks not only a decade of service but also a meaningful shift in how chronic and complex pain conditions are treated in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Carter, a Doctor of Acupuncture with advanced training in acupuncture, auricular therapy, herbology, and more, founded Luna Acupuncture & Wellness on a central belief: Meaningful healing and transformation happens when each person is understood as a whole—body, mind, and spirit. This approach informs every interaction, shaping thoughtful care that is both personalized and rooted in connection.
Taking the Time
At a time when many healthcare providers feel pressured to rush through appointments, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness has taken a different path. Dr. Carter and his team prioritize flexibility and adaptability in appointment length as well as approach. New patients begin with a free 15-minute in-person or phone consultation, offering an opportunity to learn about the office and care approach, as well as get their questions answered and find out how acupuncture might be able to help them. Potential treatment options are reviewed and discussed for their particular type of pain condition.
“Too many people living with chronic pain feel unheard or dismissed,” says Dr. Carter. “At Luna, we want every person to know they matter. We take time to learn not just about their symptoms, but about their experiences, their stress, their lifestyle, and their hopes for healing.”
This compassion-first approach has earned Luna a reputation for excellence among patients who often arrive after years of frustration with conventional care. Dr. Carter has seen remarkable outcomes in pain alleviation by combining acupuncture with auricular therapy, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance.
A Science-Based Approach Rooted in Tradition
Luna Acupuncture & Wellness bridges the wisdom of classical Chinese medicine with modern biomedical understandings of chronic pain and neurological function. Dr. Carter completed a doctoral degree in 2024, focused on integrating biomedical research and evidence-informed findings into treatment approaches. This has expanded the clinic’s offerings to include more effective and streamlined treatment protocols and the capability to treat a vast array of chronic and recalcitrant pain conditions. These treatment protocols often include advanced auricular diagnosis and treatment, a rarely mastered method that uses the ear to assess and treat imbalances throughout the body. For some conditions, clients are taught how to gently massage the ear between sessions to enhance progress.
This often can provide on-demand pain relief and alleviation, lessening the need for pain medications.
“Auricular medicine gives us the ability to pinpoint the root causes of dysfunction and pain in real-time,” explains Dr. Carter. “It works especially well for complex chronic pain cases where the root causes aren’t always obvious. Once we’re able to identify the relevant patterns, we can stimulate the surface of the ear with the placement of seeds, the benefits of which can regulate the nervous system and help the body to reset in a natural, non-invasive way.” The technique can easily be integrated alongside other forms of healthcare without interaction.
This method has helped thousands of patients find relief from a wide range of conditions including fibromyalgia, PTSD, migraines, autoimmune flares, injuries, and chronic pain. The combination of modalities integrated during a session allows Luna to address multiple aspects of a condition at the physical, mental, and emotional layers.
Two Locations and a Growing Footprint
With locations in both Astoria and Beaverton /Hillsboro Oregon, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness serves a broad range of clients throughout Oregon. The practice originally began as a modest one-room practice in Beaverton, but over the past decade, it has grown into a full-spectrum wellness space offering acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, plant medicine, nutritional guidance, and personalized care plans.
“People come to us from across the Pacific Northwest,” says Dr. Carter. “Sometimes they drive for hours just to find relief. That tells me we’re doing something right, and it motivates us to keep growing and innovating.”
Supporting Global Wellness Through Giving
Luna Acupuncture & Wellness carries its healing mission beyond the treatment room. The practice donates monthly to LovePeaceHarmony.org, a nonprofit that supports humanitarian projects worldwide. From trauma relief programs to clean water initiatives, the organization aligns closely with Luna’s values of compassion and service. “Giving back is part of our clinic culture,” says Dr. Carter. “It reminds us that health is
interconnected. When we support communities in need, we also create a ripple effect that uplifts all of us.”
Patients often express gratitude for being part of a business that prioritizes ethical and community-centered practices. Many report feeling not only physically better but also more emotionally and mentally centered after beginning treatment at Luna.
10 Years of Transformation and Testimonials
Dr. Carter reflects on the past ten years with humility and pride. The clinic has treated thousands of individuals who arrived in pain, exhausted by conventional options, and desperate for change. Time and again, Luna’s integrative model has helped these patients reclaim their lives. One patient, a 47-year-old woman from the Oregon coast, suffered from chronic fatigue, migraines, and joint pain for over a decade. After three months of customized treatment at Luna, she returned to work full-time and began hiking again with her family. Another patient, a retired firefighter, reported complete resolution of long-standing nerve pain that previously resisted surgery and medications.
“We don’t promise quick fixes,” says Dr. Carter. “But we do offer hope and a path forward. “Our goal is to help our clients to sustainably build better health through healthy habits and using time-tested modalities that can support the body’s ability to self-heal.”
Looking to the Next Chapter
As Luna prepares to celebrate its tenth anniversary this fall, Dr. Carter is looking ahead with optimism. Plans for the coming year include expanded clinic hours, additional workshops on self-care and seasonal wellness, and the release of a guided visualization and acupressure workbook designed for home use.
He also hopes to mentor emerging practitioners and explore more community collaborations in the mental health and chronic illness space. Dr. Carter believes that the future of medicine lies in relationships between provider and patient, body and mind, individual and environment.
“Our tenth year isn’t just about looking back,” he says. “It’s about recommitting to what matters: showing up with integrity, continuing to learn, and offering care that truly honors each person’s journey.”
About Luna Acupuncture & Wellness
Luna Acupuncture & Wellness was founded in 2015 by Dr. James Carter, a Doctor of Acupuncture and licensed practitioner with over a decade of experience in integrative healing. With clinics in Astoria and Hillsboro, Oregon, Luna specializes in treating chronic health and pain conditions through acupuncture, auricular therapy, and holistic wellness planning. The practice welcomes new patients with a free 15-minute consultation and is committed to compassionate, evidence-informed care rooted in tradition.
Contact
Luna Acupuncture & Wellness LLC
Convenient locations in Beaverton/Hillsboro and Astoria, Oregon
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