What are the opening hours?

Monday 12:30pm - 7pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 1pm - 7:30pm Thursday 7am - 7pm Friday 7am - 1:30pm Saturday 9am - 3:30pm

The Origin Center

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United States
Portland, ME
The Origin Center

A truly holistic approach to care. We specialize in pain, skin, hormonal imbalance, gynecological an

03/23/2022

I like to think of this gentle cleanse as a sort of "spring cleaning" for your body, mind and Liver meridian system. If you are feeling like you need a reset, or experiencing any symptoms of "Liver qi stagnation" like irritability, anger, depression or fatigue, this might be perfect for you!

There's nothing fancy or difficult involved! Basically, pick a week (or weekend) where you can get a lot of rest and have time for some basic food prep. Stock the fridge with plenty of veggies that you enjoy eating warm, especially leafy greens. Recommendations include spinach, asparagus, broccoli, kale, collard greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, squash and artichoke.

For 3-5 days, plan to eat as many lightly steamed, roasted or baked veggies as you want! Minimize grains, fruits, legumes, oils, alcohol and animal products. Season veggies liberally with fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary. Consider adding sauerkraut or mild kimchi for additional probiotic benefit.

Take the time to tune into how your body feels physically, mentally and spiritually during your cleanse. Return your normal diet slowly, adding in small amounts of protein and other food groups as you feel ready.

*As with any type of cleanse or dietary change, consult your physician if you have any concerns about whether this might be a good option for you.

03/22/2022

From a patient testimonial regarding treatment for painful in*******se, which can be common in women with endometriosis, peri-menopausal women and in other instances as well.

"I wanted to let you know that s*x is only improving... I'm amazed at how my pain has diminished so quickly. I feel like a new woman! I can't tell you how much it means to me after several years of feeling less than. It's truly remarkable and I am so grateful for your perseverance… Seriously, thank you."

-email, Dec 2020

S*x shouldn't be painful. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation today.

03/21/2022

Spring has sprung! The sap is rising. Sprouts are unfurling. In Maine, fiddlehead season is around the corner. There is an incredible amount of upward and outward momentum in the spring as signs of life, growth and birth burst forth and inundate our senses after the stillness and slowness of winter.

From an East Asian medicine perspective, spring is also the season that is ruled by the Liver meridian. When Liver energy is balanced, it is responsible for creativity, evolution, insight, and planning. It bursts forth in spring with a plan for life.

However, if anything obstructs that dynamic Liver energy, the result can quickly be irritability, depression, anger, a sense of entrapment, and tension.

As delightful as spring feels after our long Maine winters, it's also not unusual for patients to report feeling more anger, irritability or depression -- even as spring blooms around us. If this feels true for you, reach out to a skilled practitioner at The Origin Center to help re-balance your liver and get things flowing. Acupuncture (as well as herbal medicine and lifestyle recommendations, such as movement practices like yoga, qigong or tai chi) can help restore the free flow of energy in the Liver, thus allowing for healthy growth and movement.

03/18/2022

The practitioners at The Origin Center have read and studied...a lot. We believe in empowering our patients by sharing the knowledge we have acquired through extensive study and practice.

One way we share knowledge is by creating "handouts" that we send to our patients to address their own unique health concerns. These include dietary recommendations, instructions for different kinds of self care practices at home, fertility basics, and much more.

While acupuncture sessions are incredibly healing, the lifestyle changes adopted by our patients often make the biggest difference in overall health, wellness and vitality.

Call the clinic today -- we would love to create an individualized healing plan for you.

03/17/2022

At The Origin Center, we are all about healthy and regular bowel movements. To build upon our last post that discussed how chronic constipation can impede hormone excretion and contribute to/exacerbate estrogen dominance, here are a few of our top tips for getting regular.

Drink your water. We recommend starting the day with 8oz of warm water with lemon juice, and then striving to drink about half your body weight in ounces during the day.

Eat foods that are high in fiber. These include fruit (as well as dried fruit in moderation), green leafy vegetables, cabbage (a Chinese medicine favorite for constipation), and whole grains.

