healing house calls
home-based acupuncture for gender-affirming surgery recovery
Hi, I’m claire
My goal is to deliver nourishing, thoughtful, affirmative care to you as you recover from gender-affirming surgery. After my own top surgery in 2023, I received daily acupuncture at home for nearly the first two weeks and I believe it made all the difference in my healing process. My pain was manageable, I slept well, and I generally felt that the edges of my post-surgical discomforts were softened. My hope is that my offering can create a more easeful and speedy recovery for you.
I draw on 8+ years as a bodyworker and thousands of treatments to inform how I approach your care. I have trained in acupuncture, biodynamic craniosacral, and Reiki and can incorporate any modality into your treatment. My approach is patient centered, trauma informed, light, grounded and intuitive.
I completed my acupuncture training at POCA Tech in Portland, while working as an intern at Working Class Acupuncture. I continue to practice as a community acupuncturist at WCA, and am passionate about offering affordable and accessible acupuncture. It is an honor to accompany patients through transitional moments in their life, and I sincerely look forward to working with you.
In my free time you’ll find me playing and talking about soccer, and swimming in the river.
claire bartlett
Licensed Acupuncturist
Pronouns: they/them
Acupuncture for surgery recovery
why get acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a centuries-old healing modality that uses hair-thin needles to adjust the flow of qi, or life energy, in the body. Acupuncture can be an immensely beneficial tool to support the physical and emotional aspects of undergoing surgery. Receiving acupuncture every day for the first ten days post-surgery can be the difference between a hard recovery and a more easeful one. It is a safe, gentle and effective treatment and can be incredibly powerful.
Acupuncture can:
reduce pain and inflammation
reduce the need for narcotic pain medicines
address nausea and other post-anesthesia symptoms
support immune function
improve circulation, thus reducing healing time
reduce stress
support mental and emotional wellness
support sleep
and more!
what to expect
You can begin to receive treatment as early as the day of your surgery. We will have a 10-20 minute meet-and-greet call or email before your surgery to discuss your goals, any specific needs, and plan the treatment arrangement. My intention is to set expectations ahead of time, so that we are navigating as little complexity as possible during your recovery.
I will treat you where you are most comfortable in the moment — it may be a couch, a chair, a bed. You will be fully clothed for your treatment, and most acupuncture needles will be placed on your limbs, head, and ears. Depending on your preference, I can also apply hands-on healing (reiki/craniosacral), or simply be nearby. Your treatment will last around 45 minutes.
what I recommend
Like many therapies, the efficacy of acupuncture depends on the ‘dosage’. The frequency with which you receive treatment makes a huge difference. Thus, to receive maximum benefit, the ideal approach is to be treated daily, for 10 days. You will almost certainly feel the benefit of one treatment, but the healing effects are greater when receiving a series of treatments.
Pricing
$115
single visit
Single visit includes 45-60 minutes of acupuncture in your home. If desired, your treatment can also involve Reiki or craniosacral therapy.
$500
5 visit package
5 visit package, valued at $100/treatment.
Treatments must be used within 3 months, but can be shared with friends/family.
$900
10 visit package
10-visit package, valued at $90/treatment.
10 treatments over the course of ten days beginning on or after the surgical date is the gold standard for recovery support!
Treatments must be used within 3 months, but can be shared with friends/family.
**all treatment plans include a complimentary 10-20 minute consultation call**
a note on accessibility
I am committed to making my services as transparent and accessible as possible. I have a select number of spots available for folks experiencing financial hardship. Please reach out if you need support in accessing my services and I will do my best to accommodate you. Additionally, I am creating a scholarship fund to increase the number of low cost spots I have available. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, your contribution is greatly appreciated and will the help the trans community to access affordable, affirming care.
Testimonials
katie k
Claire has both a unique and epically stunning perspective as a healer. They offer niche nourishment to community birthed from their personal experience. What more can we ask for when collaborating and co-creating the most comfortable, healing versions of both our physical and spiritual bodies? I will personally attest to Claire’s gold medal ability to “cocoon”, extending outwardly from their center to fully honor you on your individual healing journey. Claire is a true and absolute blessing. (Their needles told me so 🙋)
dodie d, LMT
“I have had the joy of being a patient of Claire's for years. Each treatment I've received from them has been grounding, healing and effective. Whether I'm experiencing chronic pain, emotional distress, or insomnia, they consistently meet me with a depth of care, acupuncture knowledge, and hands on skills.”
Todd W.
“Claire creates a powerful, soothing space for healing. Their attention to my body’s particular issues and their keen attunement to my body’s needs is a rare thing in today’s world, and gave me a deep peace and deep sense of being well-cared for.”
Contact me
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly.