What Is Sports Medicine Acupuncture?
Sports medicine acupuncture blends the time-tested traditions of Chinese medicine with modern orthopedic assessment techniques to treat pain and restore optimal function. At Attunement Wellness in Portland’s Johns Landing neighborhood, this approach is ideal for athletes, active individuals, and anyone experiencing musculoskeletal pain or injuries. We combine traditional acupuncture with orthopedic testing, manual muscle testing, postural analysis, and targeted techniques like cupping, gua sha, and electroacupuncture. The result? Deeply effective treatments that help:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Accelerate tissue healing
- Improve mobility and flexibility
- Enhance athletic performance and recovery
What to Expect
Every sports medicine acupuncture session at Attunement Wellness includes:
- Orthopedic assessment and muscle testing
- Needle techniques specific to motor points and trigger points
- Optional electroacupuncture or cupping to improve circulation and reduce spasms
- Personalized exercises, stretching, and recovery tips tailored to your goals
Whether you’re dealing with chronic low back pain, a sprained ankle, or repetitive strain from sitting at a desk, we’re here to help you get back to doing what you love.
Our Lead Acupuncturist
Dr. Dani Brunner, DACM, LAc, completed a Sports Medicine Apprenticeship Certification under renowned mentor Whitfield Reaves, and advanced needle techniques for athletes by Jenny Neiters (official team acupuncturist for the San Francisco 49ers). Their influence shapes our clinic’s high-level, sports-focused care.
Dr. Dani is the Official Acupuncturist for the Portland Winterhawk Rosebud Dance team.
What About Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses the same stainless steel, thin, filiform needles as acupuncture to release muscle knots and motor trigger points. While often marketed as distinct, it is actually a form of acupuncture.
Why it matters who performs it:
- Dry needling is acupuncture – only under a different name.
- Licensed acupuncturists are required to complete over 3,000 hours of training, including thousands of supervised needling sessions.
- Dani Brunner and Devin Babat LAc, trained for four years at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, before needling a patient.
- Dani has earned a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2012, her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in 2021, and her Sports Medicine Acupuncture certification in 2025.
- She continues advanced hands-on study with top sports acupuncturists including Jenny Nieters, LAc (49ers team acupuncturist) and Whitfield Reaves, LAc.
The bottom line: Dry needling should be performed by a fully trained, licensed acupuncturists for safety, depth of diagnosis, and long-term results.
Why Choose a Licensed Acupuncturist for Dry Needling?
- We understand meridians and musculoskeletal anatomy
- We offer more than trigger point release—we treat root causes
- We’re licensed through the Oregon Medical Board, with MDs, orthopedic surgeons, and nurse practitioners
- We bring a whole-body, holistic view to your healing—not just symptom management.
Athletes are under pressure, and the mental and emotional component can be addressed by a licensed acupuncturist because we treat the root issue.
At Attunement Wellness, we don’t just poke a knot—we guide your entire body into a state of healing and alignment.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Dry needling uses acupuncture needles and targets trigger points, which is considered a subset of acupuncture. Only licensed acupuncturists have the comprehensive training to safely perform both.
Are there risks with dry needling?
Minor side effects include soreness, bruising, and fatigue. Rare but serious risks—like pneumothorax (collapsed lung)—are significantly reduced when performed by a licensed acupuncturist who has extensive training in-depth anatomy.
Do acupuncturists have more training than PTs or chiropractors in needling?
Yes. Acupuncturists complete 3,000+ hours of training, often over 4 years. PTs may be certified in dry needling with as little as 50–100 hours.
What kinds of injuries or conditions respond well to sports acupuncture?
Acute and chronic pain, tendonitis, post-surgical rehab, low back pain, neck/shoulder pain, tennis/golfer’s elbow, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, hip pain, and more.