Portrait of Tracy Thorne, L.Ac.

ABOUT

Tracy Thorne, L.Ac.

Traditional Japanese Acupuncture & Moxibustion · Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine

Tracy has spent over two decades as an acupuncturist, herbalist, and teacher, working with people navigating chronic and complex health conditions, from professionals and athletes to Veterans living with chronic injury or PTSD, children, and people going through cancer treatment.

She starts with a thorough look at the whole picture: pulse, abdominal diagnosis, Western labs and diagnoses, diet, sleep, work, and movement, before deciding where to begin. For anyone sensitive to needles, she also works with gentle, non-insertive techniques that are just as effective.

She's a Diplomate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine through the NCBAHM (formerly NCCAOM), and she's been licensed through the Oregon Medical Board since 2005.

Read How Tracy Got Here
Text written in Korean and English with some distortion, mentioning 'Tracy' and 'Photo moment.'

Philosophy

A Practice Shaped by Attention, Relationship & Service

Tracy's work has been shaped by a lifelong practice and interest in religion, faith and the transcendent - how we understand ourselves. That interest first led her to study Western theology and philosophy. This formed a bridge of curiosity and connection to classical Chinese thought and Japanese traditions of medicine. Over time, certain Japanese ideas have continued to resonate with her in her practice of medicine: kokoro, the inseparability of heart, mind, and spirit; komorebi, the luminescence of light as it emerges through trees; and kintsugi, which honors the history of an object rather than disguising what it has been through.

These ideas inform how Tracy works with patients, how she continues to study the medicine, how she teaches and mentors other practitioners, and how she understands service to her profession and community. A calligraphy given to her by Japanese acupuncture master Shudo Denmei expresses it simply:

Forget self, treat others.

Shudo Denmei (1932-2026)

Tracy Thorne teaches students in a medical training or emergency response scenario. One woman is palpating a person lying on a table, while another woman and a man observe. The setting appears to be a training room with a window in the background.
Tracy Thorne teaches students in a medical training or emergency response scenario. One woman is palpating a person lying on a table, while another woman and a man observe. The setting appears to be a training room with a window in the background.

TEACHING · RESEARCH · SERVICE

Contributing to the Profession

Alongside her clinical practice, Tracy has spent much of her career teaching, mentoring, conducting research, and sharing the traditions she has spent decades studying.

From 2008 until its closure in 2024, she taught and supervised students at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. She has taught abdominal diagnosis (fukushin) and Japanese acupuncture to practicing clinicians, lectured at National University of Natural Medicine and University of Portland, and trained community health workers in moxibustion through the Promotores Descalzos border project in Juarez, Mexico.

Her research has focused on moxibustion, including a published pilot study, and she has served as a graduate thesis reader and contributor to professional texts. She has also served the profession through organizations including the Oregon Association of Acupuncturists and the High Desert Hari Society.

For Tracy, learning the medicine and contributing to its continuation are part of the same work.

Tracy Thorne teaches students in a medical training or emergency response scenario. One woman is palpating a person lying on a table, while another woman and a man observe. The setting appears to be a training room with a window in the background.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Education & Credentials

Degrees

Licensure & Certifications

Professional Affiliations

  • 2026

    • Jing Fang, Nanjing, China, Dr. Huang (2026)

    • Kampo Study Group, Shang Han Lun, Nigel Dawes (2026-current)

    • Clinical Nutrition Immersion, BioLounge NW (2026-current)

    2025

    • Kampo Study Group, Fukushin Findings, Nigel Dawes (2025-2026)

    • FACTS About Fertility: Lifestyle for Healthy Cycles (2025)

    2024

    • Kampo Study Group, Formulas, Nigel Dawes (2024-2025)

    • Ikeda Masakazu Sensei Japanese Meridian Therapy Module 3, Elizabeth Talcott (2024)

    • Ikeda Masakazu Sensei Japanese Meridian Therapy Module 2, Elizabeth Talcott (2024)

    • Ikeda Masakazu Sensei Japanese Meridian Therapy Module 1, Elizabeth Talcott (2024)

    2023

    • Kampo Study Group, Otsuka: 30 Years of Kampo, Nigel Dawes (2023-2024)

    • FACTS About Fertility: Continuum of Women's Healthcare (2023)

    2022

    • Kampo Study Group, Nigel Dawes (2022-2023)

    • Clinical Application of Kampo Medicine, Nigel Dawes (2022)

    • Bioethics, Institute for Catholic Culture (2022)

    • Functional Nutrition Clinical Immersion, BioLounge NW (2022)