Move your body! Regular exercises encourages peristalsis—the smooth muscle contraction that that moves things along your intestinal tract. Walking is one of the best exercises for digestion as it massages the intestines to regulate the bowels—a gentle 30min walk taken most days will be helpful, even in the absence of additional exercise.

Looking for more in-depth, personalized care and recommendations? Check out our website or call today to book your free consultation!

03/16/2022

Endometriosis can wreak havoc on women's bodies, causing menstrual cycle issues such as excruciating periods, pelvic pain, acne, painful s*x and heavy bleeding. But did you know that endometriosis can also involve chronic constipation, which in turn can lead to worsening symptoms of estrogen dominance, thus perpetuating symptoms.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dominant condition. Normally, excess hormones are bound through a methylation process in the liver and then excreted via the intestines in our p**p. If you are chronically constipated and your bowels aren't moving with regularity (ideally once a day at least!), the estrogen can be reabsorbed and go back into circulation -- in a more toxic form.

One way that acupuncture and East Asian herbal medicine can help improve endometriosis symptoms is by promoting regular bowel movements.

Do you suffer from endometriosis or hormone imbalance? Are you feeling chronically backed up? Reach out to The Origin Center for a free consult today!

03/11/2022

This cheerful yellow flower is a well-known and welcome beacon of spring! But did you know that the forsythia plant, known in East Asian medicine as Lian qiao, is used in many modern and ancient herbal formulations?

The part of the plant used in herbalism is the "fruit" rather than the flower, and is harvested in early- to mid- autumn.

Lian qiao is considered "bitter" and "cold" in nature and is often used in combination with other herbs to treat early signs of illness caused by heat and toxicity, such as a sore throat or fever. It can also be used topically to treat abscesses or nodules.

Our practitioners at The Origin Center are highly trained in herbal medicine as well as acupuncture. Schedule a visit today if you think East Asian herbs and acupuncture might be helpful to you!

Check out our website or call to book!

03/09/2022

At The Origin Center, we treat women of all ages who suffer from painful periods and other complications of endometriosis. In light of March being , we would like to share this simple breathing practice that can help soothe the nervous system and reduce acute premenstrual pelvic and low back pain, which can often be severe in women with this condition.

Physiologically, the pain and inflammation of endometriosis causes more muscle tension, including in the pelvic floor, which then exacerbates a seemingly infinite loop of pain and tension. Use the above practice to help release muscle tension while relaxing the mind.

If you or someone you love is struggling with endometriosis, the practitioners at The Origin Center have many tools to address the widespread pain, inflammation, fertility struggles and other issues that are woven into this complex presentation. Call today to learn more: periods don't have to be painful.

Keep an eye out here for more posts this month!

03/08/2022

To celebrate International Women's Day, we would like to share this image of Guanyin, who in Chinese mythology is the goddess of compassion. She is accompanied by mimosa flowers, which were chosen by Italian feminists in 1946 to embody women's strength, sensibility and sensitivity. It is a common practice in many countries to bestow a gift of flowers on this holiday that, for over 100 years, has celebrated women and continues to highlight areas of society where gender inequality persists.

This year, the UN has announced that the theme for International Women's Day is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow."

At The Origin Center, we approach women's health and wellness from a place of compassion and celebration, empowering women to find balance and strength on their unique wellness journeys.

Do you know any women who are pioneers in sustainability, equal rights or social justice? Are there women in your life who embody compassion in the spirit of Guanyin? Comment below!

03/03/2022

We love receiving happy news like this!

03/02/2022

We've been through a long winter, the second of a global pandemic. But have you noticed the forsythia buds are beginning to swell? One of the first signs that spring is on her way! Take a moment to step outside today, to pay attention to this and other signs of spring.

Address

55 Bell Street , 2nd Floor
Portland, ME
04103

Opening Hours

Monday	12:30pm - 7pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	1pm - 7:30pm
Thursday	7am - 7pm
Friday	7am - 1:30pm
Saturday	9am - 3:30pm

Website

https://www.theorigincenter.com/contact-us

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Our Mission

The Origin Center is on a mission to change the face of women's health care. We treat a wide variety of gynecological, reproductive, and obstetric issues using acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, diet, lifestyle, mindfulness, and targeted supplements. We’re here to treat the whole woman--from menarche to menopause, and beyond.