    • Chronic Pain and Opioids, ECHO Oregon (2022)

    • FACTS About Fertility: The Future of Women's Healthcare (2022)

    • Yamamoto Scalp Acupuncture, Diane Iuliano (2022)

    2021

    • Kampo & COVID, Sunten, Watanabe Kenji (2021)

    2020

    • OAA Annual Conference (2020)

    • Polyvagal Theory, Joanne Donnolley (2020)

    • Chronic Pain & Opioids, CHP, Ryan Milley (2020)

    • COVID and TCM, OAA, Heiner Fruehauf (2020)

    • ECHO, various presenters on COVID-19 (2020)

    • Kampo, Post-COVID Syndrome, Gretchen DeSoriano (2020)

    2019

    • Biotics Conference on Inflammation (2019)

    • Applied Channel Theory, Jason Robertson (2019)

    2018

    • Shudo Style Acupuncture, High Desert Hari Society, Murata Sensei (2018)

    • Kampo and the Shang Han Lun, Nigel Dawes (2018)

    • OAA Annual Conference (2018)

    2017

    • Deepening Daishi Shonihari: Delving into Pediatric Japanese Acupuncture, Kuwahara K. (2017)

    • In-Touch Japan 8 Seminar, Tokyo and Shikoku, Japan (2017)

    • Daishi Shonihari: Non-Insertion Pediatric Acupuncture, OCOM, Junko Tanioka (2017)

    • Contact Needle Therapy for Cancer Patients, AIMC, Keiko Ogawa, MD (2017)

    • Integrative Pain Management Seminar, OCOM, Portland, OR, Monika Kobyleka (2017)

    2016

    • Meridian-Test Acupuncture, Fukuoka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan, Dr. Mukaino (2016)

    • Shiunko Kyu Moxa, Tokyo, Japan, Koshi Ishi Sensei (2016)

    2015

    • Pathologies & Formulas of the Decoction Classic and Dr. Tian Heming Case Studies, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2015)

    • Shudo Style Meridian Therapy: An Introduction to Strategies & Techniques, Stephen Brown (2015)

    2014

    • Shinkyu, Facial Acupuncture, Kitagawa Sensei (2014)

    • TANA National Training, Toyohari (2014)

    • Treatment of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, Tsuyoshi Shimamura (2014)

    • Caring for Iraq Veterans with TBI, Returning Veterans Project (2014)

    • Treating the Heart: A Gentle Approach to Trauma, PTSD and Depression, Funemizu Sensei (2014)

    • Treatment of Adrenal Insufficiency & Autonomic Nervous System Imbalances, Monika Kobyleka (2014)

    2013

    • Herbal First Aid: Stings, Strains, Cuts, Bites & More, Portland, OR, Rylen Feeney (2013)

    • Shang Han Lun Lines Retreat, New Orleans, LA, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2013)

    • Recognition, Assessment & Management of Patients with Mental Health & Substance Abuse/Addiction Issues in a Traditional Chinese Medicine Teaching Clinic, OCOM (2013)

    2012

    • Li Shi Zhen's Exposition on the 8 Extras in Clinical Practice, Portland, OR, Charles Chace (2012)

    • Anatomy and Cadaver Lab 2: The Neck, Shoulder and Upper Extremity, NESA (2012)

    2011

    • Toyo Hari Acupuncture, 9 weekends, Portland, OR (2011-2012)

    • Fukushin, Portland, OR, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2011)

    • Shaku Jyu Therapy, Kobayashi Sensei (2011)

    • Dr. Zeng Shang Han Lun Conference, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2011)

    • Liver Cleanse Qi Gong, Master Liu (2011)

    • Koshi Balancing, Jeffrey Dann (2011)

    • Ethics for the Chinese Medicine Practitioner, OCOM (2011)

    2010

    • Moxibustion Intensive, Junji Mizutani (2010)

    • Drug-Herb Interactions, OCOM, Dr. John Chen (2010)

    • Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture, Brenda Loew (2010)

    • OCOM Professional Development: Defining Scholarly Activity, Portland, OR (2010)

    • The Middle Way: Kampo Herbal Medicine for Digestive Disorders, Portland, OR, Nigel Dawes (2010)

    • Shang Han Lun Herbs, Canonical Chinese Medicine, 2 weekends, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2010)

    • Koshi Balancing, Jeffrey Dann (2010)

    2009

    • Jin Gui, Canonical Chinese Medicine, 5 weekends, Portland, OR, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2009-2010)

    2008

    • Kampo Medicine, Nigel Dawes (2008)

    • Shang Han Lun, Canonical Chinese Medicine, 7 weekends, Dr. Arnaud Versluys (2008-2009)

    • Shaku Jyu Core Acupuncture Therapy, NESA, Kobayashi Sensei (2008)

    • Moxibustion Intensive, Portland, OR, Junji Mizutani (2008)

    2007

    • Advanced Pulse Diagnosis, The Lotus Institute, Portland, OR, Jimmy Chang (2007)

    • Pain Management with Acupuncture and Herbs, Oregon Acupuncture Association Conference (2007)

    • Introduction to Kampo Herbal Medicine, Portland, OR, Nigel Dawes (2007)

    2006

    • Introduction to Thai Massage, Portland, OR, Bob Quinn (2006)

    • Sotai, Portland, OR, Bob Quinn (2006)

    • Chinese Herbs and Formulas; Ethics, Oregon Acupuncture Association Conference (2006)

    • Psycho-Emotional Disorders of the Shen, Kiiko Matsumoto (2006)

    2005

    • Dr. Richard Tan's Balance Method, The Lotus Institute (2005)

    • Drug-Herb Interactions, The Lotus Institute, Dr. John Chen (2005)

    • The Liver: Function, Imagery, Pathology, Points and Meridians, NESA, Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée (2005)

    • Deepening Rapport with Patients, NESA, Tom Balles (2005)

    2004

    • Teishin: Non-Insertive Japanese Needle Technique, NESA, Rachel Hartstein (2004)

    • Introduction to Kiiko-Style Acupuncture, David Euler (2004)

    • History of Ideas in Chinese Medicine: Ming Dynasty to Present, NESA, Jeffrey C. Yuen (2004)

    • Guasha, NESA, Arya Nielsen (2004)

    • Advanced Needling Technique, Brookline, MA, Dr. Cheng Xiao Ming (2004)

    • Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, NESA, Virginia Doran (2003, 2004)

    • Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture, NESA, Rachel Hartstein (2004)

    • Introduction to Toyo Hari: Traditional Japanese Meridian Acupuncture, NESA, Masters Nakada Koryo and Taniuchi Shuho (2004)

    • External Application of Chinese Herbs, NESA, Zhen Zhen Zhang (2004)

    2002

    • AcuYoga, NESA, Julie Bonnici (2002)

    • Taming the Dragon Within: Treating Autoimmune Disorders, NESA, Miki Shima (2002)

    • Pan Gu Mystical Qi Gong, NESA, Vincent Chu (2002)

    2001

    • Medical Qi Gong, NESA, Sanford Lee (2001)

    • Adjunct Faculty, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM): Advanced Acupuncture, Clinical Supervisor (2010-2024)

    • Fukushin: Shang Han Lun and Herbal Methods, White Pine Institute, Amherst, MA, 6 weekends (2019)

    • Dr. Manaka Ion Pumping Cord Seminar (2019)

    • Japanese Moxibustion, Promotores Descalzos, Juarez, Mexico (2014, 2017, 2019)

    • Fukushin Diagnosis, Institute for Classics in East Asian Medicine (ICEAM), Portland, OR; Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA (2011-2014)

    • Moxibustion Study Presentation, Doctoral Module on Research, OCOM (2013)

    • Teaching Assistant, Shonishin Seminar, Brenda Loew (2013)

    • Guest Lecturer, Moxibustion, Global Health Program, National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) (2012-2013)

    • Guest Lecturer, Sports Medicine, Concordia University (2011-2013)

    • Clinical Supervisor, NUNM (2010-2013)

    • Teaching Assistant, Doctoral Module in Japanese Acupuncture, OCOM (2012)

    • Sotai: The Basics and Beyond (2010, 2012)

    • Research Fellow, NUNM (2009-2012)

    • Teaching Assistant, Masters Program, OCOM: Advanced Acupuncture, OMRI, OMRII, Living Anatomy, Structural Diagnosis (2008-2010)

    • Guest Lecturer, Sports Medicine, University of Portland (2006-2008)

    • Adjunct Faculty, Everest Institute for Massage, Tigard, OR (2006-2008)

    • Teaching Assistant, Ion Pumping Cords Seminar, Bob Quinn (2006)

    • Teaching Assistant, New England School of Acupuncture (NESA), Watertown, MA: Anatomy, Point Location, Japanese Acupuncture (2004-2005)

    • Teaching Assistant, Shonishin and Teishin Seminar, Rachel Hartstein (2004)

  • Direct Moxibustion to treat Spleen Qi & Yang Deficiency Fatigue: A Pilot Study
    Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
    2013
    Download & Read →

    Master Thesis Reader
    National University of Natural Medicine
    2012

    Less Is More: Shonishin Seminar with Brenda Loew
    North American Journal of Oriental Medicine
    March 2011

    AcuGraph Inter-rater Reliability
    NUNM, Helfgott Research Institute
    participant
    2010

    Moxibustion Intensive with Junji Mitzutani
    North American Journal of Oriental Medicine
    Vol. 15, no. 43, July 2008

    The Power of Exercise: Using Exercise to Fight DiseasePresented at Mercy & Wisdom Healing Center and Tzu Chi Foundation
    2007

    Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications
    By John Chen & Tina Chen
    Editor, 3 chapters
    2006

  • Returning Veterans Project
    Acupuncturist
    Portland, OR
    2014-current

    Portland Veterans Acupuncture Project
    Acupuncturist
    Portland, OR
    2010-2014

    Mercy & Wisdom Clinic
    Acupuncturist
    2005-2007

    Parkinson’s Fitness Project
    YMCA
    Portland, OR
    2005-2006

    Acupuncturists Without Borders
    Clerical Assistant
    Portland, OR
    2005

    Mt. Auburn Hospital
    Eucharistic Minister
    Cambridge, MA
    2002

    The Haley House
    Marketing Consultant
    Boston, MA
    2000

    Portland Plunge
    Team Leader
    Portland, OR
    1989, 1990

  • Tracy Thorne Wellness LLC (Tracy Thorne Acupuncture)
    Portland, OR
    Proprietor
    2005-current

    Recess Wellness LLC
    Portland, OR
    Personal Trainer, Yoga & Group Fitness Instructor, Health Educator
    2006-2010

    YMCA
    Portland, OR
    Yoga & Fitness Instructor
    2005-2010

Tracy Thorne Acupuncture circular gold flower logo with four stylized petals around a central dot

Teaching & Learning in Community

University of Portland - Demonstrating acupuncture and moxibustion to the athletic training team, 2021

OCOM - Presenting moxibustion research to doctoral students during day-long seminar, 2014

Juarez, Mexico -Training community health promoters in moxibustion through the Promotores Descalzos border project; 2014, 2017, 2019

A woman with blonde hair and earrings is administering an injection to an older man with gray hair, in a medical setting. The man is seated, with his eyes closed, wearing a blue gown. There is a white container labeled "Waste container Needles Only"
Tracy Thorne demonstrating on a boy lying face down on a bed in a room with a dark bookshelf and a potted plant.
Four sports physical therapists in a medical training room, all wearing masks. Tracy is standing near a medical table, teaching acupuncture and moxibustion techniques to three seated students, with a purple wall and large window behind her.
Group of six women and one man seated around a table in a classroom or laboratory setting, with one woman standing. They appear to be engaged in a discussion, with some looking at a small red box on the table.
Tracy Thorne is sitting on the floor near a window, wearing glasses on her head, studying the information on a tablet with her hand near her mouth. There is a backpack beside her.
Tracy Thorne conducts an examination on a patient lying face down on a medical table, with another person observing in the background in a clinical setting.
A group of people practicing abdominal palpation techniques on their partners lying on cushions on tatami mats in a room with wooden walls and a large window.
Tracy Thorne is wearing a blue cardigan and face mask while she interacts with a patient lying on a medical examination table in a clinical setting with purple walls. She demonstrates moxibustion and acupuncture techniques.

What Patients Say About Tracy

You won’t find a better acupuncturist.

As someone who “hates needles,” I have ironically relied on Tracy as a PCP for the last four years. She’s helped me with health issues ranging from tachycardia to irregular periods, and muscle/joint pain to eczema. She is very knowledgeable, compassionate, and has provided excellent referrals as necessary.

JJ

Patient

I highly recommend Tracy for the whole family!

Tracy is very knowledgeable and professional. Her approach is very gentle and effective. She supported my physical and emotional well-being through pregnancy and postpartum… From infancy, Tracy has supported my children with colic, GI difficulties, mood/behavior, and overall health.

Julie Shannon

Occupational Therapist

I am so impressed with your knowledge of the human organism.

What I am most thankful for… your therapeutic treatments were significant in getting me ready for bilateral knee replacement and in aiding recovery from painful residuals of surgery in conjunction with PT.

Mike B.

Patient

Tracy is currently accepting new patients

Whether you’re new to Tracy or returning for care, start here to schedule your next appointment.

Book An Appointment →
Book An Appointment →